How Much Does It Cost To Remove A Palm Tree?

Do you have a palm tree on your property that should be removed? It might be helpful to get an idea of the approximate cost. We’ve scoured the internet for tree removal quotes to get you the best answer on the average cost of palm tree removal. 

Based on the height of the palm tree, you can expect the cost of removal to be between: 

  • $100 - $450 for small (up to 30-feet) trees.
  • $300 - $900 for medium (30 - 50 feet) trees.
  • $850 - $1,800 for large (60 - 80 feet) trees.

If you are considering removing the palm yourself, you might want to reconsider. Keep reading, and we’ll discuss why palm trees can be difficult to remove without professional guidance. We will also let you know additional factors that can affect the total cost of palm tree removal. 

A man uses a chainsaw to remove a fallen palm tree from the front yard of his Florida home, How Much Does it Cost to Remove a Palm Tree?

Are Palm Trees Easy to Remove?

Tree removal is a risky business, and palm trees are no exception. If you are considering DIY palm tree removal, you should be well aware of the challenges because felling a palm can put you and your property into harm’s way.

We strongly recommend hiring professionals for tree removal because they have the right equipment, essential safety gear, and the expertise to avoid a catastrophe. 

Several factors not only make palm trees challenging to remove, but will also affect the total cost of tree removal:

  • Height.
  • Condition of the tree.
  • Palm species.
  • Location of the palm on your property.
  • Stump removal.
  • Clean-up. 
  • Emergency removal.

Height

Trachycarpus fortunei palms against blue sky (Chusan palm, windmill palm or Chinese windmill palm), How to Care for Palm Trees in Florida

Height accounts for most of the cost of palm tree removal. Small trees pose less risk overall because they are more manageable and involve less clean-up afterward. Large trees are cumbersome to work with and generate more mess to clean-up.

If you want to save a few bucks, consider cleaning-up and hauling away the debris yourself after professionals have safely cut down the palm tree.

Condition

If you have been trimming your palms regularly, you are in luck because they will be easier and cheaper to remove. Unkempt canopies are dangerous because loose fronds can fall to cause damage below. Because it is labor-intensive and time-consuming, removing unkempt canopies will add to the cost of professional tree removal. 

Dying or dead trees typically cost the same as live trees to be removed because the cost is primarily based on height. 

Palm Species

Palm trees have very dense trunks that can be difficult to cut through. Depending on the species of palm, the trunk may be either smooth, fibrous, or spiny. The complexity and diameter of the trunk will affect the cost of palm tree removal. Palm species with larger trunk diameters and fibrous or spiny trunks tend to be more costly to remove.

Location on the Property

 

The location of the palm tree on your property can significantly affect the cost of removal, especially if there are overhead hazards, nearby buildings, car-parks, fences, or other restrictions that make it difficult for professionals to utilize their equipment. Professionals might also need to use ropes or pulleys to direct the tree away from hazards so that it falls safely to the ground.

Clear any outdoor furniture, lawn ornaments, decorative lighting, potted plants, children’s toys, etc. from the vicinity to prepare a safe space for palm tree removal. 

Stump Removal

If you require the stump of the palm tree to be ground away, this is typically an extra cost from the professionals. Estimate roughly between $75 and $300 additional cost, depending on the size of the stump. 

Emergency Removal

If your palm tree has been damaged or poses a safety risk and must be removed immediately, you can expect to pay higher rates for speedy service. Check your homeowner’s insurance policy to determine if it might cover the cost to remove a hazardous palm tree. 

Additional Fees

Always get a written quote from professional tree removal companies before hiring. Do not hesitate to ask about additional fees such as compensation for mileage, for instance, if the professional needs to travel a long distance and haul equipment to your home.

Check with your local government to determine if a permit is required for tree removal, particularly for larger trees (over 10-feet) and protected palm species. The average cost of tree removal permits ranges between $60 and $150

How Do You Get Rid of A Large Palm Tree?

Especially for large palm trees, we suggest hiring a professional tree removal service for the job. By hiring professionals, you can be certain to have enough workers present, appropriate equipment, and safety measures in place for a safe palm tree removal. Start by doing a simple internet search for tree removal in your area. Check out GoTreeQuotes.com to get started.

You will also want to check local laws about large tree removal because it might require you first to obtain a permit. Again, consult a professional tree removal service because they will be well versed in the laws for your area and can best direct you throughout this process. Tree removal services can also recommend how and where to discard palm tree debris in your area. 

How Deep Do Palm Tree Roots Go?

A man uses a chainsaw to remove a fallen palm tree from the front yard of his Florida home

Palm trees have shallow, fibrous root systems. The primary root ball remains within the top 3-feet of soil, while the extending fibrous system extends outward to roughly the circumference of the palm’s canopy.

Do Palm Trees Ruin Foundations?

It is incredibly unlikely that palm tree roots would crack or ruin a concrete foundation because their horizontal root systems are fragile. However, for the health of the palm and safety of your structures, we recommend planting palms (especially larger species) at least 12-feet away from solid structures. 

Learn more about palm tree root systems by reading our blog, “Are Palm Trees’ Roots Invasive?

Do Palm Trees Increase Property Value?

Healthy, well-maintained palm trees that are neatly coordinated into the landscape can add curb appeal and effectively increase property value between 1% and 10% more than a completely treeless landscape.

That being said, it is all about buyer preference in the end. If your landscape is flourishing with palms and the buyer finds the look to be attractive, you are in business.

Here are a few tips for incorporating palm trees to increase property value:

  • Take care to select palm species that will thrive in your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone.
  • Be mindful of where you locate palms, so they do not pose a hazard to the property. 
  • Keep palm tree canopies trimmed and free of pests. 

Should You Remove That Palm Tree?

How Fast Do Palm Trees Grow?, Foxtail palm trees in the wind with blue sky background

If you are uncertain if a palm tree must be removed, consult an arborist to give you a professional opinion based on a tree inspection. Arborists typically charge by the job, roughly $150 for inspection and up to $400 for a written report. Arborist reports might be requested to obtain a permit.

Significant reasons for removing a palm tree include: 

  • Infestation is damaging the tree or spreading to other trees and structures.
  • The disease is damaging the tree. 
  • Irreparable damage renders the tree potentially hazardous.
  • Redesigning the landscape or building in the area where the tree is located. 
  • The palm tree is dead.

Our blog can help to prolong the life of your palms, and keep your tropical landscape healthy by planting, “11 Low Maintenance Palm Trees That You’ll Love.”

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