The short version
- Fixr national poplar removal: about $1,100 to $1,800.
- Fixr notes poplars as giants often 90 to 115 feet tall.
- HomeGuide height bands help place a specific tree inside or above that species range.
- In Virginia, 'poplar' may mean yellow-poplar (tuliptree) or eastern cottonwood; confirm the species before comparing bids.
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.
Poplar removal cost at a glance
| Job (national) | Published figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Poplar tree removal | $1,100 – $1,800 | Fixr, tree removal, Checked Oct 15, 2026 |
| Tree removal 30–60 ft | $500 – $1,500 | HomeGuide, tree removal, Checked Oct 15, 2026 |
| Tree removal 60–80 ft | $850 – $2,000 | HomeGuide, tree removal, Checked Oct 15, 2026 |
| Tree removal over 80 ft | $1,200 – $2,500+ | HomeGuide, tree removal, Checked Oct 15, 2026 |
| Crane-assisted removal | $1,500 – $2,500 | 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 and HomeGuide, not Roanoke Valley quotes. Angi's overall range is about $200 to $2,000 or more, with an average near $750.
Which 'poplar' is in the yard?
Fixr's poplar row groups aspen, cottonwood, and related Populus trees and calls them giants of the species, often 90 to 115 feet. Virginia Tech's eastern cottonwood fact sheet describes a large tree with a clear bole and an open, spreading crown. USDA FEIS lists eastern cottonwood heights from about 36 to 190 feet and notes the wood is moderately light, soft, and relatively weak in bending. In the Roanoke Valley, many people also say 'poplar' for yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera, also called tuliptree). Virginia Tech says forest-grown yellow-poplar often reaches over 100 feet with a long, straight bole. FEIS adds that tuliptree can reach 200 feet. Photos of the leaf help: cottonwood leaves are triangular; yellow-poplar leaves have the familiar notched 'tulip' tip.
Cost by height
A young tree under 60 feet can land in HomeGuide's $500 to $1,500 band. Most mature poplars and yellow-poplars are taller, which moves them into the $850 to $2,000 band for 60 to 80 feet or the $1,200 to $2,500 and up band beyond 80 feet. Fixr's species band of about $1,100 to $1,800 sits inside those taller height ranges. Angi's size table follows a similar pattern: about $450 to $1,200 for 30 to 60 feet, $800 to $1,500 for 60 to 80 feet, and $1,000 to $2,000 over 80 feet. Use the bands to sanity-check quotes, then expect access and targets under the crown to move the number. Compare tree removal cost by size and oak tree removal cost.
Why tall poplars bid high
Fixr groups poplars with large-tree removals because of height and mass. Soft, brittle wood on cottonwoods can break unpredictably during sectioning, which slows careful rigging. Yellow-poplar wood is straighter and denser, but a 100-foot bole still means many cuts, more brush, and more haul time. A wide cottonwood crown over a roof or wires needs the same sectional work as other large hardwoods. Soft wood also means more cleanup if limbs shatter during a storm before the crew arrives. Fixr lists crane-assisted removal at about $1,500 to $2,500 when a crane is the safe option. Ask each crew how they plan to protect the drop zone and whether haul-away is in the price. Related: crane tree removal and tree removal near power lines.
What makes a poplar cost more or less
| Factor | Lower bid | Higher bid |
|---|---|---|
| Height and trunk | Under 60 ft, single stem | Over 80 ft, thick butt or multiple leaders |
| Drop zone | Open lawn, room to fell | Over roof, deck, fence, or wires |
| Species habit | Sound yellow-poplar bole | Brittle cottonwood with storm damage |
| Ground and access | Firm, flat, truck reaches the base | Creek bank, soft bottomland, steep slope |
| Equipment | Climber and ropes | Crane or bucket truck |
| Extras | Leave wood, skip stump | Haul all wood, grind stump, rake chips |
Factors summarize Fixr, HomeGuide, and Angi cost guides plus VT and FEIS species notes. A site visit sets the real price.
Stumps, sprouts, and soft wood
FEIS reports that eastern cottonwood can sprout from stumps and root crowns after top-kill, though the response is often weak and declines with age. Yellow-poplar sprouts from the root crown after cutting, with sprouting decreasing as bark thickens. If you want the tree gone for good, ask for stump grinding as a separate line. HomeGuide's national stump grinding guide lists about $120 to $400 for the first stump and about $2 to $6 per inch of diameter. Soft cottonwood logs are less valuable as lumber than oak or walnut, so do not count on a mill credit to offset removal. Related: stump grinding cost and stump removal vs grinding.
Storm damage and when to remove
FEIS notes cottonwood wood is relatively weak in bending, which matches the storm breakage many owners see after high winds. Yellow-poplar is straighter and often sound, but dead tops, large cracks, or a lean toward the house still call for an evaluation. Virginia Cooperative Extension's SPES-313 checklist helps sort cosmetic issues from real risk. See how to tell if a tree is dying, remove or trim a tree, and fallen tree removal cost.
Get a poplar removal quote
Bring a rough height, photos of the leaf and the drop zone, and a clear yes or no on stump grinding so each crew prices the same job. A tape measure on the trunk at chest height and a photo of what sits under the crown cut down follow-up questions. Call (540) 904-1819 or use the form, and we will pass your request to an independent local tree crew. Tell us whether the tree is near a creek, wires, or the house, and how a truck would reach it. Check City of Roanoke tree removal rules or Roanoke County tree removal rules if it is near a street. Related services: tree removal and hazard tree removal.
Common questions
How much does poplar tree removal cost?
Fixr lists about $1,100 to $1,800 nationally for poplar removal. HomeGuide height bands help place a specific tree inside that range.
Why are poplars expensive to remove?
Fixr calls them giants often 90 to 115 feet tall. Height, mass, and (for cottonwood) brittle wood mean more sectional cuts and haul time.
Is yellow-poplar the same as a poplar?
Not botanically. Yellow-poplar is Liriodendron tulipifera (tuliptree). True poplars are Populus species such as eastern cottonwood. Many Virginia yards use 'poplar' for either.
Will I need a crane?
Sometimes on trees over about 80 feet or over structures. Fixr lists crane-assisted removal at about $1,500 to $2,500 nationally.
Do poplar stumps grow back?
They can. FEIS notes cottonwood may sprout from stumps, and yellow-poplar sprouts from the root crown after cutting. Grinding is the usual fix.
How tall do these trees get?
Virginia Tech says yellow-poplar often reaches over 100 feet in forest stands. Fixr cites poplars at about 90 to 115 feet; FEIS lists cottonwood as tall as about 190 feet.
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 cottonwood fact sheet (Checked Oct 15, 2026)
- Virginia Tech Dendrology, yellow-poplar (tuliptree) fact sheet (Checked Oct 15, 2026)
- USDA Forest Service FEIS, Populus deltoides (Checked Oct 15, 2026)
- USDA Forest Service FEIS, Liriodendron tulipifera (Checked Oct 15, 2026)
- Virginia Cooperative Extension, How to Evaluate a Tree, SPES-313 (PDF) (Checked Oct 15, 2026)