Not every job is a whole lot. Often it's a few trees near the house, stumps left after a storm, or a brush pile that needs to go. The questions are what it costs, whether the tree needs a permit, and what to do with the wood.
Published prices
| Item | Lawn Love, Dec 2025 |
|---|---|
| Tree removal | $385 to $1,070 per tree |
| Stump removal | $130 to $350 per stump |
| Tree and yard waste removal | $60 to $515 |
| Dumpster, 10 to 15 yards | $270 to $500 per week |
Does the tree need a permit?
For a tree on a single-family home lot, Florida Statutes 163.045 says the city or county can't require a permit, fee, mitigation or replanting if an ISA certified arborist or a Florida licensed landscape architect documents the tree as an unacceptable risk. Without that documentation, local rules apply. See tree removal rules.
Burning: the 8-foot line
The Florida Forest Service separates yard waste from land clearing debris:
- Yard waste that fits in an 8-foot pile or a non-combustible container needs no authorization, as long as the required setbacks are met and no city or county rule bans burning. Light it after 9 a.m. Eastern and have it out an hour before sunset.
- Bigger piles, over 8 feet across, need a Florida Forest Service authorization, suppression equipment on hand and additional setbacks.
- Land clearing and pile burning always need a burning authorization.
Ask the city or Lee County whether burning is allowed at your address before planning on it.
Before stump grinding or digging
Stump work and root digging go below ground, so request Sunshine 811 marks first. Florida's homeowner exemption only covers an owner digging up to 10 inches deep on their own single-family lot.
Sources
- Lawn Love: How much does it cost to clear land? (Sinziana Spiridon, updated December 27, 2025)
- Florida Statutes 163.045 (2024): Tree pruning, trimming, or removal on residential property
- Florida Forest Service: Forest Fire Laws & Open Burning Regulations (DACS-P 00149, revised 5/2015)
- Florida Statutes 556.108 (2025): Exemptions
Reviewed October 20, 2026. Rules, prices and contacts change, so check the source before relying on it.
Questions and answers
Can I burn yard waste in Fort Myers?
State rules allow yard waste in an 8-foot pile without a Florida Forest Service authorization if setbacks are met and no local rule bans it. Ask the city or Lee County whether burning is allowed at your address.
How much does stump removal cost?
Lawn Love's December 2025 guide lists $130 to $350 per stump.
Get your tree or stump job quoted
Phone or fill in the form and a contractor who works in Lee County will get back to you. There's no charge for a quote.
Reached voicemail? Leave your name, number, the address and a line about the job.