Trees fulfill important aesthetic and ecological functions. However, if the tree is sick, rotten or has become too large, it may have to be felled. This work can be very dangerous and requires specialist knowledge. We will clarify how much tree felling costs and what you need to pay attention to in an interview with the cost check expert. You will also find a lot of interesting information about this topic in this article.
How much does it cost to cut down a tree?
The costs for felling a tree vary depending on the size, type of tree and effort, but are between 600 and 1,100 EUR for a 20 meter high deciduous tree and between 550 and 1,000 EUR for a coniferous tree. Additional costs may apply for permits, root removal and disposal.
What costs arise from felling?
How high the costs for this measure will be can only be roughly estimated, as they are influenced by numerous factors.
The following table provides an initial overview:
| Cost overview | Price |
|---|---|
| Approval | 25 to 100 EUR |
| Exemption, the tree must be removed between March 1st. and 30.09. be liked | 80 – 120 EUR |
| Fell down a deciduous tree in one go | 25 – 40 EUR per meter |
| Cut down deciduous trees piece by piece | 35 – 40 EUR |
| Fell down a coniferous tree in one piece | 20 – 25 EUR per meter |
| Cutting down a conifer tree piece by piece | 30 – 35 EUR per meter |
| Remove root | 75 – 175 EUR |
| Disposal of green waste | 100 – 150 EUR |
| Total costs deciduous tree, 20 meters high | 600 and 1,100 EUR |
| Total costs conifer, 20 meters high | 550 – 1,000 EUR |
If you don't want to use the wood privately, for example as firewood, you can leave it to the company carrying out the work. How much you receive for the raw material varies regionally. The costs can almost always be halved, so that you only have to pay between 250 and 550 EUR for the felling in one go. If it is necessary to cut down the wood in pieces, the total cost for a 20 meter high tree is around 350 to 850 EUR.
Please note that these costs may vary depending on the region. These can vary even within the same community. It is therefore definitely worth getting offers from different companies.
What factors affect the price?
No two fellings are the same. Your individual circumstances will affect the price you have to pay for this work:
A permit is not required for felling very narrow trees
- As a rule, to fell a tree with a trunk diameter of more than eighty centimeters, you need a permit from the Horticultural Office or the Office for Environmental and Occupational Safety. The costs for these vary from community to community.
- The larger and thicker the tree to be felled, the higher the effort and therefore the price.
- If the felling is complicated and/or if you require additional work such as the disposal of the rootstock, these will also affect the costs.
- Do you want to recycle the wood yourself or leave it to the professionals?
- If a road has to be closed and special machines such as a lifting platform are required, this makes felling more expensive.
- If it is unavoidable to remove the tree during the nesting and breeding season, you will have to expect additional costs.
The height, strength and location of the tree in particular affect the price. This may make road closures necessary. If the falling tree threatens to damage buildings or power lines, it may have to be removed piece by piece. This takes significantly more time, which in turn affects the overall costs.
When can trees be felled?
The Federal Nature Conservation Act regulates when this work may be carried out. Felling is prohibited during the nesting and breeding season from March 1st to September 30th.
When you are allowed to have a tree felled outside of this period, certain regulations govern which vary greatly from state to state and from municipality to municipality. Therefore, please contact the responsible authority in advance of this project.
If you think that a tree is no longer he althy and needs to be felled for this reason, we recommend that you carry out a tree inspection together with a professional arborist. More often than expected, this can be saved with a professional cut and appropriate care measures.
Do I need a felling permit and how much does it cost?
When it comes to felling a tree, the property owner's decision-making power is restricted by law. Deforestation requires a tree felling permit once the trunk diameter reaches a specified level. You can obtain this from the environmental and nature conservation authority of the relevant municipality or alternatively from the public order office.
For a tree to be felled, one of the following requirements must be met:
- The wood is sick.
- Loss of ecological function of the tree.
- Negative influence on the development of the surrounding trees.
- No species-typical growth.
- The permitted use of land is prevented.
- The tree disrupts necessary monument protection measures.
Factors such as: are not sufficient for approval
- The falling of smaller branches, leaves and fruits.
- Resulting contamination of gutters and downpipes.
- Shadow formation to a normal extent.
Anyone who cuts down a tree without permission must expect high pen alties
Depending on the municipality, thetree felling permit costs between 25 and 100 EUR. You will usually receive this within three weeks.
Important: You should not have any trees cut down without permission, as this can be expensive. It can cost you a fine of up to EUR 50,000 if you cut down a tree without permission. Fruit trees that do not exceed a certain height are excluded from the approval process. You can obtain further details from the above-mentioned offices.
How does the expert proceed with the felling?
Most modern machines are often used for felling. This makes a precise assessment of the situation and planning necessary. As a rule, the professionals proceed as follows:
- First, the condition of the tree is assessed.
- It is determined in which direction felling can take place so that neither people nor animals are endangered or buildings are damaged.
- The specialist assesses whether parts of the crown need to be removed in advance to ensure controlled felling.
- You or the commissioned company must then obtain approval for this measure.
- Only when this is available does the felling begin. Different cutting techniques are used here.
- If you would like to have the rootstock removed, you can also have this work carried out by a specialist.
- Disposal can also be taken care of upon request.
Alternatively, can I cut down the tree myself?
Especially with smaller trees, you can definitely do the felling yourself. However, you should have the necessary expertise and equipment.
For the latter you have to expect the following costs:
| Cost overview | Price |
|---|---|
| Part of protective equipment | Costs from |
| Work gloves | 10 EUR |
| Safety glasses | 10 EUR |
| Cut protection gloves | 75 EUR |
| Helmet | 40 EUR |
| Hearing protection | 15 EUR |
| Cut protection trousers | 75 EUR |
| Work shoes | 50 EUR |
Please remember that you are only allowed to use this tool on your own property without the appropriate chainsaw license. But even in this case, for your safety, it is recommended toattend asawing courseFor this you have to choose between, depending on the provider 50 and 400 EUR calculate. In this you will not only learn how to use the chainsaw correctly, but will also be instructed on how to proceed with felling.
Important: Remember that you can only cut down trees in spring and autumn. You can only carry out gentle shape and care pruning to keep the trees he althy, even in the summer months.
I'm having trouble with the neighbor. Do I actually have to cut down a tree at his request?
A tree doesn't always have to be cut down because it bothers the neighbor
Unfortunately, there is no national regulation in this regard. The federal states' tree protection regulations regulate when a tree can or must be felled. Before you pick up the saw, you should ask the environmental office or the municipality whether the neighbor is right in his complaint.
In order to avoid disturbances, there are set boundary distances that must be adhered to from neighboring properties. Depending on the neighboring law of the respective federal state and the tree protection regulations, these are between one and four meters. If the distance is not reached, the neighbor may be able to request that the tree be felled.
The tree protection regulations often apply, especially with very large, old trees. The neighbor has to accept shadows and falling leaves. However, he can insist that overhanging branches be shortened.
Our tip: If your neighbor plants a tree and the distance falls below the limit, you should act quickly. Five years after planting the tree, the claim expires and you can only request that the tree be felled or moved in exceptional cases.
Are there alternatives to tree felling?
An old tree can often remain standing through professional tree care and securing. This allows:
- Maintain the vitality and therefore the stability of the tree.
- Treat illnesses.
- Influence the direction of growth.
- Minimize the consequences of damage that has already occurred and weakening of the plant.
If necessary, seek advice from a specialist. This initial consultation is usually free of charge. There are regionally different costs forTree care, whichdepend on the effort and are between 40 and 100 EUR per hour and person.
