Tree Removal Cost in Madison, WI (2026 Pricing Guide)
24/7 emergency dispatch: (608) 751-4171
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Madison tree removal prices by size (2026)
Full-service ranges used across our Southern Wisconsin guides — crew, chip-and-haul cleanup, and disposal included. Stump grinding is a separate line. Size gets you into the band; isthmus access decides where in it you land.
| Tree size | Typical cost | Common Madison examples |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 25 ft) | $150 – $500 | Crabapples, ornamental pears, small evergreens; drive-up access |
| Medium (25 – 50 ft) | $500 – $1,200 | EAB-killed ash, silver maples, mid-size oaks — common west-side and suburb removals |
| Large (50 – 75 ft) | $1,200 – $2,500 | Mature oaks and maples on isthmus and near-east lots, rigged over structures |
| Very large, hazardous, or crane | $2,500 – $5,000+ | Heritage oaks in Maple Bluff or University Heights, crane lifts over houses, storm-split trees |
Add-ons: stump grinding $150–$500 per stump; wood left in rounds takes a little off. Crane jobs are priced by job shape in the crane cost guide; the statewide picture is in the Wisconsin cost guide.
Why Madison quotes swing
Three kinds of Madison property, three kinds of job — the same split we see on the city hub.
Isthmus and near-east
Century-old silver maples and willows on 35-foot lots between the lakes. Everything is climbed and rigged past roofs and fences. These jobs land at the top of their size band — and a crane parked in the street is sometimes the cheaper answer.
West side and villages
University Heights, Nakoma, Maple Bluff, and Shorewood Hills hold heritage oaks worth keeping when we can. Removals here are preservation-adjacent: TRAQ-level assessment first, then careful rigging or a crane on a village street.
Commercial and campus-adjacent
After-hours windows, property-manager coordination, and certificates of insurance. Quoted as commercial work with a written scope — the same way we run Madison office-park and HOA accounts.
What moves a Madison quote
In roughly the order they matter here.
Tight isthmus and near-east lots
Tenney-Lapham, Marquette, Schenk-Atwood, and Williamson pack century-old canopy onto narrow lots. No truck access means every section is climbed and rigged by hand — the same reason a Madison quote often lands above a Janesville one for the same size tree.
Species and condition
Dead ash and storm-split silver maples can't be climbed safely and come down from a lift or crane. West-side and village oaks are climbable but heavy, and oak-wilt removals also need wood handling so the stem doesn't feed beetles next spring.
MGE lines and terrace trees
A tree in the Madison Gas & Electric service drop needs utility coordination before we work. Terrace trees between sidewalk and street are City Forestry's — we handle the permit. That adds lead time, not a surprise line item.
Commercial, campus, and HOA work
Office parks, UW-adjacent rentals, and HOAs often need after-hours windows, certificates of insurance, and a written scope. That's priced as commercial work, not a driveway quote.
Stump and debris
Chip-and-haul is standard. Leaving the trunk in rounds takes money off; stump grinding adds $150–$500 and is cheapest bundled with the removal.
Emergency and after-hours
A tree on the house carries an urgency premium over the same tree scheduled next week. Insurance often covers removal when a tree hits an insured structure; we document for the claim. Call (608) 716-4167, or (608) 751-4171 for 24/7 HQ dispatch.
Permits, and how to compare quotes
Private-property removals in Madison generally need no permit. Terrace trees go through City Forestry; village trees in Maple Bluff and Shorewood Hills go through their foresters. We handle the coordination.
- Chip-and-haul cleanup and disposal
- Stump grinding — included, add-on price, or not
- How the tree comes down (climb, lift, crane) and how the lawn is protected
- MGE or City Forestry coordination if lines or terrace trees are involved
- Certificate of insurance, ISA and TCIA credentials
- A start window, and what happens if weather moves it
Estimates from 2909 Landmark Pl, Suite #215B — same crews that run Middleton, Verona, Sun Prairie, and Waunakee.
What Madison-area Homeowners Say About Us
4.9 stars across 935 Google reviews of our Janesville, Madison, and Fort Atkinson crews — pulled live from Google, not hand-picked.
The Tree Wise Men team did a great job, grinding the stump, cleaning up the debris, and spreading grass seed with straw to get the new growth going. Great working with them!
Jay Flaherty
in the last week · Fort Atkinson listing
Good job guys I would recommend tree wiseman for sure.
Cindy Cairns
in the last week · Fort Atkinson listing
We have trusted tree Wiseman with all of our tree removal and stump grinding needs. They get the job done fast and professionally without question. We highly recommend them to anyone with treeremoval needs.
michael Peterson
in the last week · Fort Atkinson listing
Madison Tree Removal Cost FAQs
Straight answers from the crew that works Dane County from Landmark Pl.
How much does tree removal cost in Madison, WI?
Most residential tree removals in Madison and Dane County run $600 to $2,800 in 2026, with small ornamentals at the statewide $150–$500 band and large or structure-adjacent jobs $2,500–$5,000 or more. Tight isthmus lots, MGE coordination, and City terrace permits are the usual reasons a Madison quote sits above an open Rock County lot. Free on-site estimates from our Landmark Pl office: (608) 716-4167.
Why is my Madison quote higher than a Janesville quote for the same size tree?
Almost always access and coordination. Isthmus and near-east lots have large trees with no equipment path, so the tree comes down piece by piece on ropes. Terrace and utility work add scheduling. The same 60-foot maple with drive-up access in a Janesville subdivision is a faster job.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Madison?
Private-property removals in Madison generally do not need a permit. Terrace trees between the sidewalk and street are the City Forestry Division's, and we coordinate that work. Maple Bluff and Shorewood Hills have their own village foresters. Historic districts such as University Heights can add preservation review. We handle the research.
How much does stump grinding cost in Madison?
Stump grinding runs $150 to $500 per stump depending on diameter, ground 6 to 16 inches below grade. It's cheapest bundled with the removal. Tight isthmus lots sometimes need compact equipment; older west-side oaks leave wide root flares at the upper end of the band.
Is emergency tree removal more expensive in Madison?
Yes — storm and after-hours removals carry a premium for urgency and the added risk of a tree already on a structure. Homeowner's insurance often covers removal when a tree hits your house, garage, or vehicle. We run 24/7 response; the Madison office is (608) 716-4167 and HQ dispatch is (608) 751-4171.
How do I get an accurate Madison quote?
Photos help us triage, but the on-site visit sets the number — access, lean, and targets can't be judged from a picture. An ISA Certified Arborist walks the property and gives you a written quote spelling out cleanup, stump, and start window. It's free. Call (608) 716-4167 or book online.
Get your exact Madison number — free
An ISA Certified Arborist walks the property and gives you a written quote. Tree already on the house? Call the Madison office or 24/7 HQ dispatch.