Tree Planting Cost Calculator
Estimate the cost to plant trees from the number of trees and material and labor cost per tree.
How this calculator works
This calculator adds up two totals: the number of trees times the material cost per tree, and the number of trees times the labor cost per tree. Adding those two totals together gives the full cost of the planting job.
Formula: Total cost = (number of trees × material cost per tree) + (number of trees × labor cost per tree).
Worked example
- Trees: 5
- Material cost per tree: $80
- Labor cost per tree: $60
- Material total: 5 × $80 = $400
- Labor total: 5 × $60 = $300
- Total cost: $400 + $300 = $700
Notes
Cost per tree rises fast with size. A small container or bare-root sapling is inexpensive to buy and can be planted by hand, keeping both material and labor cost low.
A large balled-and-burlapped specimen tree is a different job entirely — it needs equipment to move and plant, which multiplies both the material and labor cost well beyond the small-tree example above.
How to use
Enter the number of trees you’re planting along with your material cost and labor cost per tree, priced for the actual size and species involved. The calculator adds up the material total and labor total to give you the full project cost.
Estimates only. Actual cost depends heavily on tree size/species and whether equipment is needed for planting — get a quote from a local nursery or landscaper.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to plant a tree?
Total cost is the number of trees times the material cost per tree, plus the number of trees times the labor cost per tree. For example, 5 trees at $80 material and $60 labor each comes to $400 material plus $300 labor, for a total of $700 — your own material and labor rates will vary by tree size and species.
What's included in the 'material cost' per tree?
Material cost typically covers the tree itself, along with any mulch, stakes, ties, or soil amendments used at planting. It doesn't include ongoing costs like watering, fertilizing, or pruning after the tree is established — this calculator is for the initial planting cost only.
Why does labor cost vary so much between trees?
Labor cost depends on how much digging, handling, and equipment a tree needs to plant, which scales with the tree's size. A small container tree can be planted by hand in a fraction of the time a large specimen tree takes, so labor cost per tree isn't fixed — it should reflect the actual size you're planting.
Does this calculator account for tree size or species differences?
Not directly — you enter your own material and labor cost per tree, so you need to price those inputs based on the specific size and species you're planting. A bare-root sapling and a large balled-and-burlapped specimen tree have very different material and labor costs, and the calculator relies on you entering the right numbers for your project.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.