Average cost by town
| Town | Average removal | Reported range | Stump removal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomsburg | $420 | $168–$648 | $133 |
| Danville | $533 | $300–$800 | $140 |
| Berwick | $595 | $227–$947 | $150 |
| Lewisburg | $500 | $8–$15 per foot | $145 |
| Sunbury | $447 | $177–$694 | $141 |
What actually moves the price
Size
A 30-foot ornamental and an 80-foot oak are different jobs entirely. Height, trunk diameter, and canopy spread set the baseline.
Access
Bucket-truck access from a driveway is cheap. Backyard trees behind fences, on slopes, or over structures must be climbed and rigged down.
Condition
Dead, cracked, or storm-hung trees are slower and riskier to work. Dead ash in particular can become unclimbable.
Cleanup
Hauling, chipping, log-bucking for firewood, and stump grinding are usually line items — ask what's included.
Frequently asked
How much does tree removal cost in central Pennsylvania?
Across the Susquehanna Valley, reported averages run $420–$600 per tree, with small trees from under $200 and large or hazardous removals reaching $950 or more. Size, condition, and access drive the price.
Why do quotes for the same tree vary so much?
Access and risk. A tree a bucket truck can reach from the driveway is a fraction of the cost of the same tree rigged down piece-by-piece over a house. Dead or storm-cracked trees also take more care to work safely.
Does homeowners insurance pay for tree removal?
Usually only when the tree fell on a covered structure (house, garage, fence) — and typically with a cap, often around $500–$1,000 per tree. A standing healthy or dead tree is normally the owner’s cost.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree?
On your own property, usually not in this region. In the public right-of-way — the strip along the street — most boroughs (Bloomsburg, Lewisburg, Danville, Berwick) require approval. A reputable crew handles this.
Is a dead ash tree really urgent?
Yes. Emerald ash borer has killed ash across the valley, and dead ash gets dangerously brittle within a year or two — eventually it cannot be safely climbed, which makes removal more complex and expensive. Sooner is cheaper.