IronJaw Clearing handles safe, professional tree removal throughout Summerville, Charleston, and the Lowcountry. Hazardous trees, dead trees, storm-damaged trees, and unwanted trees cleared safely. The owner assesses every job before quoting — you get an honest evaluation, not a phone estimate. $300–$2,500 per tree.
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Tree removal is about more than cutting down a tree — it's assessing risk, working within tight spaces, protecting surrounding structures, and leaving the site clean. IronJaw Clearing removes trees blocking construction, threatening structures, creating liability, or simply taking up space you need. Our equipment handles trees of any size in both confined residential yards and open rural properties.
Every tree removal job is assessed by the owner before we quote. Satellite photos don't show you the lean, the root damage, the proximity to the power line, or the rot that changes the removal method. We assess in person, quote fairly, and leave the site clean — tree down, brush chipped, site swept. No surprises.
Get a Free On-Site Estimate →Owner-assessed before quoting · site cleaned on departure
Dead trees fall. Hazardous trees fall at the worst time. Removing a problem tree on your schedule eliminates the risk of an uncontrolled removal that damages your roof, fence, or neighbor's property. IronJaw assesses every tree honestly before committing to a removal plan.
Hazardous and dead trees removed before the next storm does it for you — protecting your home, vehicles, and neighboring properties.
The owner walks every tree removal job before quoting. You get an honest scope assessment, not a phone quote that grows at the end of the job.
Tree down, brush chipped, site swept — not a stick left on your lawn when we leave.
Dead, leaning, and structurally compromised trees removed safely before they become a liability.
Professional removal for residential and commercial trees throughout the Lowcountry.
Trees removed to make way for buildings, driveways, additions, and landscaping projects.
Emergency removal of trees downed or damaged by hurricanes and high-wind events.
Mature hardwoods, large pines, and any tree regardless of size — we assess and execute safely.
Tall trees in tight spaces removed in sections to protect structures below — the precision approach for close-quarters removals.
Call (854) 300-4979Owner walks the property, evaluates tree condition and lean, notes proximity to structures, utilities, and neighboring property.
Drop zones cleared, equipment positioned, neighboring structures protected. Removal plan confirmed before the first cut.
Felling (open space) or section-by-section (tight spaces, near structures) — method chosen for safety, not convenience.
All brush chipped and removed. Trunk sectioned per your preference (firewood or haul). Site swept clean before we leave.
Hazardous tree over the house, dead tree in the yard, storm damage, or simply an unwanted tree taking up space you need.
Trees interfering with buildings, parking areas, signage visibility, or utility access — professional removal with commercial insurance.
Clearing specific trees before breaking ground on new construction — precise removal that works around adjacent structures and improvements.
Small trees under 20ft: $300–$600. Mid-size 20–50ft: $600–$1,200. Large trees 50ft+: $1,200–$2,500. Stump grinding add-on: $150–$400 per stump. Quote after on-site assessment.
IronJaw Clearing assesses every tree removal job in person — no phone estimates for work we haven't seen. Schedule your free on-site assessment today.
IronJaw assesses every tree removal job in person — no phone estimates for work we haven't seen. Schedule your free on-site assessment today.
Free estimate · No obligation · We call back within 24 hours
For reference
Adding stump grinding at the same time as tree removal saves a separate mobilization fee. One visit covers both — and it's the most cost-effective way to get the full job done.
How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in SC? (2025 Pricing Guide)
IronJaw Clearing provides tree removal services throughout the Lowcountry of South Carolina — from Summerville and Charleston to the rural communities of Dorchester, Berkeley, and Charleston counties. Below are the cities we serve most frequently. Don't see yours? Call — if we can reach you, we'll quote you.
"IronJaw mulched our 4-acre overgrown lot in Summerville. One machine, one day, no burn piles, no hauling. Mulch laid down clean. Way better than I expected for the price."
"They removed two large dead pines that were leaning toward our house. Owner came out to walk the job before quoting — honest assessment, fair price, cleaned everything up perfectly."
"Used IronJaw for stump grinding after another company did the tree removal. Five stumps done in two hours. Came out the same week I called. Highly recommend."
Land clearing, grading, and tree removal in the South Carolina Lowcountry are governed by overlapping state, county, and municipal rules. The biggest one — the SCDES NPDES Construction General Permit — kicks in at one acre of land disturbance statewide. But in the eight coastal counties, sites within ½ mile of a coastal receiving water drop to a 0.5–0.6 acre trigger, and Beaufort County kicks in at just 5,000 sq ft. Below is the working reference IronJaw uses on every quote.
