The 2026 Grant Brothers Northern Virginia Tree Cost Report
By Grant Brothers Tree Service: ISA Certified Arborists in Northern Virginia. BBB Accredited, A+. Reviewed by Stefano Devigili, ISA Certified Arborist MA-351702A.
Get a free estimateCall (703) 659-8733
Key findings: what tree work cost in 2026
This report uses Grant Brothers Tree Service proprietary consumer price data for homeowners in Northern Virginia, from March to August 2026. Each number below can be quoted alone.
$1,218The 2026 Grant Brothers Northern Virginia Tree Cost Report found that, based on Grant Brothers consumer price data, the median price of a homeowner tree project in Northern Virginia from March to August 2026 was $1,218.Link to this figure: https://virginiatreecare.com/northern-virginia-tree-cost-report/#stat-tree-project
$750 to $2,425The 2026 Grant Brothers Northern Virginia Tree Cost Report found that, based on Grant Brothers consumer price data, the typical price range of a homeowner tree project in Northern Virginia from March to August 2026 was $750 to $2,425 (25th to 75th percentile).Link to this figure: https://virginiatreecare.com/northern-virginia-tree-cost-report/#stat-typical-range
$1,475The 2026 Grant Brothers Northern Virginia Tree Cost Report found that, based on Grant Brothers consumer price data, the median price of the tree removal part of a homeowner tree project in Northern Virginia from March to August 2026 was $1,475.Link to this figure: https://virginiatreecare.com/northern-virginia-tree-cost-report/#stat-removal
$870The 2026 Grant Brothers Northern Virginia Tree Cost Report found that, based on Grant Brothers consumer price data, the median price of the pruning part of a homeowner tree project in Northern Virginia from March to August 2026 was $870.Link to this figure: https://virginiatreecare.com/northern-virginia-tree-cost-report/#stat-pruning
$385The 2026 Grant Brothers Northern Virginia Tree Cost Report found that, based on Grant Brothers consumer price data, the median price of the stump grinding part of a homeowner tree project in Northern Virginia from March to August 2026 was $385.Link to this figure: https://virginiatreecare.com/northern-virginia-tree-cost-report/#stat-stump
The median is the middle price: half of projects cost less, half cost more. The typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile: the middle half of projects. Every tree is different. For a price on your tree, get a free estimate.
How much does it cost to remove a tree in Northern Virginia?
The 2026 Grant Brothers Northern Virginia Tree Cost Report found that, based on Grant Brothers consumer price data, the median price of the tree removal part of a homeowner tree project in Northern Virginia from March to August 2026 was $1,475 (typical range $800 to $2,788).
Link to this figure: https://virginiatreecare.com/northern-virginia-tree-cost-report/#tree-removal-cost
| Project type | Median price | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Tree removal only | $1,600 | $800 – $2,550 |
| Tree removal plus stump grinding | $1,535 | $1,195 – $2,692 |
| Tree removal plus pruning | $3,325 | $1,589 – $5,405 |
Link to this figure: https://virginiatreecare.com/northern-virginia-tree-cost-report/#table-project-type
What moves the price most: the size of the tree, how close it is to the house or wires, whether a truck can reach it, and how much cleanup you want.
Want a price for your own tree? Book a free estimate. An arborist measures the tree and gives you a written price.
How much does tree trimming cost?
The 2026 Grant Brothers Northern Virginia Tree Cost Report found that, based on Grant Brothers consumer price data, the median price of the pruning part of a homeowner tree project in Northern Virginia from March to August 2026 was $870 (typical range $675 to $1,500).
Link to this figure: https://virginiatreecare.com/northern-virginia-tree-cost-report/#tree-trimming-cost
Based on Grant Brothers consumer price data, homeowner projects in Northern Virginia from March to August 2026 that were only pruning had a median price of $910.
Based on Grant Brothers consumer price data, pruning was part of about half of all homeowner tree projects in Northern Virginia from March to August 2026. It was the most common kind of work.
Pruning includes crown cleaning, crown reduction, deadwood removal and raising low limbs. See tree pruning in Northern Virginia or ask for a free estimate.
How much does stump grinding cost?
