Cypress trees are a popular landscaping choice, sought after for their elegant, conical shape and effectiveness as a dense privacy screen or windbreak. Their costs are highly variable, depending on the tree’s size, species, and purchase location. The price reflects the time and resources invested in its growth, with the final total investment extending beyond the initial nursery sticker price.
Price Ranges Based on Tree Size and Maturity
The initial cost of a cypress tree is primarily determined by its maturity and the method used to prepare it for sale. Smaller trees, typically sold in containers, are the most budget-friendly option, while larger, field-grown specimens require significantly more investment.
Small starter trees are sold in one- to three-gallon pots, stand under three feet tall, and cost approximately $20 to $70 per tree. These younger plants are light enough for self-transport and planting, but they require several years of growth to achieve substantial size. This category includes young Leyland or Italian Cypress, often purchased in bulk for hedge planting.
Medium-sized trees are found in seven- to fifteen-gallon containers, ranging from six to ten feet in height, and typically cost between $60 and $200. These trees offer a more immediate landscape impact and have a better-established root system than smaller stock. However, some mature, specialized varieties in this size class can reach prices closer to $500.
The largest, most mature trees are sold as Balled and Burlapped (B&B) stock, meaning they were grown in a field and dug up with an intact root ball wrapped in burlap and wire. B&B cypress trees standing ten feet or taller start around $125 and can easily exceed $650, depending on height and caliper. This method ensures the tree is established and offers instant gratification, but the weight of the soil requires heavy machinery.
Key Factors Driving Price Variation
Beyond the physical size, the specific type of cypress tree and its source significantly influence the final purchase price. Different species have varying growth rates, demand, and cultural requirements that affect their value in the market.
Common varieties like the Leyland Cypress are fast-growing, sometimes adding three to five feet per year, making them cost-effective to produce and widely available. In contrast, slower-growing or specialized varieties, such as the slender Italian Cypress or unique cultivars like the Blue Ice Arizona Cypress, command higher prices due to their distinct aesthetic or slower nursery production time. The Bald Cypress, known for its resilience in wet soils, is a specialized type whose price reflects its niche environmental tolerance.
The source of the tree introduces a notable price difference. Large national retailers (big-box stores) purchase common varieties in bulk, offering them at lower prices, sometimes one-third to one-half the cost of a specialized nursery. Local, independent nurseries charge a premium because they offer a wider selection of rarer cultivars, provide expert horticultural advice, and often source plants grown locally for specific regional climates. Limited availability of certain varieties in specific geographic areas can inflate the price due to increased logistical costs and local scarcity.
Total Investment: Beyond the Purchase Price
The initial sticker price is only the beginning of the total financial commitment, as several service and material costs must be factored into the final investment. The largest variable expense is the transportation and installation of the tree.
Delivery costs, especially for large B&B specimens, are substantial because they require specialized equipment like flatbed trucks and large loaders. For smaller container trees, delivery may be a flat fee or included with a minimum purchase. However, for a large B&B tree, the delivery cost alone can range from $100 to $300 or more, based on distance and site access. Professional installation is a major expense, with labor costs for planting a single medium-sized tree ranging from $100 to over $250.
Planting a large B&B tree can be significantly more expensive, with installation costs easily exceeding $500 per tree due to the need for heavy machinery and multiple laborers. Many professional services include a one-year warranty if they perform the planting, which adds to the cost but provides financial protection against transplant shock or failure. Ancillary materials represent a smaller but necessary expense, including specialized soil amendments, mulch for moisture retention, and staking kits to provide support in the tree’s first year.