Estimate hedge removal cost per linear foot and shrub or bush removal cost per plant, including root ball removal, hauling, thorn/poison ivy premiums, and access difficulty.
Free Estimate Tool
Estimated Range
$1,170 - $1,740
Confidence: High
Hedge, shrub, and bush removal pricing is driven by linear footage, height, root work depth, hauling, hazardous growth, and access difficulty.
Quick Answer
Hedge removal typically costs $10–$40 per linear foot depending on height (under 3 ft: $8–15/ft; 3–6 ft: $15–25/ft; 6–10 ft: $25–40/ft; 10+ ft: $40–60+/ft). Shrub and bush removal typically costs $25–$200+ per plant based on size and root depth. Root extraction, hauling, thorny growth, and tight access add significant cost. Use the calculator above for an instant project-specific estimate.
Updated 2026-07-20 for US homeowner planning estimates.
This estimator models hedge removal cost per linear foot and shrub/bush removal cost per plant using a height-band labor model. The base rate scales with average plant height (under 3 ft, 3–6 ft, 6–10 ft, 10+ ft) because debris volume and disposal weight scale roughly with the cube of height. Root removal adds labor per linear foot and per plant: cut-to-grade adds minimal cost; standard root ball removal (~12" depth) adds $5/ft + $35/plant; deep extraction (18–24"+) adds $10/ft + $65/plant for excavation and backfill. Hauling is modeled as a minimum $90 dump fee plus $2.50/ft and $12/plant for brush and root mass. Dense growth (thorns, poison ivy, invasives) applies an 18% premium for slower cutting, PPE, and disposal protocols. Tight access (gates <36", slopes, structures) applies a 16% premium for hand-carry labor. Regional multipliers are derived from BLS OES tree trimmer wage data by MSA. Output is a planning range (82–122% of modeled cost) — not a guaranteed quote. Always verify with a licensed, insured landscape contractor.
| Hedge height | Typical cost range | Primary cost driver |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 ft | $8 – $15 / ft | Low debris volume, fast hand removal |
| 3 – 6 ft | $15 – $25 / ft | Standard residential privacy hedges |
| 6 – 10 ft | $25 – $40 / ft | Dense evergreens, large debris volume |
| 10 – 15 ft | $40 – $60+ / ft | Tree-like hedges, ladder/bucket work |
| 15+ ft | $60 – $90+ / ft | Requires lift equipment, specialized crew |
| Plant size / height | Cut to grade | Standard root removal | Deep root extraction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (under 3 ft) | $25 – $50 | $60 – $95 | $110 – $175 |
| Medium (3 – 6 ft) | $55 – $110 | $130 – $220 | $200 – $350 |
| Large (6 – 10 ft) | $110 – $200 | $250 – $420 | $400 – $650+ |
| Extra-large (10+ ft) | $200 – $400+ | $450 – $750+ | $700 – $1,200+ |
| Option | Depth | Added cost (hedge) | Added cost (per shrub) | When to choose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cut to grade | 0" (roots left) | Included in base | Included in base | Budget only; future regrowth likely |
| Standard root ball | ~12 inches | +$5 / linear ft | +$35 per plant | Standard renovation; new sod/mulch bed |
| Deep extraction | 18–24+ inches | +$10 / linear ft | +$65 per plant | Replanting, pavers, foundation work |
| Factor | Typical added cost | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Debris hauling & dump fees | $90 – $500+ | Brush + roots + soil = heavy dump loads; municipal fees rising |
| Thorns / poison ivy / invasives | +18% labor | PPE requirements, slower cutting, special disposal |
| Tight access (gate <36", slope, fence) | +16% labor | All debris hand-carried; no machine access |
| Stump grinding (if requested) | $75 – $300+ | Separate service; often not included in hedge quotes |
| Backfill soil & compaction | $50 – $200+ | Required after deep root extraction; not always quoted |
| Market zone | Multiplier | Example metros | Typical vs national avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| National average | 1.00x | — | Baseline |
| Low (South / Midwest) | 0.88 – 0.94x | Dallas, Atlanta, Kansas City, Memphis | 10–15% below national |
