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Identify structural tree hazards and prepare your property for Western Pennsylvania winters with practical advice from vetted local climbers.

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Property Protection

Essential Safety Guides and FAQs

How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in Pittsburgh?

What to do After a Storm Damages a Tree on your Pittsburgh Property?

How Do I Know that a Tree Must Be Removed?

Who does South Hills Tree Service Serve?

Learn More

How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in Pittsburgh?

If you've got a tree that needs to come down on your South Hills property, the first question on your mind is probably the same as one everyone asks: how much is this going to cost me?

Answer:

The honest answer is that tree removal costs in Pittsburgh vary quite a bit depending on the size of the tree, where it's located on your property, and how complicated the job is. But after years of working with South Hills homeowners, we can give you a solid range of what to expect.

Tree Removal Cost Ranges in Pittsburgh

Here's a general breakdown of what tree removal costs in the Pittsburgh area in 2026:

Small trees (under 30 feet): $200-$500
Medium trees (30-60 fee): $500-$1,200
Large trees (60-80 feet): $1,200-$2,000
Very Large trees (80+ feet): $2,000-$3,500
Stump grinding (add-on): $100-$400
Emergency/after-hours removalL add 25-50% to base price

What Affects the Price?

Several factors push the cost up or down on any givven job:

Proximity to structures: A tree leaning over your roof or close to a fence, power line, or shed takes more time and skill to remove safely. Expect ot pay mroe for trees in tight spots.
Number of trunks: A tree with multiple trunks essentially coutns as multiple removal hobs and will cost more htan a single-trunk tree of the same height.
Tree health and condition: Dead or diseased trees can be more unpredictable and dangerous to remove, which adds to the cost. On the flip side, some contractors price them lower since they fall more easily.
Accessibility: If a crew can get a truck and chipper close to the tree, the job goes faster. Properties with steep grades, fences, or limited access take longer and cost more.
Debris hauling: Most quotes include hauling away the wood and brush, but confirm this upfront. Some contractors leave wood on-site or charge extra to remove it.
Time of Year: Winter and early spring are often slower seasons for tree companies, which can mean better pricing. Summer and fall after storm season are peak times hwen prices are higher and scheudling is tighter.

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What to do After a Storm Damages a Tree on your Pittsburgh Property?

Pittsburgh and the South Hills are no strangers to severe weather. Whether it's a fast-moving summer thunderstorm, a nor'easter dropping heavy, wet snow, or straight-line winds from a derecho, our area gets hit hard-- and trees take the brunt of it.

If a storm has damaged a tree on your property, here's exactly what you should do.

Step 1: Stay Away from the Tree

This sounds obvious, but it's the most important step. After a storm, a damaged tree is unpredictable. What looks stable may not be. Cracked limbs can be held in place surrounding branches and drop without warning -- these are called 'widow makers' and they're responsible for many storm-related injuries. Keep your family and pets away from any damaged trees until a professional has assessed the situation.

Step 2: Check for Downed Power Lines

If a tree has fallen on or near power lines, treat every line as live and dangerous. Don't touch the tree, don't touch anything the tree is touching, and call 911 and your pwer supplier immediately. Only utility workers can safely deal with downed power lines-- never attempt to move a tree that's in contact with a line yourself.

Step 3: Assess the Damage from a Safe Distance

Once you've confirmed there are no immediate electrical hazards, take a look at the situation from a safe distance. Try to determine: Is the tree still standing but damaged, or has it fallen? Is it on your home, car, fence, or another structure? Are there hanging limbs that could fall? Are the roots pulling out of the ground? This information will help when you call for emergency tree service.

Step 4: Call Your Insurance Company

If the tre has damaged a structure-- your home, garage, car, or fence -- call your homeowner's insurance company as soon as possible. Document everything with photos before any work begins. Most homeowner's policies cover damage caused by fallen trees, though coverage varies. Your insurer may also have a list of approved contractors, though you are generally free to choose your own.

