NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database · public county data, not a national estimate
A dead tree in a Florida yard is a growing hazard — as it decays it loses strength, drops limbs, and eventually falls, so removal before storm season or before it's over something is the safe move.
Handle it soon — these get more expensive with time.
Common causes:
• Disease, pests, or age killing the tree
• Lightning, drought, or flooding stress
• Root damage from construction or grading
• Decay that spreads and weakens the trunk
• Leaving a dead tree standing over the house or a walkway
• Waiting until storm season to deal with it
• Assuming a bare tree is just dormant when it's dead
• No proof of insurance or a track record — Florida doesn't license this trade, so those are what protect you
How urgent is removing a dead tree?
More urgent the closer it is to a structure, walkway, or where people gather. A dead tree only gets weaker — it drops limbs and eventually falls, unpredictably. In Florida, getting it down before hurricane season removes a hazard that storms love to turn into damage. An open-field dead tree is less pressing.
How do I know if a tree is actually dead?
Signs include no leaves in the growing season, brittle bare branches that snap rather than bend, peeling bark, fungus at the base, and hollow or soft wood. A little dieback can be pruned, but a fully dead tree won't recover. An arborist can confirm and advise whether it's a hazard worth removing now.
Tree removal: $400–$4,000 (typical ~$1,200)
Priced by tree size, height, and access — a small tree is a few hundred; a large or hard-to-reach one runs into the thousands. Proximity to the house or lines adds to it.
Curated Florida 2026 estimate — installed cost for a typical FL single-family home, not a bid.
Florida does NOT issue a state license for this trade (local licensing was preempted for most non-structural trades). What protects you instead: general-liability insurance, workers’ comp, and a real track record — exactly what our verification checks.
Whether a permit applies depends on scope — when in doubt, ask the county building department before work starts.
Basis: HB 735 (2021) local-license preemption.
Your request goes to a single verified Tree Service pro in your area — you stay anonymous until you tap connect, and we never sell your info.
Branches Over Roof · Emergency Tree Removal · How Much To Remove A Large Tree
Covered: Lee · Pinellas · Sarasota · Charlotte · Hillsborough · Manatee | As of 2026-07-15 | Local numbers appear only when the sample is large enough to protect privacy.