| Standard | 0.96 – 1.05x | Phoenix, Denver, Charlotte, Nashville | Near national average |
| High (Coastal / Metro) | 1.08 – 1.18x | Seattle, Chicago, Boston, DC, San Diego | 10–20% above national |
| Premium (CA / NYC / HI) | 1.18 – 1.25x+ | Los Angeles, San Francisco, NYC, Honolulu | 20–30%+ above national |
| Common species | Growth habit | Root profile | Cost notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arborvitae / Thuja | Dense columnar | Shallow, fibrous mat | High debris volume; easy root removal |
| Boxwood | Dense mounded | Shallow, wide crown | Thorny; slow cutting; standard roots |
| Privet / Ligustrum | Fast, invasive | Aggressive runners | Deep roots; regrowth risk if cut only |
| Holly (Ilex) | Dense, spiny | Deep taproot + laterals | Hazardous thorns; +18% premium applies |
| Rhododendron / Azalea | Mounded | Shallow, fibrous | Toxic foliage; standard roots |
| Yew (Taxus) | Dense, toxic | Deep, woody roots | Highly toxic; deep extraction often needed |
| Burning Bush (Euonymus) | Vase-shaped | Moderate depth | Invasive in many states; check local rules |
| Junipers | Spreading | Shallow, wide mat | Prickly foliage; high debris volume |
| Oleander | Upright, suckering | Suckering crown | All parts toxic; bagged disposal; extraction standard |
| Leylandii (Leyland Cypress) | Tall, fast screen | Moderate, non-resprouting | Huge chip volume drives cost; cut-to-grade viable |
| Wisteria (fence vine) | Climbing runner | Runners root on contact | $20–$40 per linear ft on fences; multi-year regrowth watch |
| Yucca | Rosette clumps | Deep taproot + rhizomes | Regrows from fragments; full-depth extraction required |
$700 – $1,300
A 30 ft arborvitae/privet hedge at 5 ft height with standard root ball removal, hauling, and open access. Base: 30 ft × $21/ft = $630. Roots: 30 ft × $5 = $150. Hauling: ~$165. Total modeled ~$945 → range $775–$1,150. Add 20% regional if high-cost metro.
$2,800 – $5,200+
60 ft mature hedge at 8 ft height. Base: 60 ft × $34/ft = $2,040. Deep roots: 60 ft × $10 = $600. Hauling: ~$240. Tight access +16% = ~$460. Total modeled ~$3,340 → range $2,740–$4,075. High-cost metro could push $3,200–$5,000+.
$1,800 – $3,400
12 individual large shrubs at 7 ft avg. Base: 12 × $170 = $2,040. Standard roots: 12 × $35 = $420. Hauling: ~$230. Thorns/hazard +18% = ~$485. Total modeled ~$3,175 → range $2,600–$3,875. If deep roots needed: add ~$780.
$450 – $850
15 ft hedge at 3 ft (boxwood): 15 × $11 = $165. 4 medium bushes at 4 ft: 4 × $95 = $380. Standard roots: hedge 15×$5=$75 + bushes 4×$35=$140. Hauling: min $90. Total modeled ~$850 → range $700–$1,035. Cut-to-grade would save ~$215.
Hedge removal typically costs $8–$15/ft for hedges under 3 ft, $15–$25/ft for 3–6 ft, $25–$40/ft for 6–10 ft, and $40–$60+/ft for 10–15 ft. Tree-like hedges over 15 ft can reach $60–$90+/ft due to lift equipment needs. These rates assume standard root removal and hauling.
Bush removal typically costs $25–$50 for small plants under 3 ft, $55–$110 for medium 3–6 ft, $110–$200 for large 6–10 ft, and $200–$400+ for extra-large 10+ ft shrubs. Root removal adds $35–$65 per plant for standard extraction, $65–$150+ for deep extraction.
Not always. Many quotes default to "cut to grade" — cutting at soil level and leaving the root crown and major roots in place. Standard root ball removal (to ~12" depth) typically adds $5/linear foot for hedges or $35 per shrub. Deep extraction (18–24"+) for replanting or construction adds $10/linear foot or $65+ per shrub. Always confirm the root depth in writing.
'Cut to grade' means the crew cuts the plant at ground level and leaves the stump, root crown, and all roots in the ground. This is fastest and cheapest but the plant may resprout (especially privet, burning bush, honeysuckle). Root ball removal excavates the main root mass to ~12" depth. Deep extraction goes 18–24"+ and includes backfill soil. The cost difference is significant — cut-to-grade can be 30–50% cheaper than deep extraction.
