If you’re pricing tree removal cost by size in Frankfort, KY, the honest answer is that size — not species — drives most of the bill, because size decides how the crew has to take the tree down.
How Much Does Tree Removal Cost by Size in Frankfort, KY?
Small trees under 30 feet typically run $150–$500, mid-size trees 30–60 feet run $500–$1,200, and trees over 60 feet or with a difficult drop zone run $1,200–$2,500+.
Those are typical ranges, not quotes — a straightforward backyard removal prices differently than the same-size tree leaning over a fence, a driveway, or power lines. Franklin County’s older neighborhoods around Frankfort often have mature oaks and walnuts pushing 70–80 feet, which is why our full cost breakdown treats those as a separate tier from a 25-foot ornamental in a new subdivision yard.
What Counts as a Small, Medium, or Large Tree?
Crews size a tree by total height and trunk diameter at chest height (DBH), not by how big the canopy looks from the ground.
A 25-foot ornamental pear with a 6-inch trunk comes down with a chainsaw and a ladder in under an hour. A 65-foot white oak with a 30-inch trunk needs a bucket truck or climbing rig, rigging ropes to lower limbs piece by piece, and often a second crew member just for traffic or roof protection — that’s where the labor hours, and the price, jump. The International Society of Arboriculture notes that tree work above ground level or near structures and utility lines carries real risk and is worth leaving to an insured crew rather than a DIY job, which is a big part of why height and proximity — not just trunk width — move the price.
Multi-trunk trees, like a split-base silver maple, usually price closer to the next size tier up, since the crew has to rig each leader separately. If you’re also weighing a partial trim instead of full removal, our tree trimming and pruning page breaks down that cost separately.
Does tree removal cost by height or by trunk diameter?
Both — height determines the rigging and equipment needed, while trunk diameter determines how long the cutting and hauling takes, so crews weigh them together.
Do multi-trunk or split-base trees cost more to remove?
Yes — a multi-trunk tree usually prices closer to the next size tier up because each leader has to be rigged and lowered separately instead of dropped as one piece.
Is stump removal included in a size-based tree removal price?
No — stump grinding is priced separately, usually by stump diameter, and isn’t automatically bundled into the tree removal price unless you ask for it upfront.
Want a real number for your tree instead of a range? Get a free estimate or call or text (859) 310-1209.
Related: Tree Removal Cost in Frankfort, KY | Tree Trimming & Pruning
Source: International Society of Arboriculture, Why Hire an Arborist.
Last updated: September 4, 2026