| Jurisdiction | Residential trigger | Commercial trigger | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston County | >5,000 sq ft | >5,000 sq ft | Stormwater permit required before building permit |
| Dorchester County | <1 ac: EPSC + $100; ≥1 ac: full CAA | <0.5 ac: EPSC; ≥0.5 ac: full CAA | Lower commercial threshold than state baseline |
| Berkeley County | ≥0.5 ac: full stormwater | ≥0.5 ac: full stormwater | Manual adopted 2009 |
| Beaufort County | >5,000 sq ft (if zoning permit) | ≥0.5 ac county permit | Within ½ mi of coastal water, ≥0.6 ac → SCDES NOI |
| SCDES statewide | <1 ac: Form 2628 notification; ≥1 ac: NOI + CGP | Same | Fees $125 federal + $100/disturbed acre (max $2,000) |
| Jurisdiction | Grand Tree | Protected Tree |
|---|---|---|
| City of Charleston | ≥24" DBH (excl. pine/sweetgum) | ≥8" DBH — ≥1-acre lots maintain 15 protected/acre |
| Charleston County | ≥24" DBH (excl. pine/sweetgum) | ≥8" DBH — violation fines now $500 per DBH inch |
| Mt. Pleasant | ≥24" (historic) | ≥16" DBH; pine ≥24" — $50 permit fee via OPAL |
| Summerville | (no separate category) | ≥8" DBH — 16"+ goes to monthly Tree Protection Board |
| Dorchester County | ≥24" DBH (excl. pine) | >12" DBH; pine >24" — 1:1 inch replacement ratio |
| Beaufort County | Live Oak/Longleaf 24"; Loblolly/Slash/Shortleaf 36"; other 30" | SFR with existing dwelling can remove non-grand trees (except in buffers) |
| Hilton Head | Specimen live/laurel oak ≥30" | ≥6" DBH (Natural Resources Permit required) |
| Berkeley County | — | No county tree ordinance — NPDES & wetland rules still apply |
Heads up: SCDHEC's environmental functions became SCDES on July 1, 2024 — old permits remain valid; current site is des.sc.gov. Wetlands work additionally requires USACE §404 review and SCDES Coastal Zone Consistency certification. Tidal/marsh alterations need a separate SCDES Critical Area Permit.
Sources: SCDES NPDES Stormwater · City of Charleston Tree Removal Info · Charleston County · Dorchester County · Berkeley County · Beaufort County · Town of Hilton Head
Generic clearing advice from national sources misses what actually matters here. The Lowcountry has soils, vegetation, water table, climate, and regulations that shape every job differently than dryland inland work. Here's what IronJaw factors in on every quote.
South Carolina does not license tree contractors (§ 40-28-210(8) explicitly exempts tree/lawn services). The meaningful credential is the voluntary ISA Certified Arborist plus a verified Certificate of Insurance. Always request the COI and call the insurer to confirm it's active — many "licensed and insured" claims don't hold up to verification.
Removing a "Grand Tree" (24"+ DBH in most jurisdictions) usually requires a permit AND documentation from an SC Registered Forester, Registered Landscape Architect, or ISA Certified Arborist. Hilton Head's specimen live/laurel oaks ≥30" DBH are nearly impossible to remove (Aug 2025 amendment closed the SFR loophole). Confirm jurisdiction-specific rules before scheduling.
After hurricanes (June–Nov), out-of-state "storm chasers" flood the Lowcountry offering tree work. SC Forestry Commission and SC Attorney General both warn: never pay in advance, never sign over an insurance claim (AOB), get a written contract, and verify license + insurance. Use the SC LLR Lookup.
Live oaks (the dominant heritage tree across Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, and Beaufort) are dense hardwood — removal runs 20–40% higher than pine or sweetgum at the same height. Add the Grand Tree permit burden and the cost ramps further. We price by species, not just height.
Tree removal quotes typically include cutting the tree down to a stump; grinding the stump is a separate line item ($120–$400/stump or ~$3.15/linear inch in Charleston). Confirm whether your quote includes stump grinding before comparing — most "below-market" quotes simply leave the stump.
What homeowners and property owners want to know before hiring a tree removal contractor in the Lowcountry.
Call (854) 300-4979$300–$2,500 per tree depending on height, trunk diameter, and proximity to structures. Small trees under 20 feet: $300–$600. Mid-size 20–50 feet: $600–$1,200. Large trees 50+ feet: $1,200–$2,500. Stump grinding is an add-on priced at $150–$400. IronJaw quotes after walking the job — not over the phone.
It depends on your municipality. Summerville and Charleston both have tree ordinances with diameter thresholds that trigger permit requirements. Dead trees and trees posing an immediate safety hazard are often exempt. IronJaw can advise on your municipality's requirements before we start.
Most residential tree removals take 2–4 hours per tree. A single hazardous tree over a roof might take 4–6 hours with careful section-by-section work. Multi-tree jobs are scheduled as half-day or full-day jobs with transparent pricing for the day's scope.
Yes — stump grinding is available as an add-on and is best done at the same time as tree removal. One mobilization, best price. We can also schedule stump grinding separately if you have existing stumps from previous tree work.
Yes — close-quarters removal in tight residential spaces is a routine part of our work. The owner assesses every situation before committing to a method. Section-by-section removal, rigging, and careful equipment positioning are all tools we use for close-to-structure work.
All brush is chipped and removed. Logs can be cut and left for firewood or hauled off — your choice. We discuss the preference during the estimate so there are no surprises.
Yes. IronJaw Clearing is fully licensed and insured to operate in South Carolina. The owner is present on every job — you won't get a crew without supervision. Call (854) 300-4979 with any questions about our credentials.
Free on-site estimate. The owner walks every property before we quote. Summerville, Charleston, and all of the Lowcountry.