Alpharetta Tree Removal Cost Guide
Tree removal prices vary more than most home services because every tree and lot is different. Height is the biggest driver, followed by access, how close the tree is to the house or power lines, and what cleanup is included. In Alpharetta, permits and possible replanting also belong in the budget.
The table below collects published 2026 estimates. They are national figures, not quotes, but they help you judge whether local bids are in a sensible range.
Height and size
Published estimates put trees up to 30 feet at $150–$450, 30–60 feet at $450–$1,200, 60–80 feet at $800–$1,500 and over 80 feet at $1,000–$2,000 or more. Many North Fulton pines and tulip poplars fall in the 60-to-100-foot range, so mature backyard trees often price toward the upper bands.
Access and risk
A tree in an open front yard that a bucket truck can reach is the least expensive case. Backyard trees behind fences, on slopes or over the house must be climbed and lowered in sections with rigging, which takes longer and needs more crew. Published estimates suggest hard-to-reach or risky trees can cost 25 to 50 percent more. Crane work, when needed, adds about $500 or $250–$600 per day.
Cleanup, stumps and wood
Ask whether the quote includes hauling away wood and brush, chipping, raking and stump grinding. Stump grinding is often separate at about $120–$400 per stump in published estimates. Some homeowners keep firewood-length logs to save on haul-off.
Permits and arborist reports
Most tree removal in Alpharetta needs a permit under UDC §3.2.4. The City's online application has no submission fee according to its instructions, but specimen trees require a professional risk assessment, which is a separate cost. If removal drops the lot below the City's tree density standard, replanting adds cost too.
Getting comparable quotes
Get at least two written quotes for the same scope: which trees, whether the stump is ground and how deep, whether wood is hauled or left, cleanup of lawn and beds, protection of driveways, and who obtains the permit. Ask each provider for proof of insurance before work begins.
Published tree service cost estimates
| Service | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tree removal, up to 30 ft | $150–$450 | Angi 2026 |
| Tree removal, 30–60 ft | $450–$1,200 | Angi 2026 |
| Tree removal, 60–80 ft | $800–$1,500 | Angi 2026 |
| Tree removal, over 80 ft | $1,000–$2,000+ | Angi 2026 |
| Pine tree removal | $250–$1,500 | Angi 2026 |
| Stump grinding | $120–$400 per stump (about $2–$5 per inch of diameter) | Angi 2026 |
| Tree trimming, 25–50 ft tree | $150–$800 | Angi 2026 |
| Crane service when needed | about $500, or $250–$600 per day | Angi 2026 |
| Arborist report (where a municipality requires one) | about $860 average | Angi 2026 |
Sources: Angi: Tree removal cost (2026); Angi: Stump grinding cost (2026); Angi: Tree trimming cost (2026). Figures are published national or regional estimates compiled by those sites, labeled as estimates; they are not quotes and not prices from any provider on this site. Alpharetta's tree removal permit application has no submission fee according to the City's instructions; arborist reports and replanting are separate costs.
Local rules and code references
- City of Alpharetta UDC §3.2.4, permit for non-development activity (Municode): a tree removal permit is required except for routine pruning and exemptions; the application needs the reason and a sketch or photo identifying size and species; specimen trees need a risk assessment by a qualified professional; complete applications are decided within 10 working days; permits are issued for dead, damaged or diseased trees and for non-specimen trees if minimum density is maintained.
- City of Alpharetta UDC §3.2, Tree Conservation, Landscape, and Buffer Requirements (Municode): defines specimen trees by species and trunk diameter (for example 30 inches for pines, 24 inches for most other overstory genera, 8 inches for understory trees) and sets tree protection and density rules.
- City of Alpharetta Guidance Document for UDC Article III §3.2: tree density standard of 130 inches per acre (SDF − EDF = RDF), specimen tree health assessment at ISA Level 2 or higher, and tree care under ANSI A300 standards.
- City of Alpharetta Online Tree Removal Permit Application Instructions: how to apply through the City's online permit portal under the Tree Permits category.
Code text and department procedures change; confirm current requirements with the jurisdiction before work starts.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does tree removal cost in Alpharetta?
- Published 2026 national estimates put most single-tree removals between about $200 and $2,000, with an average around $750; height, access and nearby structures move the price.
- Why is backyard tree removal more expensive?
- Backyard trees often have to be climbed and lowered in sections because trucks cannot reach them, which takes more time, equipment and crew.
- Is stump grinding included in tree removal?
- Often not. Published estimates put stump grinding at about $120–$400 per stump when priced separately.
- Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Alpharetta?
- Usually yes. UDC §3.2.4 requires a tree removal permit for non-development tree removal, except routine or seasonal pruning and listed exemptions. Apply through the City's online permit portal.
- Does homeowners insurance pay for tree removal?
- Policies often cover removal when a tree falls on a covered structure; check your policy and talk to your insurer before removing debris.
- What is a specimen tree in Alpharetta?
- Under UDC §3.2, a specimen tree meets size thresholds such as 30 inches in diameter for pines, 30 inches for sweetgum and tulip poplar, 20 inches for beech, tupelo, persimmon, sassafras and large Southern magnolias, 24 inches for most other overstory trees, and 8 inches for understory trees (10 inches for sourwood).
Related local guides
- City of Alpharetta Tree Removal Permit Rules
- Crabapple Area Tree Service Guide
- Dead Tree Removal in Alpharetta
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