Tree Removal in Kennesaw, GA

How much does tree removal cost in Kennesaw?

Most tree removals cost between about $200 and $2,000, with a national average near $750, according to HomeAdvisor's June 2026 cost guide. A storm removal can run up to $5,000. These are the same cited figures we use for Marietta. Trees over a house, tight backyards, and crane jobs land at the top of each range; HomeAdvisor says hard access alone can add 25 to 50 percent.

Where you land in each range comes down to size, what sits under the tree, and access. A pine in an open backyard off a cul-de-sac is a very different job from a water oak leaning over a two-story house with a fenced yard and no driveway access. Always ask for a written price, and ask whether it includes haul-away and the stump. Our tree removal cost guide explains each bracket in detail.

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Kennesaw?

Yes, inside the City of Kennesaw you need a tree cutting permit from Public Works before the tree comes down. This is one of the clearest differences between Kennesaw and Marietta, where most single-home lots are exempt.

• Where it goes. The application goes to the City of Kennesaw Public Works Department, in person or by mail at 3080 Moon Station Road, by fax, or by email. The city notifies you when it is approved, and you pick up the permit at the Public Works office.
• What it costs. The permit fee is $25, paid by credit or debit card only. The permit has to be used within six months.
• Historic district. Homes in Kennesaw's historic district also need Historic Preservation Commission approval and a $50 Certificate of Appropriateness application fee, and the city may require a certified arborist inspection.
• What the form asks. Tree type, size, how many, where they are on the lot, whether they are near a stream, and whether HOA approval is needed. The city also asks that the work not block streets or garbage pickup.
• Cleanup. The permit says the property owner is responsible for all cleanup and debris removal, so make sure your tree service quote includes haul-away.

Do not start cutting until the permit is issued. If your address is in unincorporated Cobb County rather than the city, the city permit does not apply, but check with Cobb County if the tree is near a creek or part of grading work. Rules change, so confirm the current process with the city before you schedule.

Which trees cause the most trouble in Kennesaw?

Tall loblolly pines left between houses in the subdivisions, aging water oaks over older homes, and trees on the wooded slopes near Kennesaw Mountain are the trees to watch.

Much of Kennesaw was built out as subdivisions where builders saved stands of pines along property lines. Pines that once grew in a forest catch more wind once the trees around them are gone, and Georgia's red clay turns soft after long spring rains. A pine that has started to lean, or that has brown needles from the top down in summer, needs a look. Brown tops often point to pine beetles: the Georgia Forestry Commission says southern pine and Ips beetles can kill a pine within weeks in summer, and a pine they infest cannot be saved with spray.

Closer to downtown Kennesaw and on the older streets, mature water oaks and willow oaks shade older homes. Water oaks in particular tend to develop decay as they age. Mushrooms at the base, cavities in the trunk, and big dead limbs high in the crown are the warning signs. Some of these trees can be kept with good trimming and pruning. Others are safer coming down before the next storm.

What should I do after a storm in Kennesaw?

If a tree is on the house or a line is down, get everyone out of that part of the house and call 911 if anyone is hurt or a wire is involved. Stay away from any tree touching a power line.

Once everyone is safe, take photos before anything is moved and call your insurance company. Then call us and we connect you with a local tree service. Ask how soon they can come out. If the city permit process applies, ask the tree service and the city how they handle storm-damaged trees, since a tree already on a roof is a safety issue. Our emergency storm cleanup page and the guide to a tree leaning after a storm walk through the next steps.

What should I ask a Kennesaw tree service?

Ask who pulls the city permit, what the written price includes, and for proof of insurance. Those three questions sort out most problems before they start.

• Permit. Will you file the Kennesaw tree cutting permit, or should I? Who pays the $25 fee?
• Scope. Does the price include chipping, hauling the logs, raking up, and grinding the stump?
• Insurance. Can I see your liability and workers' compensation certificates?
• Method. Will you fell it, take it down in sections, or need a crane? Where will the trucks park?

For the full picture of how a removal works, see our tree removal in Marietta page. Nearby, we also cover Acworth and Marietta.

Common Kennesaw questions