Step 5: Call South Hills Tree Service

Once you've handled the immediate safety concerns and contacted your insurance company, it's time to call a professional. South Hills Tree Service responds to storm damage throughout the South Hills of Pittsburgh, including Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, Peters Township, Upper St. Clair, and surrounding areas. We assess the situation, safely remove fallen or hanging trees, and help you document damage for insurance purposes.

A Note on Neighbor's Trees

One of the most common post-storm questions we hear is , 'A tree from my neighbor's yard fell on my property-- who's responsible?' The general rule in Pennsylvania is that each property owner is responsible for damage to their own property, regardless of where the tree came from. SO if your neighbor's tree falls on your fence, your homeowner's insurance typically covers your fence repair. There are exceptions-- if the neighbor was notified that the tree was dead or dangerous and failed to act, there may be liability-- but those cases require legal guidance. When in doubt, talk to your insurance company first.

Call for Emergency Tree Service

How Do I Know that a Tree Must Be Removed?

Most homeowners don't think about their trees until something goes wrong-- a branch falls on the care, or a storm brings down a limb that barely misses the house. But trees give you warning signs well before they become emergencies. Knowing what to look for can save you from a costly, stressful situation down the road.

Here are five signs that a tree on your South Hills property may need to be removed.

The Tree is Dead or Dying

A dead or dying tree is the msot obvious candidate for removal-- and the most urgent. Dead trees lose their structural integrity over time, making them increasingly likely to fall without warning. Signs of a dead or dying tree include: no leaves during growing season, brittle or peeling barks, large sections of bare wood exposed on the trunk, mushrooms or fungal growth at the base, and branches that snap off easily. If you're not sure whether a tree is dead, scratch a small section of bark with your fingernail. Living trees will show green just beneath the surface. Dead wood will be dry and brown all the way through.

The Trunk Has Significant Damage

A damage trunk is a serious red flag. Cracks that run vertically through the trunk, large cavities or hollow sections, missing bark over a large area, and deep wounds form past storms are alls igns that a tree may not be structurally sound. trees can survive a lot, but when the trunk-- which is the tree's foundation and the highway for its nutritients-- is severely compromised, the risk of failure goes up dramatically. A tree with a hollow trunk can stand for years and then collapse suddenly, particularly during a storm or high winds.

The Tree is Leaning

Not all leaning trees are dangerous-- some trees grow at an angle naturally. But a tree that has recently started to lean, or one that leans toward your home, driveway, or a neighbor's property, deserves a closer look. A sudden lean is particularly concerning because it often indicates root failure, which means the tree could fall at any time. If you notice a lean that wasn't there before, or ssee soil heaving or cracking near the base of the tree, call a professional immediately.

Large Dead Branches (also Known as 'Widow Makers')

Large dead branches in the upper canopy of a tree are called widow makers for a reason. They can fall without warning and with tremendous force, posting a serious risk to anyone or anything below. If you see large, leafless branches at the top of a tree while the rest of the canopy looks healthy, those branches may already be dead and need to be addressed. In some cases, strategic trimming can remove the problem branches and save the tree. In others, if the dead wood is widespread, removal is the safer call.

The Tree is Too Close to Your Home or Power Lines

Sometimes a tree doesn't need to be diseased or damaged to become a problem-- it just needs to be in the wrong place. Trees that overhang your roof can drop branches during storms, clog gutters, and provide a pathway for pests to enter your home. Trees growing into or near power lines are a fire and outage risk. And trees iwth aggressive root systems planted too close to your foundations, driveway, or swer lines can casue thousands of dollars in damage over time. If a tree's location is creating problems or risks, removal is oftent he most practical long-term solution.

When in Doubt, Get a Professional Opinion

If you're unsure whether a tree on your property is a risk, don't guess. South HIlls Tree Service offers free consultations for South Hills homeowners. We'll assess the tree, give you our honest assessment, and walk you through your options -- whether that's removal, trimming, or just keeping an eye on it.

Call 412-543-8805