Tree Planting Cost Calculator
A tree planting cost calculator multiplies the tree count by material and labor per tree: 5 trees at $80 plus $60 each totals $700, or $140 per tree.
Tree planting cost calculator
A tree planting cost calculator multiplies the number of trees by two prices per tree: what you pay for the tree and what you pay for the work. Five trees at $80 for the tree and $60 for planting is 5 × $80 + 5 × $60 = $700, or $140 per planted tree.
It shows three lines, total installed cost, material cost and labor cost.
The formula in plain words
- Material cost = trees × material price per tree.
- Labor cost = trees × labor price per tree.
- Total = material cost + labor cost.
Material means the tree and any supplies that go with it. Labor means digging, setting, backfilling, staking and watering in.
Worked examples
The defaults, 5 trees:
- Material: 5 × $80 = $400
- Labor: 5 × $60 = $300
- Total: $700
A larger planting of smaller trees, 12 trees at $150 each and $90 labor each:
- Material: 12 × $150 = $1,800
- Labor: 12 × $90 = $1,080
- Total: $2,880
A single specimen tree, $250 for the tree and $200 for planting:
- Total: $250 + $200 = $450
These prices are example inputs, not quotes. Nursery and installer prices vary by region and by the size of the tree.
Total at two example per-tree prices
| Trees | At $140 per tree | At $240 per tree |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $140 | $240 |
| 3 | $420 | $720 |
| 5 | $700 | $1,200 |
| 10 | $1,400 | $2,400 |
| 20 | $2,800 | $4,800 |
The two columns are the default per-tree price ($80 plus $60) and a higher one ($150 plus $90). Use your own quotes for the final number.
What is often left out
- Stakes and ties for young trees.
- Mulch around the base. Use the mulch calculator for the volume.
- Soil amendments, if the native soil is poor.
- A watering bag or temporary irrigation.
- Delivery from the nursery.
- Equipment rental for large trees.
- Haul-away of extra soil.
- Permits where a local rule requires them.
Add any of these to the per-tree material or labor price.
Planting basics that affect cost
A hole should be about two to three times the width of the root ball, but only as deep as the root ball is tall. The top of the root flare should sit at or slightly above the surrounding soil. Planting too deep is a common cause of slow decline. Water the tree thoroughly after planting and keep watering through the first growing season.
Digging a wide hole in hard clay or rocky ground takes longer, which is why labor goes up in those soils. A crew can quote this more accurately after seeing the site.
How far apart to plant
The spacing decides how many trees you buy. Crowded trees compete for light and water, while wide spacing wastes space. The tree spacing calculator finds how many trees fit a given area for a chosen spacing. Check the mature width of the species on the nursery tag, and keep trees away from buildings, septic systems and overhead lines.
How to get the two numbers
- Material: price the tree at a local nursery, at the container or ball size you plan to buy.
- Labor: ask a landscaper for a per-tree planting price, or estimate your hours and an hourly rate.
- Divide any lump sum quote by the number of trees to get a per-tree figure.
Common mistakes
- Pricing a large tree at a small tree’s labor rate.
- Forgetting mulch, stakes and water.
- Planting too many trees too close together.
- Skipping the underground utility check.
- Buying trees before the planting date. Roots in pots dry out quickly, so plant soon after delivery.
If the project starts with taking trees out, see the tree removal cost calculator. For rock edging or bed fill around the new trees, the landscape rock calculator estimates the stone.
Estimates only. Actual cost depends on your region, species and site conditions. Get quotes from local nurseries and landscapers before budgeting.
Frequently asked questions
How do I estimate what planting trees will cost?
Multiply the number of trees by the price of one tree, then by the labor to plant one, and add the two. Five trees at $80 each and $60 labor each is 5 × $80 = $400 plus 5 × $60 = $300, or $700.
What goes into the material cost per tree?
The tree itself, plus anything you buy for each tree, such as stakes, ties, mulch, a watering bag or soil amendments. If you price those separately, add them into the per-tree material number.
Why does labor vary so much from tree to tree?
A small container tree can be planted by one person with a shovel in under an hour. A large balled tree may need equipment, several workers and hauling. Soil, rock and the distance from the truck to the hole change the time too.
Does the calculator account for tree size or species?
Only through the prices you enter. It has no size or species field. Run it once for small trees and again for large ones, then add the results.
Do I need to call before digging?
In the US, call 811 a few days ahead so the utility locators mark buried lines. In other countries, check the local service. Digging into a line is dangerous and expensive.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.