Cost of Arborist vs. Tree Trimmer

Trees can become hazardous when they get too large and then die, which makes it possible for the trees to fall and cause property damage or injury. Property owners can save money using tree trimmers. However, these tree trimming tools are difficult to use and some property owners choose to hire arborists instead.

Arborists are tree specialists who focus on tree diseases as well as pruning and removing trees. Arborists charge money for tree cutting depending on how large the tree is, since larger trees are harder to manage, take more time to cut down or prune and have the potential to cause more problems than smaller trees. If cutting down the tree requires a special piece of equipment, the arborist will charge the property owner for this equipment, even if the arborist owns the equipment. Equipment requires maintenance when used frequently. The types of equipment that arborists might need beyond a chainsaw and tree trimmer are cranes, which allow the arborist to move particularly large trees, and wood chippers for trees that are too large to carry away.

Avoid paying for tree removal when the tree is in a condition where it can continue to stand without any danger. When you notice that the tree has die-back, deadwood or decay, however, consider hiring an arborist to evaluate the tree. You can save more money from this consultation than you can save by renting a tree trimmer. Waiting to have the tree examined can cost you more money in the long run because trees can become increasingly unstable over time, which can make the tree more difficult to manage, thus driving up the costs.

Trees that are in more challenging locations can also cost more money to trim or remove. More expensive areas include areas near power lines, in between houses and on hills. As the tree removal process gets more expensive, you can save more money by renting a tree trimmer and removing the tree yourself. But there is also more that can go wrong and you are more likely to cause damage to surrounding property or even sustain injuries.

Save money by using both an arborist and a tree trimmer. Simply hire the arborist to cut down the tree and then finish the cleanup process with a chainsaw, if you know how to use the chainsaw properly. Cleanup can be time-consuming, but is not as dangerous as cutting down the tree.

For thinner branches, use pruners to cut through the branches. Small hand pruners cost less than $20 in 2011. Pole pruners allow you to reach higher branches without climbing a ladder. They cost more than hand pruners, but less than chainsaws. Specific figures for how much arborists cost are not feasible since they must give you the estimate based on the job; however, according to Cost Helper, removal of a small tree might cost under $500, while a larger tree might cost $1,000 or more.