How Much Does Tree Trimming Cost?
By the crew at Framingham Tree Service. Updated October 2026.
Trimming prices swing more than removal prices because no two jobs are the same. A light cleanup on a young maple and a full crown job on a 70 foot oak over the house are both "tree trimming." Here is what typical jobs run around Framingham so you have a starting point.
Typical tree trimming prices
These are typical ranges for MetroWest work, not quotes. We price every job in writing after we see the trees.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Small ornamental tree (under 15 ft), like a crabapple or dogwood | $150 to $400 |
| Medium tree (15 to 40 ft) | $300 to $800 |
| Pruning a mature shade tree | $400 to $1,500 |
| Large tree over a house, with heavy rigging or a bucket truck | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Single limb removal over a roof or driveway | $250 to $800 |
| Roof and siding clearance on one side of the house | $250 to $700 |
| Hedge trimming, typical suburban yard | $200 to $600 |
| Long or tall hedge rows, like arborvitae screens | $500 and up |
What changes the price
- Height and spread. Bigger trees mean more climbing, more cuts and more brush. A wide oak takes longer than a narrow pine of the same height.
- What is under the tree. Branches over a roof, deck or pool have to be lowered on ropes instead of dropped. That slows the job down.
- Access. If we can park a bucket truck close, work goes faster. If everything has to be dragged to the street through a backyard, it costs more.
- Type of pruning. Removing deadwood only is cheaper than a full crown thinning or raising the lower limbs for clearance.
- Wires. We do not work near the main power lines between poles. Only the utility or its contractors can. In Framingham, call Eversource about branches on the lines that run pole to pole. Branches near the service drop to your house may need the utility to disconnect it first.
- Cleanup. Our estimates include chipping and hauling brush. If someone else's price is much lower, check whether cleanup is in it.
Ways to save
- Do several trees on one visit. The crew and equipment are already there.
- Prune on a cycle. Trees pruned every three to five years need less work each time.
- Book in late fall or winter. That is the best season for most trees anyway. See our pruning calendar.
- Keep the wood from larger limbs for firewood.
What about arborist cost?
People ask what it costs to have an arborist look at a tree. Our estimates and tree inspections are free. We will tell you if a tree needs pruning, cabling or removal, and we will tell you if it needs nothing at all. A written report for an insurance claim, a property sale or a dispute with a neighbor takes more time, so we price that separately. Learn more about our arborist services.
Watch out for topping
If a price sounds cheap because someone plans to cut the whole top off the tree, say no. Topping leaves big wounds that rot and sends up weak sprouts that break in storms. Good pruning removes the right branches back to a proper point and keeps the tree's natural shape.
Ready for a price? Read about our tree trimming and hedge trimming services, or request a free estimate. We will walk the yard with you and put every tree on the estimate.
Common Questions
- How often should trees be trimmed?
- Most mature shade trees do well with pruning every three to five years. Young trees benefit from lighter work every couple of years to set good structure.
- Is tree trimming cheaper in winter?
- Winter is often a good time to book. Leaves are down, the ground is firm, and it is the best pruning season for most trees, including oaks.
- Do you trim branches near power lines?
- We do not work near the main lines between poles. Only the utility or its contractors can. In Framingham, that is Eversource. We can handle branches away from the lines.