How much does tree trimming cost?
Trimming one tree costs $430 to $640 on average, from under $100 for a small tree to over $1,800 for a tall one (LawnStarter, September 2026). On oaks, timing matters as much as price: the Texas A&M Forest Service says not to cut oaks from February through June, and to paint every cut.
Tree trimming prices
By the height of the tree
- Under 30 ft$85–$415
- 30 to 60 ft$215–$790
- Over 60 ft$475–$1,835
- An oak, any size$230–$1,480
Per tree, from LawnStarter's tree trimming cost guide, updated September 24, 2026.
Average prices in nearby cities
- New Braunfels: $122 small, $456 medium, $856 large
- San Marcos: $120 small, $360 medium, $760 large
- Boerne: $128 small, $460 medium, $688 large
- San Antonio: $104 small, $368 medium, $720 large
- Austin: $132 small, $436 medium, $920 large
LawnStarter city pages for New Braunfels, San Marcos, Boerne, San Antonio and Austin, October 2026. They don't say what counts as small, medium or large.
The branches cost extra to deal with: hauling runs $50 to $90 and chipping $65 to $125 (LawnStarter, October 2026). Ask whether the quote includes them.
When to trim oaks
Oak wilt is killing oaks across central Texas, and the beetles that spread it carry spores to fresh cuts. The Texas A&M Forest Service rules for oaks:
- No cuts from February through June. If a limb can't wait for safety reasons, make as few cuts as you can and paint each one right away.
- Paint every cut, all year. Pruning cuts, fresh stumps and damaged surface roots. Any paint works: latex, oil-based, spray-on or wound dressing.
- Best time: late fall and winter. July and August carry less oak wilt risk, but the heat is hard on the tree.
- After a big windstorm, check your oaks: storm wounds are a way in for the fungus too.
Sources: Oak Wilt Management and the TFS pruning calendar, texasoakwilt.org.
Some towns set their own dates. Boerne says no oak trimming from February 1 to July 1 (City of Boerne), and Dripping Springs makes it law from February 1 to the end of July (Sec. 28.06.055). Buda's code bars oak trimming from February 1 to July 1 unless an arborist does it (UDC 4.04.01), and Kyle sets no season but wants oak wounds that expose sapwood painted within 30 minutes (Sec. 54-12). See Boerne, Buda, Kyle, Dripping Springs, San Marcos and Wimberley for each town's rule.
Hill Country trees that need trimming
- Live oak. Give it room: it can grow surface roots (TFS tree selector). Trim it on the oak schedule above.
- Cedar elm. Drooping branches may need pruning, and aphids, powdery mildew and mistletoe are the usual pests (TFS tree selector).
- Pecan. Brittle wood that breaks under a heavy crop of nuts (AgriLife Extension).
- Bald cypress. Woody "knees" come up on wet sites, and bagworms can strip young trees (TFS tree selector).
Limbs near a power line
If the tree is near a power line, call your electric utility first. The utilities are blunt about it: "Property owners should never prune trees within 10 feet of a power line" (KPUB), and "never do it yourself" (PEC). Many take trimming requests for trees near their lines, but not every line is theirs: KPUB, for one, won't trim for lines under 600 volts. Each town page lists its utility.
Questions people ask
How many branches can you cut off a tree without killing it?
There is no one safe number for every tree, so ask the pro how much of the crown they plan to take off, and why. One thing to refuse: topping, cutting the top of a tree back to stubs. The Texas A&M Forest Service says not to top trees (TFS).
What month should trees be pruned?
For oaks, late fall and winter. October is "a good time to prune" on the Forest Service calendar, and January is when to wrap up (TFS pruning calendar). Skip February through June.
Should live oak trees be trimmed?
They can be, on the oak schedule: late fall or winter, never February through June, and every cut painted right away (texasoakwilt.org). Live oaks share roots with their neighbors, so one infected tree puts the whole group at risk.
Why can't you cut oak trees in the summer?
Mostly, you can: the risky window is February through June, when the beetles that carry oak wilt are most active, not the whole summer. July and August carry less oak wilt risk, but the heat is hard on a freshly cut tree, so late fall and winter are best (TFS pruning calendar).
How do you treat a tree after pruning?
On an oak, paint each cut right away. Any paint works (texasoakwilt.org). Some towns also set a time limit: Dripping Springs requires oak wounds to be painted within 30 minutes (Sec. 28.06.055).
How much does it cost to trim an oak tree?
$230 to $1,480 per tree, depending on its size (LawnStarter, September 2026).