Help Paying for Tree Removal in the Roanoke Valley

Roanoke Tree Removal is a local referral service: we pass your request to an independent, local tree crew. We are not a government office, and this page is general information, and we don't run or screen any assistance program.

At a glance

None of these programs lists tree removal among its services. A tree that threatens the house can still be a fair thing to ask about.

USDA Section 504 repair loans and grants

USDA's Virginia page lists the program as open, with applications taken year-round through local Rural Development offices:

• Loans up to $40,000 at a fixed 1% for 20 years, to repair or improve a home or remove health and safety hazards.
• Grants up to $10,000 (a lifetime limit) for homeowners 62 or older under the very-low income limit, only to remove health and safety hazards. Grants must be repaid if the home is sold within 3 years.
• You must own and live in the home, be unable to get affordable credit elsewhere, and be in an eligible rural area, which USDA checks by address.

Whether a dangerous tree counts as a health and safety hazard is USDA's call, so ask the local office before you sign a contract. Check the address first; not every part of the valley may count as rural.

Renovation Alliance

Renovation Alliance does free repairs for owner-occupied homes in Roanoke, Salem and Roanoke, Botetourt, Craig, Franklin and Floyd counties. Household income must be at or below 80% of area median income; its 2024 HUD chart lists $48,800 for one person and $69,700 for four. It prioritizes homeowners 60 and older, veterans and surviving partners, people with disabilities and single parents with young children.

Its FAQ lists roofs, heating and cooling, electrical, plumbing, structural and window repairs, plus safety changes like grab bars, ramps and fixing trip hazards. Tree work isn't on that list. Volunteers do some or all of the work, and staff review the waiting list monthly. Phone: (540) 400-0959.

TAP Limited Home Repair

Total Action for Progress offers free limited repairs for hazardous conditions such as a leaky roof, dangerous wiring or rotted floors. Income must be at or below 80% of area median income. Its table for Roanoke County, Roanoke City and Salem lists $48,800 for one person and $69,700 for four, marked effective May 2024; Botetourt County has its own limits on the same page. TAP says to call to confirm current eligibility: (540) 283-4899.

Healthy Homes Roanoke

Healthy Homes Roanoke looks for ways to make homes safer for City of Roanoke residents. Its income limits are under $51,200 for one person, $58,500 for two, $65,800 for three and $73,100 for four or more. It gives priority to homes built before 1978 with children, people with disabilities or people 62 and older. It says it can still connect people who don't qualify with other agencies.

If you're over 60

The Local Office on Aging's Care Coordination service helps people over 60 stay in their homes by linking them with services, starting with a phone call to one of its offices: (540) 345-0451. 211 Virginia also has a searchable resource directory, with live help weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern.

Trees that are someone else's job

• Street trees in the City of Roanoke: Roanoke Parks and Recreation's Urban Forestry team takes maintenance requests at 540-853-2000 or through the iRoanoke app. See City of Roanoke tree rules.
• Lines between poles: Appalachian Power handles trees growing into its pole-to-pole lines. Trees threatening the service drop to your house are the owner's responsibility.
• A neighbor's tree: see Virginia property line rules and who trims what.
• A tree that fell in a storm: check your homeowners policy; see fallen tree insurance claims.

Ways to lower the bill

Angi's national figures (average around $750), not Roanoke quotes.

Angi's national cost guide suggests these ways to save:

• Have an ISA Certified Arborist confirm the tree needs to come out.
• Get quotes from at least three companies, and remove several trees in one visit.
• Book outside spring, summer and early fall, which Angi calls the busiest seasons.
• Clear the work area, clean up brush yourself, keep the wood for firewood, or leave the stump.

If you haul brush yourself, check Roanoke brush pickup rules first.

Get a written quote

Call (540) 904-1819 or use the form. A written quote with the tree, the risk and the price makes it easier to ask a program, an insurer or family about help.

Sources

• USDA Rural Development, Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants in Virginia (Section 504) (Checked Oct 12, 2026)
• Renovation Alliance, Apply (eligibility and FAQ) (Checked Oct 12, 2026)
• Total Action for Progress (TAP), Limited Home Repair (Checked Oct 12, 2026)
• Healthy Homes Roanoke (Checked Oct 12, 2026)
• Local Office on Aging, Services for Aging in Place (Checked Oct 12, 2026)
• 211 Virginia (Checked Oct 12, 2026)
• Roanoke Parks and Recreation, Urban Forestry (Checked Oct 12, 2026)
• Appalachian Power, report a tree problem (Checked Oct 12, 2026)
• Angi, tree removal cost (updated Jul 8, 2026) (Checked Oct 12, 2026)

Common questions