How Much Does It Cost to Plant a Tree? [2026 Data]

In 2026, the national average cost to plant a tree is $300, with most homeowners spending between $150 and $2,000 depending on tree type, size, and location. Costs can reach as high as $10,000 for large, mature specimens that require specialized equipment and installation. Buying multiple trees at once or sourcing through your contractor instead of a greenhouse can help bring the price per tree down.

Tree Planting Cost Factors: What Affects the Price?

The cost to plant a tree ranges from $30 to $10,000, shaped by factors including tree size and species, site accessibility, soil quality, and permit requirements. Landscaping companies near you can provide an estimate tailored to your specific project, and the sections below break down how each factor affects your total cost.

Size of Tree

Tree size is one of the biggest drivers of planting cost, with prices ranging from $100 for a small tree to $5,000 or more for an extra-large mature specimen. Larger trees carry a higher purchase price because they require more resources to grow, and planting costs rise alongside them as the work becomes more complex and equipment-intensive. Costs vary significantly by size, as the breakdown below shows.

Type of Tree

The type of tree you choose is one of the main factors in the cost of trees. Common types will cost less than rare ones, and each species has different features, like whether they grow fruit. Here is a breakdown of average tree planting costs in 2026 by tree type:

Number of Trees

Planting more trees raises your total project cost but lowers the cost per tree, since most arborists charge a set fee for the first tree that covers their time, transport, and equipment. A single small tree costs around $100 to plant, while each additional tree typically runs $40 to $70, similar to how volume pricing works for services like the cost of stump grinding.

Tree Maturity

Tree maturity directly affects cost, with saplings starting as low as $20 to $50 and elderly trees reaching $1,000 to $10,000, depending on size and species. Maturity and size often correlate, but growth rates vary by species, location, and care, so the exact stage can differ. Maturity stage is a key driver of overall cost, as the breakdown below shows:

Labor

Labor for tree planting runs $50 to $100 per hour and typically accounts for around 30% of the total project cost. A small tree can be planted by one person in as little as an hour, while a large, mature tree may require a team of two to four people working a full day, along with excavation equipment and extensive site preparation. Hiring a landscaper also gives you expert guidance on choosing the ideal planting location and caring for your new tree long-term.

Transport Fees

Small saplings purchased locally can usually be transported on your own, but larger or multiple trees will require professional transport, with costs rising based on tree size and distance. Large trees often need specialized moving equipment, and longer hauls add further to the expense, as the breakdown below shows.

Permits

Not every city requires a tree planting permit, but some municipalities do for trees over a certain height or planted in specific locations, so checking local rules before you start is essential. Your contractor may handle the permit process as part of their service package, but confirming this upfront can save you from unexpected delays or fines.

Accessibility

Site accessibility directly affects your planting cost, with difficult-to-reach locations requiring more labor, effort, or specialized equipment, driving prices higher than straightforward, open sites where crews can work without obstacles.

Soil Quality

High-quality soil that is easy to work with keeps the project faster and less labor-intensive, which translates directly to lower costs. Rocky soil or heavy clay requires significant amendments to support healthy tree growth, which adds to your total, but it is a necessary investment since trees planted in poor, unprepared soil are unlikely to thrive.

Tree Planting Ongoing Costs: What to Budget For

Beyond the initial planting investment, trees require ongoing care to stay healthy and safe, and those costs grow as the tree does. With lifespans ranging from 20 to 150 or more years, budgeting for long-term maintenance is just as important as planning for the upfront planting expense.

Landscaping Services

Regular professional care keeps your trees healthy, attractive, and safe, with the specific services and frequency depending on the tree type and how quickly it grows.

• Trimming or Pruning: Annual trimming or pruning needs vary based on the type of tree and how fast it grows. The average cost of tree trimming is $460, and pruning costs $400 to $800 per tree.

• Fertilization: If your trees need a lot of nutrients or your soil isn't rich enough, you should fertilize them. Expect to pay $50 to $200 per treatment.

• Pest and Disease Control: Pests like wood-boring insects and tree diseases such as blight can disfigure and kill trees if left untreated. Depending on the treatment, estimate $50 to $200 per tree per treatment.

