The Sycamore, or American Sycamore, tree is native to the central and eastern parts of the United States, though it is also widespread across the nation.
The cost to remove a Sycamore tree varies between $750 and $5,100. The average price so far this year is $1,725.
There are a lot of factors that determine the cost of Sycamore tree removal which we will go through below.
Cost to removal a Small tree (15ft.)
Smaller sycamore specimens will cost an average of $215 for complete removal including the stump if you were to use a tree removal service. For such a small tree I recommend contacting a gardener or landscaper and not an arborist. They will charge you half the price and can handle smaller trees like this.
Medium tree (15 – 25ft.) removal price
Medium-sized Sycamore trees will cost between $575 and $890 to remove. This is the average range, but depending on a number of factors we touch on below the price can be much lower or higher.
Large tree (25-50ft.) removal cost
Larger sycamore trees can be expensive to remove. The average price range is $890 to $2700. If it’s a tall but skinny tree it is going to be a lot cheaper than if it has a massive trunk and is located in the backyard of a property. Location on property plays a large role in the cost of tree removal as we will discuss below.
X-Large tree (> 60ft.) removal estimate
This is a serious tree. Most likely the company you contract to remove this tree will make use of a crane to snatch large sections of the tree out and lower them safely to the ground. Because of the machinery and manpower required to remove such a large tree, you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,900 – $5,000 for complete removal.
Are sycamore trees protected?
Sycamore trees are no more protected than any other tree in your local area. Every city has its own set of laws governing the removal of trees.
Most tree protection laws related to the size of a tree can be found in your city’s Tree or Landscaping Ordinance. Once a tree reaches a certain size, (For example: trees with a trunk diameter of 8” or more measured at breast height) it becomes a protected tree by law.
To remove that tree you will need to seek approval from the city.
Will I need a permit?
If the tree is protected due to its size (see above) you will need to apply for a permit. The process and cost involved in applying vary from city to city, but generally, it will cost between $25 and $75 to apply.
You can normally fill out an online application form, with the whole process taking about 2 weeks from submission of the form to getting a yes/no answer.
Stump removal cost
The average cost of Sycamore stump removal is $185, but prices range from $75 to $500 depending on the size of the stump.
For more detailed stump removal prices, please refer to our stump removal cost guide.
Factors that determine tree removal cost
Height and spread – This is the most obvious factor. The bigger the tree, the more it is going to cost to remove. It is the combination of other factors that will work against you and compound the size.
For example, a large tree in your backyard with bad access will cost twice as much as a large tree in the front yard of a home.
Trunk diameter – The trunk diameter of a Sycamore tree is normally closely related to the size of the tree, but it is common to have a tree with 2 or more trunks. As a general rule of thumb, the bigger the trunk or the more trunks there are the more it will cost to remove.
Location & access – This is a big one. If the tree-cutting service you use has great access to heavy machinery then the job will be a breeze and cost you far less. There are cases of Sycamore trees in a backyard with no rear access and overhanging a house.
This is a nightmare scenario. If you don’t personally have good rear access and the tree is hard to get to, see if you can remove a panel of fencing and allow the tree service access through your neighbor’s yard.
Winter or summer – As Sycamore trees are deciduous and lose their leaves in winter, you are best attacking the job then. Not only is it easier to remove when it is stripped of leaves, so it will cost you less, but you will also catch tree services when they have virtually no work on them.
Being on the right side of supply and demand ensures you will save 20% off the price of removal.
