Purchasing and planting a large tree is a significant investment in a landscape’s immediate maturity and value. In commercial landscaping, a “big tree” is defined not by its overall height, but by its caliper, which is the trunk’s diameter measured six inches above the ground. This measure, along with the size of the root ball, determines the tree’s maturity, survival rate, and final price tag. The cost for such a specimen is highly variable, influenced by biological factors, complex logistics, and specialized labor requirements.
Factors Influencing the Tree’s Purchase Price
The initial cost of a large tree is directly proportional to the time and resources required for a nursery to grow it. Caliper size is the primary pricing metric, as a tree with a larger trunk diameter and corresponding massive root ball represents many years of cultivation and care. A common formula used in the industry prices trees around $150 per caliper inch, making a four-inch caliper specimen considerably more expensive than a two-inch one.
The tree species also impacts the purchase price, with common shade trees costing less than rare or ornamental varieties. Fast-growing species require fewer years in the field and are less expensive than slow-growing, dense hardwoods that take decades to reach a large caliper. The source of the tree—whether container-grown, balled-and-burlapped (B&B), or field-collected—affects its value. Nurseries that invest in meticulous root pruning and frequent shaping produce higher-quality stock that commands a premium price.
Specialized Installation and Delivery Expenses
The logistical complexity of moving a large tree often results in installation costs that rival or exceed the purchase price. Professional planting is necessary because a six- to seven-inch caliper tree can have a root ball weighing over 11,000 pounds, requiring specialized machinery for transport and placement. Large truck-mounted hydraulic tree spades are used to excavate the tree from the nursery and then dig the receiving hole on site, a service that can cost between $200 and $350 per hour.
For trees exceeding 15 inches in trunk diameter or for planting sites with difficult access, a crane must be mobilized to lift the heavy specimen into position. Crane rental with an operator can cost between $350 and $1,500 for a minimum four to six-hour window. Transportation costs are calculated based on the root ball weight and travel distance, with mileage charges for large specimens often exceeding $10 per mile. The overall price typically includes a professional warranty, factoring in the cost of labor, materials, and the risk associated with transplanting.
Typical Total Cost Ranges by Tree Size
The total installed price combines the nursery cost and specialized labor, leading to distinct budget brackets based on tree size. A smaller shade tree with a two- to three-inch caliper typically has a total installed cost ranging from $450 to $900. This size is manageable with smaller equipment or a larger crew.
Medium-sized specimens, commonly four to six inches in caliper, are considered feature trees and require a tree spade for handling. The total price for buying and planting a tree in this range often falls between $1,200 and $4,000, depending on the species and site conditions. For the largest specimen trees, those with an eight-inch or greater caliper or exceeding 20 feet in height, the total installed cost starts at $5,000 and may exceed $10,000. This upper range demands the highest level of specialized equipment and crew size.