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Last reviewed 2026-10-19

Tree Removal Cost: Hennepin County, MN

Most Hennepin County tree jobs are ash and elm. Emerald ash borer is killing ash across Minneapolis and the suburbs, Dutch elm disease still claims American elms, and big silver maples, oaks and basswoods on older lots in Edina, St. Louis Park and Minnetonka need attention after summer storms. HomeGuide's February 2026 national survey puts a typical removal at $400 to $1,200, ash at $650 to $2,000 and maple at $600 to $1,200.

The county's woods are mixed hardwood. The Forest Service's 2025 FIA evaluation for Minnesota estimates about 42,400 acres of forest land in Hennepin County: oak/hickory 39.6%, maple/beech/birch 24.3% and elm/ash/cottonwood 22.0%.

The Census Bureau's Building Permits Survey counts 1,523 single-family buildings authorized in Hennepin County in 2025, after 2,054 in 2024.

Cost at a glance

Hennepin County tree removal cost at a glance
Item	Typical cost	Source
Typical single tree	$400-$1,200	HomeGuide, Feb 2026 (national)
Ash	$650-$2,000	HomeGuide, Feb 2026 (national)
Maple	$600-$1,200	HomeGuide, Feb 2026 (national)
Stump removal	$100-$500+	HomeGuide, Feb 2026 (national)
MPRB administrative fee on condemned-tree removals	$80	Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

Permits

We found no county permit for removing a tree on your own residential lot; cities handle street (boulevard) trees and development rules. In Minneapolis, boulevard trees belong to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), so ask MPRB Forestry before touching one.

Disease orders: under Minnesota Statute Chapter 18G.13 and its own ordinances, MPRB inspects private trees in Minneapolis and condemns those infested with emerald ash borer or infected with Dutch elm disease. Owners get 23 days to remove a diseased elm and 60 days for an infested ash. If MPRB's contractor does the work, the bill covers the contractor's fee, an $80 administrative fee and sales tax, and unpaid amounts can be assessed to property taxes.

Disposal: Hennepin County doesn't run its own yard waste site, so brush goes to private or city-run sites. Minneapolis curbside yard waste takes branches and brush less than 3 feet long and less than 3 inches thick; anything larger needs a hauler or a drop-off site.

Step 1: check whether the tree is on your lot or the boulevard. Step 2: if you received a condemnation notice, note the 23- or 60-day deadline. Step 3: plan chipping, curbside bundles or a drop-off site. Step 4: compare itemized written bids that include haul-off. Step 5: call Gopher State One Call (811) before stump grinding.

Local conditions

Wet soils near the lakes: NRCS soil survey data for Hennepin County (MN053) rate 19.1% of mapped acres hydric and 26.6% somewhat poorly or poorly drained, with a water table within about a foot (30 cm) on 25.0%, mostly near the lakes and wetlands west of Minneapolis around Lake Minnetonka; trees on saturated soil tip in storms.

Little rock: bedrock within about 39 inches shows up on almost none of the county's mapped acres, so stump grinding is usually straightforward.

Storms and floods: summer gusts along the Mississippi River corridor and across the western suburbs do most of the damage. FEMA's declarations data list 12 weather-related major disasters for Hennepin County, including 6 floods, 5 severe storms and a tornado declaration, the last in 2016.

Ash decline: the county's ash trees are dying from emerald ash borer, and dead ash gets brittle quickly, which raises climbing risk and cost.

What drives local prices

Species: HomeGuide's table lists ash at $650-$2,000, maple at $600-$1,200 and oak at $300-$2,500; dead ash often needs a lift instead of climbing.
Height: a 60-80 ft elm or maple is $850-$2,000 in HomeGuide's height table.
Access: narrow alleys and power lines in older neighborhoods limit equipment; HomeGuide lists hourly rates of $100-$400+.
Disposal: curbside brush is limited to pieces under 3 feet by 3 inches, so trunks are chipped or hauled; HomeGuide puts chipping at $50-$100.
Stump: HomeGuide's survey puts stump removal at $100-$500+.
Method: species, height, hourly, chipping and stump figures are HomeGuide national ranges (Feb 4, 2026); disease-order rules come from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board; curbside limits from the City of Minneapolis; disposal notes from Hennepin County. These are not quotes from local crews. Checked October 19, 2026.

Common jobs

Ash removal (emerald ash borer)
Dutch elm disease removals
Storm-damage cleanup after straight-line winds
Stump grinding

Service area

We hear from Minneapolis, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Edina, St. Louis Park and Wayzata. I-94 and I-35W cross Minneapolis, I-394 runs west toward Wayzata, I-494 loops the southern and western suburbs, US 169 runs north-south on the west side, and Highway 100 links Edina, St. Louis Park and Golden Valley.

Xcel Energy serves most of the county; only its crews should handle limbs near lines.

Want a number? Send the species, rough height and what's underneath through the free form below. We reply by email with next steps and, where we know them, insured Twin Cities crews.

Communities: Minneapolis, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Edina, St. Louis Park, Wayzata

When something can’t wait

If a storm drops a tree on the house or a line, stay back and call Xcel Energy or 911 before anyone cuts. HomeGuide's survey says emergency crews often charge 2 to 3 times standard rates; cities often announce storm brush collection after big events.

Questions about Hennepin County

How much does tree removal cost in Hennepin County?

HomeGuide's 2026 survey puts a typical tree at $400 to $1,200. Large or dead ash and elms near houses cost more.

What if MPRB condemns my tree?

You have 23 days for a diseased elm or 60 days for an infested ash. If MPRB's contractor removes it, you pay the contractor's fee plus an $80 administrative fee and tax.

Can I cut down a boulevard tree in Minneapolis?

No. Boulevard trees belong to MPRB; contact MPRB Forestry.

How big can curbside branches be in Minneapolis?

Less than 3 feet long and less than 3 inches thick.

Is there a county yard waste site?

No. Hennepin County points residents to private and city-run sites.

Sources

Tree problems

Local fees and rules change. Confirm with the county or state office named above before you clear. For published price ranges, see land clearing cost per acre or follow the worked estimate. Estimate your clearing cost.