Hauling typically adds a minimum $90 dump fee plus $2.50 per linear foot of hedge and $12 per shrub for brush, roots, and soil weight. A 50 ft hedge with 10 shrubs might add $200–$400 in hauling. Dump fees have risen sharply in many metros (2022–2026) due to landfill capacity and green-waste regulations.
Thorns, poison ivy/oak/sumac, and dense invasives (burning bush, multiflora rose) add an ~18% labor premium. Crews need full PPE (chaps, gloves, eye/face protection), cutting is slower to avoid injury, and disposal may require separate handling at the landfill. Some municipalities classify poison ivy waste differently, adding dump fees.
Tight access means the crew cannot drive a chipper or mini-skid steer to the work area. Common triggers: side-yard gate under 36" wide, steep slopes requiring hand-carry, fences or walls blocking machine access, raised beds with no ramp, or debris that must be carried 50+ feet to the truck. This adds ~16% for hand-carry labor.
Yes — cut-to-grade is typically 30–50% cheaper than deep root removal. However, many species (privet, burning bush, honeysuckle, multiflora rose, Bradford pear) will aggressively resprout from the root crown. You may face the same removal cost again in 1–3 years, plus herbicide treatment. For permanent landscape changes, standard or deep root removal is more cost-effective long-term.
Measure the continuous linear feet of the hedge row at ground level. For height, measure the average tallest point (not the trimmed top if it's been sheared). Count individual shrubs/bushes separately if they're not part of a continuous row. Take photos from multiple angles — contractors use these to assess density, access, and hazards before quoting.
Almost never. Hedge/shrub removal quotes typically stop at root ball extraction. If you want the remaining stump/root crown ground below grade (4–18" depth), that's a separate stump grinding service costing $75–$300+ depending on diameter and count. Ask your contractor to itemize this separately.
Rarely for standard landscape plants on private property. Exceptions: plants in conservation easements, wetland buffers, HOA-governed communities with canopy rules, or municipal 'street trees' in the right-of-way. Some cities (e.g., Portland, Austin, Seattle) have shrub/tree canopy protections that trigger review above certain heights or densities. Check your local planning department.
DIY is feasible for small hedges under 4 ft and individual shrubs under 5 ft if you have a reciprocating saw, loppers, mattock, and a way to haul debris. Risks: chainsaw kickback, buried utilities (call 811 first), poison ivy exposure, underestimating root mass, and disposal logistics. A 30 ft hedge generates 2–4 cubic yards of brush — most municipal yard waste programs cap at a few bags. Contractor value is speed, equipment, disposal, and liability insurance.
Late fall through winter (November–March) is typically 10–25% cheaper. Crews have lower demand, frozen ground protects lawns, and deciduous plants have no foliage (less debris). Spring (April–June) is peak pricing — high demand, soft ground, full foliage. Summer can be moderate but heat slows crews. Emergency storm work carries a 30–100% premium.
A fair quote itemizes: (1) linear feet × height-band rate, (2) shrub count × size rate, (3) root removal level with depth specified, (4) hauling/dump fees as a line item, (5) access/thorn premiums if applicable, (6) regional adjustment if not local, (7) stump grinding if requested, (8) backfill soil if deep extraction. Red flags: lump-sum only, no root depth stated, 'hauling included' with no detail, no license/insurance verification.
Hedge removal is priced per linear foot because the work is repetitive along a row. Tree removal is priced per tree based on height, diameter (DBH), species, and equipment (climber vs. bucket vs. crane). A 30 ft hedge of 6-ft arborvitae might cost $900–$1,500; a single 30-ft oak tree could cost $1,500–$3,500+ because of rigging, liability, and equipment. The calculator above is for linear hedges and individual shrubs — use the Tree Removal Cost Calculator for standalone trees.
Full guide with species tables, resprouting biology, worked examples, and contractor hiring checklist.
Open ResourceCitation-ready tables for hedge, shrub, and bush removal pricing by height, species, and root depth.
Open ResourceEstimate larger standalone tree and stump projects with equipment-based pricing.
Open ResourcePrice stump grinding after hedge/shrub removal by diameter and count.
Open Resource