Tree removal financing with credit cards

Whether a storm has knocked over an old sycamore or an evergreen is growing ever closer to powerlines, there are many reasons why you may need to remove a tree from your property. Several factors affect the price of tree removal, and depending on the job, it could end up costing a pretty penny. And although you could use cash to pay for tree removal service all at once, credit cards allow you to finance the project over several months.

Benefits of using a credit card for tree removal

There are a few benefits to using a credit card to pay for a tree removal. Here are some of the main reasons why you might consider this payment method.

• Earn rewards. Depending on the credit card, the bigger the purchase, the higher your rewards payoff will likely be. Using a credit card for tree removal, then, can help you quickly rack up points that can be redeemed for cash back, or miles that can be redeemed for travel expenses.
• Earn a signup bonus.If you have a new credit card, using it to pay for tree removal could help you meet a sign-up bonus requirement in no time.
• Strengthen your credit score. You can strengthen your credit score by charging tree removal to your credit card and promptly paying off the balance.
• Pay for tree removal over time. By taking advantage of a card with a 0% APR period on purchases, you can pay over time without worrying about accumulating interest for a designated period of time.

Credit cards with 0% APR periods on purchases

Paying for a tree removal service over time without interest can be a big draw for using a credit card. Credit cards with a 0% APR period on purchases not only let you pay off the service without interest for a period of time, but these cards often come with additional benefits, such as cashback rewards.

Credit card	Annual fee	Signup bonus	0% purchase APR period	Benefits
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card	$0	None	18 months	Get exclusive opportunities to purchase tickets to thousands of events
Chase Freedom Flex℠	$0	$200 signup bonus when you spend $500 in the first 3 months	15 months	Earn 5% cash back on up to $12,000 in grocery store purchases during the first year (excluding Target® and Walmart®) Earn 5% cash back on travel, 3% at restaurants and drugstores and 1.5% on everything else
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express	$0	$200 statement credit when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months	15 months	Earn 3% cash back on up to $6,000 spent at US supermarkets in the first year (then 1%1%) Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and select department stores in the US Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases

Compare credit cards for tree removal

Using a credit card with a 0% APR period on purchases can be a great option for financing tree removal if you want to pay over time. Compare more credit cards with 0% APR periods in the table below to find the best card for you. Look out for cards with additional benefits, such as rewards, so the card can be useful long after you finish financing your project.

Can I qualify for tree removal financing with bad credit?

Yes, but you likely won’t qualify for the best terms. For instance, if you have a low credit score, you’ll generally pay higher interest rates on credit card purchases than individuals with above-average scores. And if you take out a personal loan with bad credit, you’ll usually have to pay the loan off more quickly than better-qualified candidates would be required to.

When shouldn’t I use a credit card for tree removal financing?

Using a credit card for a tree removal service may not always be your best option depending on your circumstances. Here are a few reasons you may not want to use a credit card to finance a tree removal.

• You have enough cash in your bank account to cover the project’s cost, and paying for it all at once won’t result in financial hardship.
• Your credit cards have high-interest rates that will result in you paying much more for the project over time.
• If paying for tree removal with your credit card will bring your overall credit utilization above 30%, this may hinder your ability to get approved for future personal loans or additional credit cards.

Alternatives to using a credit card for tree removal

It’s common for homeowners to pay for tree removal with cash, but there are a few other options as well.

• Personal loan Your bank or credit union may offer tree removal loans, which usually have lower interest rates than credit cards. Applying for a new loan may hurt your credit score, at least in the short term, so be sure to consider that before making your decision.
• Home equity line of credit If removing a tree from your property is likely to increase your home’s value, you may be able to borrow from your home equity line of credit. Check with your mortgage company to determine whether you can use your credit line to pay for tree removal.

Average tree removal costs

The average tree removal cost in the United States is $650. However, depending on the tree’s size and your property’s geographic features, the removal cost can vary substantially. For instance, removing a tree less than 10 inches in diameter may only cost $150, whereas a tree that’s 24 inches in diameter could cost $2,000. And if you live in an urban area where homes are clustered together, tree removal will usually cost more than if you live in a rural community where the houses are hundreds of feet apart.

If you need to have a tree removed from your property, here’s a general breakdown of what you can expect to pay based on its size.

Tree size	Approximate height	Removal cost
Small	Less than 30 feet	$150 to $400
Medium	30 to 60 feet	$450 to $700
Large	60 to 100 feet	$900 to $1,200
Very large	More than 100 feet	$1,300 to $2,000

Features to consider for tree removal

Depending on the nature of the tree you wish to have removed, the project’s cost could be much more — or much less — than the prices listed above. Here are a few factors that could affect how much you pay for a tree removal service.

• Tree stump removal. Many service providers charge extra for removing a stump once a tree is cut down. If having the stump removed is important to you, find a service that includes it at no extra charge.
• Dead and fallen trees. Dead trees are generally easier to fell than ones that are still alive, and fallen trees simply need to be cut into smaller segments. In both cases, removal will likely cost far less than removing living trees that are still standing.
• Proximity to power lines. If a tree is at risk of damaging power lines if it falls, your local utility board may cut it up for free — but don’t count on them to haul it away.

How to save on tree removal costs

Using a credit card with cashback rewards is an excellent way to save on tree removal costs. For instance, if you use a Citi® Double Cash Card to pay for a $2,000 tree removal, you could automatically save 2% — that’s $40 back in your pocket. Here are a couple of other creative ways to save.

• If you have a wood chipper — or know someone willing to lend you theirs — you could shave $50 to $100 off the project’s cost by shredding branches into mulch yourself. You could even sell that mulch to local gardeners or landscapers to further subsidize the cost of your tree removal.
• Likewise, you could use an ax to split segments of a tree trunk into firewood, which you could sell to neighbors during cooler months.

Can I handle tree removal myself?

Depending on the size of the tree you’d like removed, you may think about tackling the project yourself. Performing a tree removal on your own could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars if everything goes smoothly. However, if you don’t have the proper equipment — or the expertise — required for the removal, the project could end up costing you much more than if you’d hired professionals.

Additionally, some municipalities require permits to remove trees that exceed a specific diameter, while other areas have no restrictions at all. If you’re thinking about removing a tree on your own, check local ordinances before breaking out any axes, hatchets or chainsaws. Permits can be costly, and if you undertake tree removal without one, you could end up paying a fine for not abiding by local laws.

Bottom line

While there are a couple ways you could finance removing a tree, a credit card may be your best bet depending on your circumstances. Using a credit card to pay for tree removal financing means you could earn a significant amount of points or miles. It also means you could pay off the purchase over time without paying interest for a period.

Now that you know how to finance tree removal, explore more ways to finance home improvement projects in and around your abode.

Frequently asked questions

• Will tree removal increase the value of my home?

  If you have dead or unsightly trees on your property, removing them will likely increase your home’s value. The same is also true for trees that might be obstructing an otherwise spectacular view.

• Is hauling always included with tree removal services?

  No, some tree removal services charge extra for hauling. Be sure to ask your local vendors if they include hauling in the cost of the removal.

• Is there anything I can do with branch clippings instead of throwing them away?

  Yes. Some local zoos may be willing to pick up fresh tree branch clippings at no charge to feed herbivorous animals such as elephants and giraffes.