Tree trimming cost in Pasadena by height
Height sets most of a tree trimming cost in Pasadena, because it decides whether the work is done from the ground, a ladder or a climbing rope. Pasadena's own quote data from homeyou covers trees up to 60 feet; a national guide from treesremovalcostcalculator.com covers the tall end, and the same publisher's Los Angeles guide says local labor runs 15 to 30 percent above national:
| Tree height | Price per tree | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 ft | $75 to $450 | homeyou, Pasadena (Sept 2026) |
| 30 to 60 ft | $150 to $875 | homeyou, Pasadena |
| 50 to 75 ft | $500 to $1,000 national; about $575 to $1,300 with LA premium | treesremovalcostcalculator.com (March 2026), computed |
| Over 75 ft | $1,000 to $1,800 national; about $1,150 to $2,350 with LA premium | Same, computed |
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Computed rows multiply the national range by the 15 to 30 percent Los Angeles labor premium from the same publisher. Quotes vary by site.
Tree trimming cost by type of cut
| Job | Price per tree |
|---|---|
| Crown raising (limbing up) | $100 to $400 |
| Crown thinning | $200 to $800 |
| Crown reduction | $250 to $1,300 |
| Utility clearance (private side, once safe) | $200 to $1,000 |
| Oak trimming | $200 to $1,000 |
| Palm trimming | $75 to $400 |
| Fruit tree pruning | $100 to $400 |
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treesremovalcostcalculator.com, tree trimming cost (March 2026). Per hour: $50 to $80; per foot of height: $5 to $15.
Oaks and palms have their own pages: oak tree trimming and palm tree trimming. The service itself is on tree trimming in Pasadena.
What the City charges to trim a parkway tree
The City prices its own trimming of public trees, which is a useful yardstick, though you can't hire a private company for a parkway tree in Pasadena. For a resident's out-of-cycle request, the City's fee schedule lists:
| Item | FY2026 | FY2027 recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Processing fee, out-of-cycle request | $163.15 | $167.93 |
| Small tree, about 12 in trunk max (up to 2 trees) | $413.78 | $425.91 |
| Medium tree, 13 to 20 in (up to 2 trees) | $755.42 | $777.56 |
| Large tree, 21 in and up (up to 2 trees) | $1,480.78 | $1,524.19 |
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City of Pasadena FY2027 General Fee Schedule, council agenda June 8, 2026. Confirm current rates with the City.
See Pasadena street trees for how to make the request.
What raises or lowers a trimming quote
- Height and spread, and whether a climber has to rope in
- Limbs over a roof, a pool or a neighbor's yard that must be lowered instead of dropped
- Years of built-up deadwood, or a thick palm skirt
- Lines in or near the tree (utility first, then private work)
- Several trees on one visit, usually cheaper per tree
- Timing: winter work before the spring fire-inspection rush
Fire-zone clearance follows the same pricing; see brush clearance in Pasadena. When trimming no longer fixes the problem, see tree removal cost.