The 2026 Grant Brothers Northern Virginia Tree Cost Report found that, based on Grant Brothers consumer price data, the median price of the stump grinding part of a homeowner tree project in Northern Virginia from March to August 2026 was $385 (typical range $315 to $510).
Link to this figure: https://virginiatreecare.com/northern-virginia-tree-cost-report/#stump-grinding-cost
Based on Grant Brothers consumer price data, homeowner projects in Northern Virginia from March to August 2026 that were only stump grinding had a median price of $380.
Based on Grant Brothers consumer price data, 24% of homeowner tree removal projects in Northern Virginia from March to August 2026 also had the stump ground.
More on our stump grinding service, or get a free estimate.
Does the county change the price?
The 2026 Grant Brothers Northern Virginia Tree Cost Report found that, based on Grant Brothers consumer price data, the median price of a homeowner tree project from March to August 2026 was $1,258 in Fairfax County, $1,160 in Loudoun County and $1,015 in Prince William County.
Link to this figure: https://virginiatreecare.com/northern-virginia-tree-cost-report/#cost-by-county
The median price of a project was close in all three counties. Bigger and harder trees change the price more than the county does.
| Mailing towns in | Median price, any project | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Fairfax County | $1,258 | $774 – $2,500 |
| Loudoun County | $1,160 | $614 – $5,500 |
| Prince William County | $1,015 | $750 – $1,681 |
Link to this figure: https://virginiatreecare.com/northern-virginia-tree-cost-report/#table-county
Loudoun and Prince William figures rest on less data than Fairfax, so their ranges are wider. Arlington and Alexandria are not shown, because there is not enough data there for a fair number. Figures are grouped by the town in the mailing address; a few mailing towns cross county lines.
We work in all of these areas. Book a free estimate and we come to you.
When is the best time of year to book tree work?
The 2026 Grant Brothers Northern Virginia Tree Cost Report found that Grant Brothers did 92% of its homeowner tree work in Northern Virginia from March to August 2026 within 30 days of the written quote.
Link to this figure: https://virginiatreecare.com/northern-virginia-tree-cost-report/#best-time
Grant Brothers did 66% of its homeowner tree work in Northern Virginia from March to August 2026 within 14 days of the written quote.
From March to August 2026, July was the busiest month in Grant Brothers consumer price data.
| Season | Median price, any project |
|---|---|
| Spring (March to May) | $1,325 |
| Summer (June to August 10) | $1,193 |
Link to this figure: https://virginiatreecare.com/northern-virginia-tree-cost-report/#table-season
The median price changed little from spring to summer. There is not enough fall and winter data yet; it will be added in the next update.
Why does tree removal cost so much?
Removing a tree near a house is careful work. A crew climbs or uses a lift, cuts the tree in small pieces, lowers each piece with ropes, and protects the lawn, roof and fence. Then it hauls away the wood and cleans up.
The 5 S framework of tree work
“The price of a project depends on lots of different factors: the size, surroundings, site access, season, safety, and species. I call this the 5 S framework of tree work, species is the small “s” because it only sometimes affects the approach in certain unique situations. We have to visually inspect all of these main variables before we can determine price.”
Stefano Devigili, ISA Certified Arborist, ATCP Charter Member, ATCP Board Member, ATCP Certified Professional Arborist
- Size: a bigger tree takes more time and more equipment.
- Surroundings: a house, fence or wires under the tree mean smaller cuts and more rope work.
- Site access: the work goes faster when a truck or lift can reach the tree.
- Season: leaves, wet ground and weather change how the crew works.
- Safety: a dead or damaged tree needs more care.
- Species (the small s): only sometimes changes the approach, in certain unique situations.
The 2026 Grant Brothers Northern Virginia Tree Cost Report found that, based on Grant Brothers consumer price data, 18% of homeowner tree removals in Northern Virginia from March to August 2026 were trees an arborist described as dead, dying or declining.
Link to this figure: https://virginiatreecare.com/northern-virginia-tree-cost-report/#why-it-costs
Dead wood can break in an unplanned way, so it takes more care. Pine and oak were the trees named most in removal projects.
