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Last reviewed 2026-10-19

Tree Removal Cost: Spartanburg County, SC

Spartanburg County tree work splits between storm cleanup and growth. Hurricane Helene's winds in September 2024 left broken white oaks, poplars and loblolly pines across the county, and new subdivisions around Boiling Springs, Duncan and Lyman keep the clearing crews busy. HomeGuide's February 2026 national survey puts a typical removal at $400 to $1,200, oak at $300 to $2,500 and pine at $250 to $1,600.

This is hardwood country with pine mixed in. The Forest Service's 2025 FIA evaluation for South Carolina estimates about 216,600 acres of forest land in Spartanburg County, 66.8% of it oak/hickory, 13.6% loblolly/shortleaf pine and 12.5% oak/pine.

Home building is climbing fast. The Census Bureau's Building Permits Survey counts 3,986 single-family buildings authorized in Spartanburg County in 2025, up from 3,089 in 2024 and 2,824 in 2023, and most new lots start with land clearing.

Cost at a glance

Spartanburg County tree removal cost at a glance
Item	Typical cost	Source
Typical single tree	$400-$1,200	HomeGuide, Feb 2026 (national)
Oak (most common forest group here)	$300-$2,500	HomeGuide, Feb 2026 (national)
Pine	$250-$1,600	HomeGuide, Feb 2026 (national)
Land clearing, per acre	$1,200-$8,000	HomeGuide, Feb 2026 (national)
Emergency storm work	2-3x standard rates	HomeGuide, Feb 2026 (national)
Burning without SCFC notice, first offense	Up to $200 fine	S.C. Code 48-35-60
Repeat offense within ten years	$500 or more	S.C. Code 48-35-60

Permits

We found no county permit for cutting a tree on a private residential lot outside a development review; check city rules and your HOA.

Burning outside city limits falls under S.C. Code Section 48-35-10: before you burn woods, brush or yard debris near flammable material you must notify the S.C. Forestry Commission (Spartanburg's notification line is 1-800-517-9640, or use scfc.gov), clear around the pile, have enough tools and help on hand, and stay with the fire. Section 48-35-30 says the chapter doesn't apply inside a town or city, where the city's own fire rules govern.

Penalties: under Section 48-35-60 a first violation can bring a fine of not more than $200 or up to 30 days in jail, and a repeat within ten years a fine of not less than $500. The State Forester can also stop all outdoor burning during dry spells.

Disposal: Spartanburg County Solid Waste runs a wood chipping and grinding facility and a Class Two landfill for construction, demolition and land-clearing debris at the Wellford Landfill; ask the county for current fees before hauling.

Step 1: check whether you're inside a city (city fire rules) or in the county (SCFC notice). Step 2: choose chipping, haul-off to Wellford or a notified burn. Step 3: check the fall zone for the house, fences and Duke Energy or co-op lines. Step 4: compare itemized written bids. Step 5: call SC 811 before stump grinding.

Local conditions

Red clay and rolling ground: NRCS soil survey data for Spartanburg County (SC083) put 55.5% of mapped acres at 8% slope or more and 19.9% at 15% or more, steepest north toward Landrum and the Blue Ridge foothills, so trees on slopes need rigging and drop zones.

Shallow rock: the same NRCS survey finds bedrock within about 39 inches (100 cm) on 24.9% of mapped acres, most of it in the hilly northwest near the foothills, where stump grinders can hit rock.

Hurricanes and ice: FEMA's declarations data list 10 weather-related major disasters for Spartanburg County, including 4 hurricanes and 2 severe ice storms; the latest were Hurricane Ian in 2022 and Hurricane Helene, declared September 29, 2024. Ice storms put weight on pines along every road corridor.

Floodplain trees: sycamore, river birch and sweetgum line the Pacolet, Tyger and Enoree rivers, where wet soil lets roots fail in storms.

What drives local prices

Species: HomeGuide's table lists oak at $300-$2,500 and pine at $250-$1,600; big white oaks and tall poplars sit near the top of those ranges.
Height: a 60-80 ft pine or poplar is $850-$2,000 in HomeGuide's height table, and trees over 80 ft can pass $2,500.
Volume: clearing a wooded lot is priced as land clearing, which HomeGuide puts at $1,200-$8,000 per acre, with multi-tree discounts of 10% to 25%.
Storm: HomeGuide's survey says emergency work after a hurricane or ice storm often runs 2 to 3 times standard rates.
Stump: clay and shallow rock slow grinders; HomeGuide's survey puts stump removal at $100-$500+, and haul-off to the county's Wellford wood grinding facility adds a disposal fee.
Method: species, height, acreage, storm and stump figures are HomeGuide national ranges (Feb 4, 2026); burn rules come from S.C. Code Chapter 48-35 and the S.C. Forestry Commission; disposal details from Spartanburg County Solid Waste. These are not quotes from local crews. Checked October 19, 2026.

Common jobs

Storm-damaged oak and pine removal
Lot clearing for new homes
Hazard trees on slopes near houses
Stump grinding in clay and rock

Service area

We hear from Spartanburg, Boiling Springs, Duncan, Lyman, Inman, Landrum, Chesnee, Woodruff, Cowpens and the Spartanburg side of Greer. I-85 crosses the county from Greer past Spartanburg toward Gaffney, I-26 runs north-south from Landrum through Spartanburg toward Columbia, I-585 links downtown, and US 29, US 221 and US 176 are the old main roads.

Duke Energy serves much of the county, with Laurens Electric and Broad River Electric co-ops in rural areas; only the utility's crews should handle limbs on its lines.

Got a tree that needs to go? Use the free form below with the species, rough height and what's underneath it. We reply by email with next steps and, where we know them, insured crews in Spartanburg County.

Communities: Spartanburg, Boiling Springs, Duncan, Lyman, Inman, Landrum, Chesnee, Woodruff, Cowpens, Greer

When something can’t wait

If a storm puts a tree on the house or a line, stay back and call Duke Energy, your co-op or 911 before anyone cuts. HomeGuide's survey says emergency crews often bill 2 to 3 times standard rates, so photograph the damage for your insurer before cleanup.

Questions about Spartanburg County

How much does tree removal cost in Spartanburg County, SC?

HomeGuide's 2026 survey puts a typical tree at $400 to $1,200. Storm work, tall pines near the house and lot clearing cost more.

Do I need permission to burn brush outside city limits?

You must notify the S.C. Forestry Commission before burning, under S.C. Code Section 48-35-10, and follow its safety conditions.

What's the fine for burning without notice?

Up to $200 for a first offense, and at least $500 for a repeat within ten years, under Section 48-35-60.

Where can tree debris go?

Spartanburg County runs a wood chipping and grinding facility at the Wellford Landfill.

Was Spartanburg County hit by Hurricane Helene?

Yes. FEMA declared a major disaster for the county on September 29, 2024, one of 4 hurricane declarations in its history.

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.