Published May 27, 2026
Loblolly pine removal in Upstate SC runs $500–$2,500+ depending on tree height, proximity to structures, and site access. A 40-foot loblolly in an open yard costs $500–$900. A 70-foot loblolly with beetle damage leaning near a house costs $1,500–$2,500+. Loblolly pines are the dominant pine species in Upstate SC — fast-growing, shallow-rooted, and prone to failure after drought stress or bark beetle attack. Martin Tree and Turf Care removes loblolly pines across Greenville, Spartanburg, and surrounding counties.
Why Are Loblolly Pines Removed More Often Than Other Trees?
Loblolly pines grow fast — 2–4 feet per year under good conditions — and reach 80–100 feet in 25–30 years. That rapid growth creates trees that outgrow their space in subdivisions built through former pine forests, which is much of Upstate SC developed since the 1980s. Their root systems are shallow and wide rather than deep, which makes them prone to uprooting in wind events. Under drought stress or following construction activity that damages the root zone, loblolly pines are highly susceptible to attack by bark beetles — Ips species and the Southern Pine Beetle — which kill the tree from the cambium inward. A healthy loblolly can resist a small beetle attack; a stressed tree cannot. Once beetles have killed a loblolly, it needs to come down quickly to prevent the beetles from moving to neighboring trees.
Loblolly Pine Removal Price Ranges
Under 40 feet, open yard: $400–$700. 40–60 feet, moderate access: $700–$1,200. 60–80 feet, open yard: $1,000–$1,800. 60–80 feet near a structure: $1,400–$2,500+. 80+ feet, near a structure or difficult access: $2,000–$3,500+. Dead or beetle-killed trees add 10–20% to removal cost because the wood is brittle and unpredictable — sections must be rigged more carefully because the structural integrity of the wood cannot be assumed. Stump grinding is separate — typically $150–$300 for a pine stump depending on diameter.
How to Tell If a Loblolly Pine Has Bark Beetles
The first sign of bark beetle attack is reddish-brown sawdust (frass) at the base of the tree or in bark crevices on the lower trunk. As the attack progresses over 4–6 weeks, the needles turn from green to yellow, then red-brown, starting at the top of the crown and progressing downward. By the time the needles are fully red-brown, the tree is dead. At that point, the beetles may have already dispersed to neighboring trees. If you see a loblolly with reddish sawdust at the base or yellowing needles starting at the crown top, call for an assessment immediately — timing matters.
Can a Loblolly Pine Be Saved from Bark Beetles?
A loblolly in active beetle attack cannot be saved by pesticide treatment alone — the beetles are under the bark and the damage is already done. Preventive treatment (bark spray or systemic insecticide) can protect unaffected neighboring trees. The only correct response to an actively attacked tree is removal before the beetles complete their life cycle and swarm to the next tree. After removal, burning or chipping the wood immediately reduces the beetle population that would otherwise emerge. For neighboring healthy pines, a preventive bark spray applied by a licensed pest control applicator can reduce attack risk.
What our arborist sees on site
If you see reddish sawdust at the base of a loblolly or needles turning yellow from the top down, do not wait. Bark beetle infestations spread to neighboring trees fast during warm months. Call us for a same-day assessment.
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