The short version
- Use HomeGuide national height bands for walnut bids: about $200 to $500 under 30 feet up to $1,200 to $2,500+ over 80 feet.
- Angi and Fixr publish overlapping standing-removal averages in the mid hundreds to low thousands.
- Black walnut wood is dense; VT lists mature trees up to about 100 feet.
- Stump grinding is often extra: HomeGuide national about $120 to $400 for the first stump.
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.
Walnut tree removal cost at a glance
| Job (national) | Published figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tree removal under 30 ft | $200 – $500 | HomeGuide, tree removal, Checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Tree removal 30–60 ft | $500 – $1,500 | HomeGuide, tree removal, Checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Tree removal 60–80 ft | $850 – $2,000 | HomeGuide, tree removal, Checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Tree removal over 80 ft | $1,200 – $2,500+ | HomeGuide, tree removal, Checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Typical standing removal average range | $400 – $1,200 | HomeGuide, tree removal, Checked Oct 14, 2026 |
| Stump grinding, first stump | $120 – $400 | HomeGuide, stump grinding, Checked Oct 14, 2026 |
HomeGuide does not publish a walnut-only row; the height bands above are the national figures to use. Angi's overall standing range is about $200 to $2,000+, and Fixr's average range is about $400 to $1,100. Not Roanoke quotes.
Cost by height
HomeGuide calls height one of the biggest cost factors, and those bands apply to walnut the same way they apply to other hardwoods. Angi's size table lands in a similar pattern: about $150 to $450 up to 30 feet, $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. Fixr groups large hardwoods among the more complex jobs once trunks thicken past about 20 inches. A short ornamental walnut near a fence is a different price class from a 80-foot black walnut over a roof. For size bands across species, see tree removal cost by size and oak tree removal cost.
Black walnut around Roanoke
Virginia Tech's dendrology fact sheet for black walnut (Juglans nigra) describes a medium to large tree up to about 100 feet, with stout twigs and a straight bole when grown in competition. The wood is dense and prized for furniture and veneer, which is why some owners ask about selling logs. Yard trees still usually cost money to remove; nail scars, fencing wire, and short clear stems cut timber value. Purdue Extension's black walnut toxicity page explains juglone, the chemical that can injure nearby tomatoes, peppers, and some ornamentals. Juglone is a landscaping reason some owners remove a healthy walnut; it does not change the climbing and wood-weight part of the bid by itself. Virginia Cooperative Extension's tree evaluation guide (SPES-313) is a useful checklist before you decide between pruning and full removal. A walkaround that notes lean, cavities, and targets under the crown gives each bidder the same starting facts.
What makes a walnut cost more or less
| Factor | Lower bid | Higher bid |
|---|---|---|
| Height and trunk size | Under 30 ft, slim stem | Over 60 to 80 ft or thick butt log |
| Drop zone | Open side yard | Over roof, deck, fence, or wires |
| Wood and limbs | Sound, predictable hardwood | Dead leaders, included bark, storm splits |
| Access | Truck and chipper reach the base | Slope, tight gate, hand-carry brush |
| Extras | Leave wood, skip stump | Haul all wood, grind stump, rake chips |
| Log interest | Crew keeps or chips wood | Owner wants long sawlogs left intact |
Factors summarize HomeGuide, Angi, and Fixr cost guides plus VT's species notes. A site visit sets the real price.
Stump, brush, and wood value
Many quotes leave the stump unless you ask. HomeGuide's national stump grinding guide lists about $120 to $400 for the first stump. Black walnut firewood and craft wood are dense, so ask whether logs stay, get hauled, or get cut to length. Sprouts can return from a living stump, so grinding is the usual finish if you plan to replant a juglone-sensitive garden bed. Related: stump grinding cost and Roanoke brush pickup.
Permits, power lines, and neighbors
Permit needs depend on whether the walnut is a street tree or on private land. Angi's national calculator lists a permit line of about $60 to $150 when a permit applies, but local rules decide that. Start with City of Roanoke tree removal rules and Roanoke County tree removal rules. Walnuts hanging over service drops need the utility involved first; see tree removal near power lines. If a walnut already fell, read fallen tree removal cost and the insurance guide.
Getting quotes you can compare
- Estimate height and trunk diameter.Height bands drive national pricing more than the species name alone.
- Photograph the drop zone.Show roof, fence, garden beds, and wires under the crown.
- Say whether juglone is the reason for removal.Crews still price wood weight and access the same way.
- List extras in writing.Stump grinding, log hauling, and chip cleanup should be line items.
- Ask about leaving a sawlog.If you hope to sell wood, say so before the crew chips the butt.
Get a walnut removal quote
Bring height, photos of the drop zone, and a clear yes or no on stump grinding so each crew prices the same job. If tomatoes or other juglone-sensitive plants sit inside the root zone, say if you plan to replant there after grinding. Call (540) 904-1819 or use the form, and we will pass your request to an independent local tree crew. Tell us the walnut's rough height, what is under it, whether limbs are dead or split, and if you want the stump ground. Related services: tree removal and hazard tree removal.
Common questions
How much does walnut tree removal cost?
Use national height bands as the starting point: HomeGuide lists about $200 to $500 under 30 feet, $500 to $1,500 for 30 to 60 feet, $850 to $2,000 for 60 to 80 feet, and $1,200 to $2,500+ over 80 feet. Roanoke Valley bids depend on access and what sits under the crown.
How much does black walnut tree removal cost?
The same height bands apply. Virginia Tech describes black walnut as a medium to large tree up to about 100 feet with dense wood, which puts many mature yard trees in the upper bands.
Why can walnuts cost more than some other trees?
Dense hardwood and stout branches take longer to section than light, narrow trees of the same height. Drop zone and access still move the bid as much as species.
Is stump grinding included in walnut removal?
Often not. HomeGuide's national stump grinding figure is about $120 to $400 for the first stump. Ask whether logs and brush are in the price.
Does juglone change the removal price?
Juglone is a reason some owners remove a walnut near gardens, per Purdue Extension. The climbing and wood-weight work is priced like other hardwoods.
Can I sell the walnut wood to offset removal?
Sometimes a mill or woodworker wants a clean butt log, but yard trees often have metal and short clear stems. Ask before the crew chips the trunk.
Sources
- HomeGuide, tree removal cost (national figures) (Checked Oct 14, 2026)
- Angi, how much does tree removal cost (national figures) (Checked Oct 14, 2026)
- Fixr.com, tree removal cost (national figures) (Checked Oct 14, 2026)
- HomeGuide, stump grinding cost (national figures) (Checked Oct 14, 2026)
- Virginia Tech Dendrology, black walnut fact sheet (Checked Oct 14, 2026)
- Virginia Cooperative Extension, How to Evaluate a Tree, SPES-313 (PDF) (Checked Oct 14, 2026)
- Purdue Extension, Black Walnut Toxicity (Checked Oct 14, 2026)