Is it really dead?
Check in the growing season. No leaves when nearby trees of the same kind have leafed out, bark falling away, and brittle twigs that snap rather than bend are strong signs. A partly dead tree may be worth an arborist's look before you decide.
Common causes around the valley
- Emerald ash borer has killed many ash trees in Virginia. The Virginia Department of Forestry runs a cost-share program for treating eligible ash trees that are still healthy enough to save.
- Oak decline and disease, including oak wilt; see our guide to ash and oak disease in Virginia.
- Construction damage to roots, which can kill a tree years later.
- Drought and storm damage.
Why dead trees cost what they do
Dead trees are lighter, but they are unpredictable. Climbers may not be able to tie into weak wood, so crews often use a bucket truck or a crane, which adds cost. A dead tree standing in open ground with room to fall can be the cheapest removal there is.
Angi's 2026 national data puts typical tree removal at $200 to $2,000, averaging about $750, with trees up to 30 feet at $150 to $450, 30 to 60 feet at $450 to $1,200, 60 to 80 feet at $800 to $1,500 and over 80 feet at $1,000 to $2,000. These are national figures, not local quotes.
Angi lists a fallen tree at $75 to $150 to clear, because the dangerous part is done, and a crane at about $500 extra when one is needed.
What to do with the wood
Ask whether the quote includes chipping and hauling, or whether the logs can be left for firewood. Angi's 2026 figures put haul-away at about $70, chipping at about $95 and splitting into firewood at about $70 per tree. See tree debris removal.
Before stump grinding or digging
Virginia 811 asks for at least three working days' notice, excluding weekends and holidays, before digging, so buried utilities can be marked.
Request a quote
Call (540) 904-1819 or use the form. Photos of the whole tree and of what sits under it (house, lines, fence, driveway) help the crew plan equipment before the visit.
Common questions
How much does it cost to remove a dead tree?
Angi's 2026 national data puts typical removal at $200 to $2,000 by size; a fallen tree costs $75 to $150 to clear.
Is a dead tree more dangerous to remove?
Often yes. Brittle wood can make climbing unsafe, so crews may use a bucket truck or crane.
Can I keep the wood for firewood?
Usually. Ask for the logs to be left or split; Angi lists splitting at about $70 per tree.
Why are so many ash trees dying in Virginia?
Emerald ash borer. The Virginia Department of Forestry offers cost-share for treating eligible ash trees.