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Last reviewed 2026-10-17

Texas Tree Removal Cost and Rules

Texas is big enough that one price won't fit, but HomeGuide's February 2026 national survey gives a baseline: $400 to $1,200 for a typical tree, $300 to $2,500 for an oak and $250 to $1,600 for a pine. Height, access, wet Gulf Coast clay or Hill Country rock, and the cost of hauling brush in a state where most burning is banned all push the final bid.

Pine forests fill the east of the state, from the Sabine River to the edge of Houston. The Forest Service's 2025 FIA evaluation for East Texas counts about 11.4 million forested acres: loblolly/shortleaf pine 49.4%, oak/hickory 20.4%, oak/gum/cypress bottomland 11.7% and oak/pine 10.9%. Farther west the trees are post oak, live oak, juniper and mesquite on ranchland and in suburbs.

This hub covers statewide rules and links every Texas county page on the site; the county pages cover local permits, disposal, soils and storm history.

Cost at a glance

Texas tree removal cost at a glance
Item	Typical cost	Source
Typical single tree	$400-$1,200	HomeGuide, Feb 2026 (national)
Oak	$300-$2,500	HomeGuide, Feb 2026 (national)
Pine	$250-$1,600	HomeGuide, Feb 2026 (national)
Chipping	$50-$100	HomeGuide, Feb 2026 (national)
Outdoor burning	Prohibited except listed exceptions	Harris County Fire Marshal (state rule)
Houston heavy trash, contractor tree debris	Not collected	City of Houston

Permits

Cutting a tree on your own lot needs no state permit. Burning the debris almost always runs into the state outdoor burning rule: as the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office puts it, the rule prohibits outdoor burning anywhere in Texas except for listed exceptions, and county fire marshals do not issue burn permits. Counties also declare burn bans in dry spells; Harris County's took effect for unincorporated areas on September 17, 2026, and violations there are a Class C misdemeanor with a fine of up to $500.

Cities regulate trees on public land. In Houston, the Permitting Center requires a Tree Removal/Tree Trimming Permit for any tree on city property, rights-of-way or setbacks, posted 20 days before work, and Urban Forestry reviews protected trees. Many cities also keep tree rules for new development, so ask the city Planning or Permit office before clearing a lot.

Disposal is the hidden cost. The City of Houston's heavy trash rules take limbs up to 8 inches thick and 10 feet long but will not collect debris generated by contractors, so a hired crew must haul its own wood.

Step 1: open your county page below for local rules. Step 2: check for a county burn ban and assume burning is off the table. Step 3: call the electric utility if limbs touch lines. Step 4: get itemized written bids that include haul-off. Step 5: call Texas 811 before grinding.

Local conditions

Storms: FEMA's declarations data list 106 weather-related major disasters for Texas from 1953 through 2026: 44 floods, 20 severe storms, 17 hurricanes and 15 tornado declarations among them. Hurricanes hit hardest along the coast, and Harris County alone has 29 declarations.

Coastal clay versus Hill Country rock: NRCS soil survey data rate 67.8% of mapped acres in Harris County poorly drained, while west of Fort Worth and on the Edwards Plateau edge shallow rock is common, so stump grinding and equipment access vary widely.

Growth: the Census Bureau's Building Permits Survey counts 16,940 single-family buildings authorized in Harris County in 2025, and new lots across Central Texas and the Metroplex start with clearing.

Freeze and drought: the February 2021 winter storm brought a major disaster declaration for Harris County, and droughts weaken oaks and pines statewide.

What drives local prices

Size: HomeGuide's survey runs from $200-$500 under 30 ft to $500-$1,500 at 30-60 ft and $850-$2,000 at 60-80 ft.
Species: HomeGuide shows oak at $300-$2,500, pine at $250-$1,600, palm at $200-$1,200 and cedar at $600-$2,000.
Haul-off: with burning restricted statewide, disposal is in nearly every bid; HomeGuide puts chipping at $50-$100.
Storm demand: HomeGuide says emergency work often costs 2 to 3 times standard rates, and hourly crews bill $100-$400+.
Method: tree, size, chipping and hourly prices are HomeGuide national figures (Feb 4, 2026); burning and permit rules come from the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office and the Houston Permitting Center. These are not quotes from Texas crews. Reviewed October 16, 2026.

Common jobs

Live oak and pine removal over homes
Hurricane, flood and severe storm cleanup
Juniper and mesquite clearing on rural lots
Haul-off where burning is banned

Service area

County pages on the site: Harris (Houston, Pasadena, Katy, Spring), Bell (Killeen, Temple, Belton, Harker Heights) and Parker (Weatherford, Aledo, Springtown, Willow Park). Bell lies along I-35 between Austin and Waco, and Parker along I-20 west of Fort Worth.

If your county isn't listed, the state burning rule still applies; ask your county Fire Marshal or city Permit office about burn bans and local tree rules.

Want a price for a Texas tree? The free form below asks for the species, a rough height and what's beneath it. We reply by email with next steps and, where we know them, insured local crews.

Communities: Houston, Pasadena, Katy, Spring, Killeen, Temple, Belton, Harker Heights, Weatherford, Aledo, Springtown, Willow Park

When something can’t wait

When a storm puts a tree across wires or through a roof, keep everyone clear and call the utility or 911 before any cutting. HomeGuide's survey says emergency crews often bill 2 to 3 times standard rates; photograph the damage for your insurer and confirm haul-off.

Questions about Texas

How much does tree removal cost in Texas?

HomeGuide's 2026 survey suggests $400 to $1,200 for a typical tree and $300 to $2,500 for an oak. Big live oaks over houses, tight access and haul-off raise the price.

Can I burn brush in Texas?

Usually not. The state outdoor burning rule bans outdoor burning outside narrow exceptions, and counties add burn bans in dry weather.

Do I need a permit to remove a tree?

Not from the state. Cities regulate trees on public land; Houston requires a permit for trees on city property, rights-of-way or setbacks.

Will the city take the wood?

Not from a contractor in Houston; its heavy trash program refuses contractor-generated tree debris, so make sure haul-off is in the bid.

How often do disasters hit Texas?

Often. FEMA lists 106 weather-related major disaster declarations for the state since 1953, including 44 floods and 17 hurricanes.

Sources

County pages in Texas

Tree problems

Local fees and rules change. Confirm with the county or state office named above before you clear. Estimate your clearing cost.