How Much Does It Cost to Trim or Remove Bushes, Shrubs, and Hedges?

Shrub and Bush Removal Costs

Removing a shrub or bush, like a juniper, costs $75 to $125 per shrub, or $25 to $75 per hour per worker. Most pros figure costs based on what they want to make hourly. The total cost reflects drive time to the site, travel expenses, overhead, haul fees and any licensing or insurance needed in your area.

Costs by Size

It costs between $15 and $300 to remove bushes, based on size. The smaller the bush, the easier it is to remove: there's less volume and mass, and it's faster and easier to dig out smaller, single plants. 

You may also get a better price for removing multiple plants—but it depends. Removing six single bushes dotted around your yard is much less time consuming and, therefore, more affordable, than removing a six-shrub hedge or border. Plants growing close to one another tend to intermingle, creating dense, interwoven root systems that are challenging to remove. 

When looking at the table below, consider the average cost to be for a standard, single plant, the low end to be the cost of removing multiple single plants per plant, and the high end to be the cost of removing shrubs or bushes from a dense cluster, per bush.

Shrub and Bush Trimming Prices

Most professionals charge $50 to $75 per hour plus any hauling and dump fees of $25 to $100. Some pros charge $6 to $15 per bush, depending on how tall they are. You’ll usually pay less per bush or shrub for larger jobs, where you’re grouping dozens of plants.

Hedge Removal Cost

Removing a hedge costs the same as a bush, with every five feet of hedge equaling one bush. For example, if a pro charges $100 per bush, you’d pay $600 for 30 feet of hedge row.

Costs by Length

Taking out a hedge is often quoted by length, as it's easier to calculate than trying to count individual plants. As a general rule, every 5 linear feet of hedge counts as one bush. However, if the hedge is particularly large or dense, your pro may charge every 2 to 3 feet as one bush.

Hedge Trimming Prices

Hedge trimming costs $10 to $20 for every five feet of hedge, depending on how tall it is. Dump fees might add another $25 to $50. However, most professionals just offer a total price of $200 to $800 or charge hourly at $50 to $75 per hour.

Tree and Brush Removal Cost

Removing trees and bushes at the same time costs $100 for every bush and $250 to $1,200 for each tree, depending on its height. Tree removal costs $750 on average.

Shrub Trimming or Removal Cost Factors

How much you'll pay for your shrub removal project depends on several factors. The type of shrub, the root system, and accessibility all play a role in determining costs. 

Type of Plant

Not all bushes and shrubs are created equal. Some are easier to remove than others, and some are dangerous. An elder, for example, is pretty easy to remove because, although it has a tree-like growth habit, the removal is fairly straightforward. But a hawthorn of a similar size poses more of a challenge with its long, sharp, painful spines. 

Others, such as oleander, also require careful handling, as they're poisonous. So, if a bush poses a risk that makes removing it more challenging, you'll likely pay a premium in addition to more labor time.

Root System and Soil Type

Some bushes have wide but shallow root systems, while others have a substantial taproot, like a tree, as well as deeply penetrating roots. Those deeper rooted or more established bushes take more time and, therefore, more money to remove. 

Additionally, your soil type impacts the time it takes and the difficulty level of the removal. Thick, dense, clay soil makes root removal more challenging than light, sandy soil. Poor soil full of stones with little organic matter also makes for easy bush removal.

Accessibility

Accessibility is a big contributing cost factor. If the bushes are a long way from where the vehicles have to park or access is restricted or narrow, and bushes need removal in small pieces, you'll pay more, as it increases labor time. Similarly, if the terrain presents removal challenges, this will also increase costs. 

Repair

Landscape repair is an often overlooked cost factor; pros often don’t include it in the bush removal service, so you'll either have to take care of it yourself or hire a local landscaping service. Landscapers charge between $50 and $100 per hour, although, in general, they're more likely to charge by the job, rather than hourly. How much you'll pay for landscape repair depends on what you want to replace the bushes or shrubs with. 

If the space is on the boundary of your property, you might want to replace a hedge with a fence. Installing a fence costs between $13 and $50 per linear foot, depending on the material, height, and style.

You may want to replace disparate trees, shrubs, or bushes with flowerbeds, water features, decking, or a patio, or maybe you just want to fill in the hole and seed it with grass. Costs associated with these common tasks include: 

• Cost to install a flowerbed: $1,000 – $3,000

• Cost to install a pond: $1,200 – $5,600

• Cost to build a deck: $1,500 – $20,250

• Cost to install a patio: $1,900 – $5,500

• Cost to seed a lawn:  $550 – $1,150

FAQs

How do you remove bushes?

Remove bushes manually by cutting down into the ground around the roots and mechanically pulling them out of the ground. Make sure all underground roots are cut, including a tap root, if one exists. Be sure to check your local regulation about disposing of any large organic material; some locations include them in their composting services, while others may not. 

When should you cut a hedge?

You should cut a hedge before it begins to look shaggy—no more than 6 inches of growth in any direction. Too much growth and you may end up with “bald” spots when you trim it back. Bald spots and other problems are not impossible to repair, though you may spend more time and money to do so than if you had hired a local bush trimming service. 

How do you trim a shrub?

Generally, you use trimming shears or a powered hedge trimmer to shape them however you’d like. If you’re doing it for the tree's health, it’s best to hire a professional for your shrub services. If your tree has noticeable health issues or you suspect health issues, it’s best to reach out to a local tree professional before trimming. 

What’s the difference between a bush, shrub, and hedge?

A shrub is generally a little taller than a bush without any foliage touching the ground. A hedge represents a line of bushes, shrubs, and even trees pruned and shaped to form one continuous line of foliage.

Will a bush stump grow back?

Potentially, yes, a bush stump can grow back. Over time, if you haven't removed enough of the stump or roots, the stump can sprout new shoots that will eventually form into a new bush, albeit a leggy, widely spreading one. Therefore, whenever possible, it's best to fully remove stumps and roots.

How can I save money on bush removal?

Practicing proper care and maintenance over the bush’s life means you won’t have to pay for removal. But, if you must remove your bush, you can DIY it to avoid hiring a local tree trimming service. However, tree professionals know their way around hedges and bushes, meaning you avoid any potential damage and costly expenses to correct any DIY errors. Contact at least three local tree services to get the best rate.