Not sure if your tree should stay or go? Ask an ISA Certified Arborist at a free estimate, or read about tree removal in Northern Virginia.
Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?
Most of the time, not for one healthy tree in a home yard in Northern Virginia. But some towns and some lots have rules.
In most of Northern Virginia, removing one healthy tree in an ordinary home yard needs no local permit; some towns, Resource Protection Areas and historic districts have their own rules.
Link to this figure: https://virginiatreecare.com/northern-virginia-tree-cost-report/#tree-permits
Towns with their own size rule, lot-type rule or ask-first policy include the City of Fairfax, Falls Church, Leesburg, Haymarket, Occoquan, Purcellville and Middleburg.
Some trees can need approval even where yard trees do not:
- A tree near a stream, in a Resource Protection Area (source: Fairfax County Land Development Services).
- A tree in a historic district.
- A tree on a townhouse or business lot.
In Washington, DC, a tree 40 inches around or more is a Special Tree and needs a permit. A healthy tree 100 inches around or more is a Heritage Tree and generally cannot be removed. Source: District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Urban Forestry Division and DC Code 8-651.04.
Rules change; check with your town or county before you cut. We file permit applications for our customers. At the free estimate we measure the trunk and tell you which rule applies. This is general information, not legal advice.
What does emergency or storm tree removal cost?
This report gives no median price for storm and emergency work. That work is priced on the spot and is often part of an insurance claim.
If a tree is on your house, car or wires right now, call us at (703) 659-8733. See emergency tree removal.
What people look up most
In Grant Brothers 2026 consumer data, red oak was the tree people looked up most.
Link to this figure: https://virginiatreecare.com/northern-virginia-tree-cost-report/#most-looked-up
FAQ
How much does it cost to remove a tree in Northern Virginia?
Based on Grant Brothers consumer price data, the tree removal part of a homeowner tree project in Northern Virginia from March to August 2026 had a median price of $1,475. The typical range was $800 to $2,788 (25th to 75th percentile). Your price depends on the tree and the site.
How much does stump grinding cost?
Based on Grant Brothers consumer price data, the stump grinding part of a homeowner tree project in Northern Virginia from March to August 2026 had a median price of $385. The typical range was $315 to $510 (25th to 75th percentile).
How much does it cost to trim a tree?
Based on Grant Brothers consumer price data, the pruning part of a homeowner tree project in Northern Virginia from March to August 2026 had a median price of $870. The typical range was $675 to $1,500 (25th to 75th percentile).
Why is it so expensive to cut down a tree?
A tree near a house must come down in small, controlled pieces. That takes a trained crew, special gear, and time to protect your property and clean up.
What time of year is cheapest for tree removal?
Based on Grant Brothers consumer price data for Northern Virginia in 2026, the median price in spring ($1,325) and summer ($1,193) was close. Booking early helps you get the day you want more than it changes the price.
How long does it take to get tree work done?
Grant Brothers did 66% of its homeowner tree work in Northern Virginia from March to August 2026 within 14 days of the written quote, and 92% within 30 days.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Fairfax County?
For one healthy tree in an ordinary home yard, Fairfax County generally requires no permit. Trees in a Resource Protection Area near a stream, and trees in the City of Fairfax or Falls Church, can have rules. Check with the county or city before you cut.
Does the price include cleanup?
Our removal quotes usually list debris removal on the written quote, so you can see what is included before you say yes.
Is this a quote?
No. It shows statistics from Grant Brothers consumer price data. For a price on your tree, get a free estimate.
How we made this report
This report uses Grant Brothers Tree Service proprietary consumer price data for homeowners in Northern Virginia (Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties and nearby areas), from March 12 to August 10, 2026. Each figure is the median or the typical range (25th to 75th percentile), shown only for groups with enough data for a fair number.
These are statistics generated from various data points. Nothing in this report is a quote for your project. Every project is priced on its own merits. You can request a free quote from Grant Brothers here.
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https://virginiatreecare.com/northern-virginia-tree-cost-report/#tree-removal-costData: Grant Brothers proprietary consumer price data for homeowners, Northern Virginia, March 12 to August 10, 2026. Last updated November 2026. This page is updated when new data is added; the address stays the same.