The short version
- Eastern redcedar is a juniper, not a true cedar (Extension).
- A cut redcedar does not resprout, so grinding is for looks and space.
- Low, dense limbs and fence rows add time; HomeGuide says cedar typically costs more because of dense, heavy wood.
- National cedar rows: Fixr about $500 to $2,000; HomeGuide about $600 to $2,000; Angi about $250 to $1,500.
Roanoke Tree Removal is a local referral service: we pass your request to an independent, local tree crew. We are not a contractor or a government office, and this page is general information, not legal advice.
Juniper, not a true cedar
Virginia Cooperative Extension points out that eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) is a juniper; true cedars belong to the Cedrus genus. Virginia Tech's fact sheet describes red-brown bark that peels in long, fibrous strips, scale-like leaves, and small blue berry-like cones on female trees. Extension notes it is a pioneer that quickly fills farm fields because birds spread the seed. People also call arborvitae and Leyland cypress 'cedar'; Fixr prices arborvitae at about $450 to $1,300 and cypress at about $800 to $1,200. If a row of Leylands is browning, see Leyland cypress turning brown.
No sprouts after the cut
FEIS states there is no natural asexual reproduction in eastern redcedar and that it does not sprout after complete cutting or burning. A cut cedar will not send up shoots the way sweetgum or sycamore can. FEIS describes a generally shallow, fibrous root system, though mature roots may go down 25 feet and laterals may reach 20 feet. Grinding is still worth pricing if you want to mow or plant over the spot: HomeGuide's national figures are about $120 to $400 for the first stump and about $30 to $60 for each additional one. Related: stump grinding cost.
Fire and cedars near the house
FEIS describes eastern redcedar foliage as highly combustible and says branches that reach the ground can act as ladder fuels that carry fire into the crown. A dense cedar against a house, deck, or woodpile is a common reason owners ask for removal or limbing. Extension says the species tolerates pruning but warns not to cut back into wood that has no foliage. See tree too close to the house and remove or trim a tree.
Limbing instead of removal
Sometimes the problem is the lower limbs, not the whole tree. FEIS says branches that reach the ground can carry fire into the crown, and Extension says redcedar tolerates pruning but warns against cutting back into wood that has no foliage. Raising the lower limbs on a cedar near a deck or shed is a smaller job than taking it down. Ask each crew to price both so you can compare.
Cedar prices (national figures)
| Job (national) | Published figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar tree removal | $500 – $2,000 | Fixr, tree removal, Checked Oct 15, 2026 |
| Cedar tree removal | $600 – $2,000 | HomeGuide, tree removal, Checked Oct 15, 2026 |
| Cedar tree removal | $250 – $1,500 | Angi, tree removal, Checked Oct 15, 2026 |
| Arborvitae removal | $450 – $1,300 | Fixr, tree removal, Checked Oct 15, 2026 |
| Stump grinding, first stump | $120 – $400 | HomeGuide, stump grinding, Checked Oct 15, 2026 |
All rows are national estimates from Fixr, HomeGuide, and Angi, not Roanoke Valley quotes. Height bands and the shared national tables are on our Roanoke tree removal cost guide.
What pushes cedar bids up
HomeGuide says oak and cedar trees typically cost more to remove because of dense, heavy wood and extensive branch systems. Eastern redcedar keeps live branches low, and FEIS notes the foliage may reach the ground on young and open-grown trees, so a crew often limbs the tree from the bottom up before it can fell it. Virginia Tech describes a small tree up to about 60 feet; Extension lists about 40 feet tall and 15 feet wide, so most yard cedars are short, and the low limbs, not the height, take the time. A cedar over a roof or wires still needs sectional rigging; see tree removal near power lines.
Fence rows and windbreaks
Because birds spread the seed, redcedars often come up in a line along a fence or field edge. Then the job is a row, not a tree. Ask for a per-tree price and a total so you can drop a tree if the budget is tight, and say whether brush is hauled or chipped on site. A long row may fit land and lot clearing better than single-tree pricing.
Cedar-apple rust
Extension says eastern redcedar is an alternate host for cedar-apple rust, a fungal disease that harms apple trees but has only a minor effect on the cedar, and advises against planting redcedar near apples. FEIS lists cedar-apple rust as the most widely known rust for which redcedar is the alternate host. If you grow apples and want a nearby cedar gone for that reason, tell the crew so all the brush goes in the haul.
Cedar size and bid factors
| Factor | Lower bid | Higher bid |
|---|---|---|
| Branching | Limbs cleared up the trunk | Dense foliage to the ground |
| Number of trees | One yard tree | A fence row or windbreak |
| Height | Under 30 ft | Over 40 ft or multiple leaders |
| Next to | Open lawn | House, shed, or wires |
| Brush | Chipped and left | All brush hauled |
Factors summarize Fixr, HomeGuide, and Angi cost guides plus Virginia Tech, Extension, and FEIS notes. A site visit sets the real price.
Get a cedar removal quote
Tell us how many cedars, how close they are to the house, and if you want stumps ground. Call (540) 904-1819 or use the form and we will pass it to an independent local tree crew. Trees near the right-of-way may fall under City of Roanoke tree removal rules. Related service: tree removal.
Common questions
How much does cedar tree removal cost?
National guides list cedar removal at about $500 to $2,000 (Fixr), $600 to $2,000 (HomeGuide), and $250 to $1,500 (Angi). A local crew prices the actual tree.
Is eastern redcedar a real cedar?
No. Virginia Cooperative Extension notes it is a juniper (Juniperus virginiana); true cedars are in the Cedrus genus.
How tall do eastern redcedars get?
Virginia Tech describes a small tree up to about 60 feet, and Extension lists about 40 feet as typical. USDA FEIS says the largest trees may reach 100 feet.
Will a cedar stump grow back?
Eastern redcedar does not sprout after complete cutting, according to USDA FEIS. Grinding is for appearance and space. HomeGuide lists about $120 to $400 for the first stump.
Why remove a cedar near apple trees?
Eastern redcedar is an alternate host for cedar-apple rust, which harms apple trees, so Extension advises against planting it near apples.
Why do cedars cost more than some trees their size?
HomeGuide says oak and cedar typically cost more because of dense, heavy wood and extensive branching. Low, dense limbs also add time.
Can I just remove the lower cedar branches?
Often. Extension says eastern redcedar tolerates pruning but warns not to cut back into wood without foliage. FEIS notes low branches can act as ladder fuels.
Sources
- Fixr.com, tree removal cost (national figures) (Checked Oct 15, 2026)
- HomeGuide, tree removal cost (national figures) (Checked Oct 15, 2026)
- Angi, how much does tree removal cost (national figures) (Checked Oct 15, 2026)
- HomeGuide, stump grinding cost (national figures) (Checked Oct 15, 2026)
- Virginia Tech Dendrology, eastern redcedar fact sheet (Checked Oct 15, 2026)
- Virginia Cooperative Extension, Eastern Redcedar, Juniperus virginiana (3010-1477) (Checked Oct 15, 2026)
- USDA Forest Service FEIS, Juniperus virginiana (Checked Oct 15, 2026)