There's no single answer to "how much for a tree removal." It's like asking "how much for a car." Honest arborists won't quote a hard number off a phone description, but we can tell you the realistic ranges, the factors that move price, and the line items you should see in a proper written quote.
Typical NZ tree removal price ranges
These are rough 2026 NZ ranges based on common residential jobs. Your actual quote depends on the specifics.
- Small tree, under 6m, open access: $350–$700
- Medium tree, 6–12m, average access: $700–$1,800
- Large tree, 12–20m, average access: $1,800–$4,500
- Very large tree, 20m+, average access: $4,500–$10,000+
- Tight-site dismantling (any height): add 30–60%
- Crane-assist removal: add $1,500–$4,000 depending on crane time
- Stump grinding (single residential stump): $180–$600
- Stump grinding (large multi-stem stump): $600–$1,800
What moves the price
Height & spread
Bigger trees take longer and use more rigging. The cost difference between a 10m tree and a 20m tree is rarely double, it's usually more like triple or quadruple, because the rigging, climbing time and brash volume all scale faster than height.
Species
Hardwoods take longer to cut and process than softwoods. Some species, old plums, dead willows, are structurally unreliable and have to be approached more cautiously, which costs time.
Access
Truck-on-verge versus barrow-everything-through-the-side-passage is the single biggest cost mover after height. A job where the chipper truck can park within 10m of the tree might be half the price of the same job where chip has to be moved 60m to the truck.
Targets
Houses, fences, neighbours' property, glasshouses, swimming pools, powerlines, every "target" within reach of the tree increases the rigging complexity. More rigging = more time = more cost.
Disposal
Chip and small brash chip into the truck cheaply. Big rounds and stumps go on hourly disposal. The bigger the tree, the bigger the disposal bill.
Traffic management
Roadside trees needing a Site-Specific Traffic Management Plan (STMS-prepared) typically add $500–$2,000 depending on road class and duration.
Crane vs climb
A crane day-rate is significant ($1,500–$3,500) but for large trees in tight sites it can save money by halving the on-site time. The math doesn't always favour cranes for small jobs.
Council consent
Protected trees needing resource consent add $500–$2,500 in arborist's report fees plus council application fees, plus a 4–10 week timeline.
What a good written quote includes
- Identification of which tree(s), species, location, access point.
- Method (sectional dismantle, fell, crane-assist).
- Treatment of brash (chipped on site, removed) and wood (rounds left, removed, mulched).
- Whether stump grinding is included or separate.
- Disposal/dump fees.
- Traffic management if needed.
- Site set-up and exclusion zones.
- Estimated duration on site.
- Variation policy, what happens if something unexpected comes up.
- Insurance certificate available on request.
Red flags in a quote
- "From $X" pricing with no commitment.
- No mention of disposal.
- Stump grinding "additional" with no amount given.
- No insurance details.
- Cash-only, no GST, no written quote.
- A quote that's 30%+ below every other quote, there's a reason.