See what it actually costs to plant a tree — pick a size, your region, and whether you're hiring a pro or doing it yourself.
Choose your tree size, region, quantity, and installation type. The estimate updates instantly, with a full cost breakdown shown alongside or below.
Get your planting cost estimate in a few simple steps.
From bare-root saplings to large balled & burlapped specimens.
Labor rates vary across the U.S. — pick the closest match.
Professional includes labor; DIY counts only the tree and materials.
See a cost range instantly, with the full breakdown beside it.
The short version, before you get into the calculator above.
To professionally plant one 15-gallon container tree with staking, the most common size for a residential yard, in a Midwest-priced region.
That's the labor portion alone for a 15-gallon tree in the Midwest — skip professional installation and you only pay for the tree and materials.
The full span from a professionally planted sapling at the low end to a large balled & burlapped tree at the high end, Midwest pricing.
| Tree Size | Tree Cost | Labor (Professional) | Installed Range (Midwest, w/ staking) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bare root / sapling | $20 – $75 | $50 – $150 | $100 – $305 |
| Container, 5 gallon | $60 – $200 | $100 – $300 | $190 – $580 |
| Container, 15 gallon | $150 – $450 | $200 – $500 | $380 – $1,030 |
| Balled & burlapped (large) | $250 – $1,000+ | $400 – $1,200 | $680 – $2,280 |
Installed ranges assume Midwest labor rates and staking included. Other regions and DIY installation will move these numbers — use the calculator above for your exact combination.
The estimate combines tree cost, materials, optional staking, and professional labor. Regional pricing adjusts the labor portion.
The price of the tree itself, based on size and stock type — bare root, container, or balled & burlapped.
Crew time to dig, place, and backfill, scaled to tree size and how many trees you're planting. Only applies in Professional mode.
Mulch and basic planting materials are included as a small estimated materials allowance, added to every tree regardless of size or installation mode.
Labor cost is adjusted up or down based on typical wage differences across four broad U.S. regions.
Staking or tree support, toggled on or off — mainly worth it for young, top-heavy, or bare-root trees.
About Professional vs. DIY: this isn't a sixth cost component — it's a switch. Choosing DIY sets Installation/Labor to $0 and only totals the Tree Cost, Materials, and Staking.
What runs behind the scenes when you adjust the calculator above.
(Tree Cost + Mulch + Staking) × Quantity
Labor Cost (by size) × Regional Multiplier × Quantity
Labor Cost = $0 — only Tree + Materials applies
Total = (Tree + Materials) + Labor
Important: This is an estimate built from general U.S. cost ranges, not a quote from a specific contractor. Get a written quote before budgeting a project around this number.
Labor is one of the biggest cost drivers that varies by location. Here's how our regional assumptions compare, using a 15-gallon tree as the example.
| Region | Labor Cost vs. Midwest Baseline | Multiplier Used | Example: 15-Gal Tree, Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | +20–30% | 1.25× | $430 – $1,155 |
| West | +15–25% | 1.20× | $420 – $1,130 |
| Midwest | Baseline | 1.00× | $380 – $1,030 |
| South | −10–20% | 0.85× | $350 – $955 |
These are broad regional assumptions used by this calculator, not ZIP-code-level pricing — tree stock and materials cost stay the same across regions; only the labor portion shifts. Dense urban areas within any region often run toward the higher end due to access and parking constraints.
Quick answers to common questions about planting cost.
Yes — a full planting quote usually lists the tree as its own line item, separate from labor. This calculator breaks the two apart so you can see what you're paying for each.
Not always automatically. Many installers add mulch and soil amendments as a finishing step, but it can be billed separately — this calculator includes a small materials range to account for it.
No. Staking mainly helps young, top-heavy, or bare-root trees in windy or exposed sites. A well-rooted container tree in a sheltered spot often doesn't need it, which is why staking is optional here.