• Inspections: Not all tree problems are visible to untrained eyes. Pros should inspect trees for health and safety reasons, especially if they're near a home. Expect to pay a tree care company or arborist $100 to $250 for an annual inspection.

• Mulching: Mulch improves the health and appearance of trees by preventing water loss and weed growth near the trunk and roots. Depending on the mulch type and amount, replacing mulch yearly or as it begins to degrade can cost $50 or more per tree.

• Tree Transplanting: Removing a grown tree and planting it in a new spot costs between $300 and $1,000, depending on the size of the tree and distance between plantings.

• Tree Removal: You may need to remove a tree that is reaching the end of its life or becoming sick or dangerous. This can prevent expensive property damage or injury, but it's costly. Expect to pay $250 to $2,000 or more for the cost of tree removal, depending on the tree's size and location.

Irrigation

Trees thrive with deep, consistent watering, and a drip irrigation system is the most reliable way to deliver it, costing $50 to $1,000 per tree depending on tree size, location, and whether you hire a pro or install it yourself. Keep in mind that irrigation systems also require ongoing maintenance and occasional repairs. A more budget-friendly alternative is soaker hoses, which run $30 to $200 per tree depending on hose length and can be left out during the growing season or stored indoors during freezing weather, though you will need to mow or work around them.

Why You Should Hire a Tree Planting Pro

Planting a tree may seem like a pretty simple task, especially if it's a small tree, but hiring a pro can set your tree up for success. Hiring a local tree planting service for this job costs between $300 and $10,000, with 30% allocated to labor. However, proper planting can ensure your tree lives a long and healthy life.

Here's why it's ideal to hire a tree planting pro

Planting a tree requires more than just digging a hole. Here's why it's important to hire a pro:

• Tree planting specialists know the correct depth to plant a tree as well as proper staking techniques.

• They'll have the necessary equipment to handle larger trees and dig the appropriately sized holes.

• Experts will assess the soil to determine the best location for a new tree and can offer strategies to improve rocky soil, making it better suited for the tree.

• Pros can also perform aftercare tasks, including trimming and pruning, disease control, and mulching, to give the tree the best chance to thrive.

• They can recommend the best time of year to plant the tree.

• Trusted tree planting experts are trained in local growing conditions and the needs of specific tree species.

If you want to DIY tree planting

While it may seem like a simple job, there's more to tree planting than meets the eye, making it best to leave it to a pro. If you want to get involved, however, here are a few smaller tasks you can do:

• Propagating your own trees from seeds or cuttings

• Researching the trees that thrive in your local environment

• Making sure the yard is clean and accessible

• Purchasing the tree yourself if it's small enough to transport, and having it on-site and ready to plant

7 Ways to Save Money When Planting Trees

New trees are a long-term investment in your property and curb appeal, but that doesn't mean you want to blow past your budget now. Here are some of the best ways to save money when buying new trees:

• Change Your Perspective: If the trees you want are costly, look for ones that fit your budget. Look at pricing for native species that are also hardier and need less watering.

• Go Small: The bigger the tree, the bigger the price tag. Buy smaller trees and give them time to grow rather than forking out cash for bigger trees.

• Buy Bare-Root: Bare-root trees without soil on the roots tend to be more affordable than potted or burlap-wrapped trees.

• Shop the Sales: Garden centers offer seasonal discounts during optimal planting seasons, including late fall and early spring.

• Try DIY Propagating: Yes, you can grow your own tree. Learn how to propagate from seeds or cuttings, and watch your efforts grow.

• Free Trees: If you live in a location lacking trees, look into local programs that provide free or deeply discounted trees. The Arbor Day Foundation and similar nonprofits are great places to start.

• Choose Value-Added Trees: Cut AC costs by a whopping 56% by planting the right trees in the right places. Save an extra 3% off heating costs if you live in an exposed area by planting evergreens to cut the windchill. Planting trees even increases curb appeal and, potentially, property value. How much trees cost to plant and how much value they can add depends on the type of tree you choose, its size, and yard conditions.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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