A crane lets a tree crew take a tree down in pieces and lift each piece away, so nothing has to fall. In Chicago, where big trees stand between two-flats, garages and power lines, that is often the only safe way. The tree service does the cutting; the crane does the lifting.
Every dollar figure on this page is a national figure from the publisher named next to it, and none of them is a quote from us. The publishers disagree, sometimes by a lot, so we show each one separately instead of mixing them into one range. None of them gives a Chicago crane rate. In Chicago, City crane and street permits, tight set-up spots and travel time can add costs a national average does not show. Figures read in October 2026.
When is a crane needed for tree removal?
A crane is needed when a tree cannot be dropped or lowered by rope safely. That includes a tree leaning over a house, a garage or wires, a dead or rotten tree that is not safe to climb, a tree in a yard with no room for sections to fall, and very large trees. Your tree service decides with the crane company. ArboStar's national figures put most residential crane removals at $3,500 to $8,000.
How does crane-assisted tree removal work?
The crane sets up, the tree crew attaches the crane's rigging to a section of the tree, and the climber cuts it free. The crane then picks the section clear and lowers it to the ground, a truck or the street, where it is cut up or chipped. This repeats from the top down. Big pieces come off in fewer cuts, so the job is often faster than climbing and roping.
Is crane tree removal safer?
For many hard trees, yes, crane removal is safer, because the pieces are held, not dropped, and the climber does not rely on weak limbs. It still has its own risks: the crane needs firm ground, a clear path from wires, and a correct estimate of each section's weight. The tree crew and the operator need to plan each pick together.
What about a tree over a house or garage?
A tree over the house or the garage is the classic case for a crane. Each section is held by the crane before it is cut, so it is lifted up and away from the roof instead of swinging down onto it. People should stay out of the house or the part of it under the swing path. In a Chicago back yard, the crane may set up in the alley and reach over the garage.
Can a crane remove a dead or storm-damaged tree?
Yes, and dead or storm-damaged trees are some of the best uses for a crane. Dead wood can break in ways that are hard to predict, and a tree split by a storm may be under tension. The crane holds the tree while it is cut, so the crew does not have to climb onto weak or loaded limbs.
Who removes the stump and the wood?
Usually the tree service grinds the stump and chips or hauls the wood, not the crane company. Ask your tree service whether stump grinding, chipping and hauling are in its price. The crane quote covers the lift and the set-up.
What about emerald ash borer and dead ash trees?
Ash trees killed by the emerald ash borer are a common reason for removal in the Chicago area. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says the beetle was found in Illinois in 2006 in Kane County, and its larvae feed under the bark, cutting off the tree's water and nutrients. A heavily infested ash cannot be saved. Dead ash can be hard to climb safely, which is why a crane is often used.
Do I need a permit for a parkway tree in Chicago?
Yes. The Bureau of Forestry issues permits for any work involving trees on the parkway, with at least 24 hours' notice per request and 10 working days for removals. The contractor needs a certificate of insurance with at least $1,000,000 general liability per occurrence. Trees on private land are a separate question, but the crane may still need a street permit to set up.
Want a price for your own lift? Tell us what needs to move, roughly how heavy it is and where the crane could set up, and we will send a written quote with the crane size, the hours and the price. Call or text (312) 964-8313.
This is general information about Chicago, Illinois and federal rules, not legal or engineering advice. For your own lift, check with the office named or a qualified engineer.