Kicking that towering palm tree to the curb? Well, hang tight, because what you’ll shell out changes with the tree’s type, how big it towers, and how easy it is to get to.
The average cost to remove a palm tree is $275 – $1,470. If stump removal is required, the price will increase by $150 – $350 on average.
Palm tree removal may be required if the tree is sick, dying, or infected with pests. This may cause a palm tree to become hazardous, so removal is recommended.
It’s no surprise that the height of a palm tree is one of the biggest factors in palm tree removal costs. But as you will see below it only makes up about 60% of the final quote price.
After tree height, you must look at other factors contributing to the price below.
| Size | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| < 30 ft. | $250 | $475 |
| 30 - 60 ft. | $320 | $1,250 |
| 60 - 80 ft. | $730 | $1,850 |
| 80 - 100+ ft. | $950 | $2,470 |
Other Factors When Calculating Palm Removal Cost
There are many factors that determine the cost of removing a palm tree. Here is a list of the top ones in order.
Tree species & size – This is a no-brainer. Taller palm trees will require bigger equipment like cranes and elevated work platforms. Additionally, some species have much wider trunks, so the quantity of timber adds to the cost of removal.
Number of trees – Multiple trees will increase the labor cost, disposal cost, and time on site. This all adds to the overall cost of palm removal.
Access – This is a bigger factor than most people think. The more difficult it is to access the palm, the longer the removal process will take, increasing labor costs and the overall cost of removal.
Tree condition – If the palm is in poor health affecting its structural stability, specialized equipment will need to be used to safely remove the tree. This will add to the baseline cost for the tree removal companies, which will be passed on to the customer.
Labor – Labor cost is one of the major underpinning costs with all other factors measured against. Any other factor that results in more time or more resources to complete, labor cost will be added.
Pests and Disease – Pests or fungal diseases on a palm tree can affect the structural stability of the tree, which means more equipment and labor will be required to remove the tree.
Cleanup and disposal – Palm trees can not be mulched and spread on gardens like regular trees. Their high acid sap means they need to be disposed of as general rubbish. This is expensive and adds 37% to the cost of removal.
Stump removal – If the stumps of palms need removal, a stump grinding machine will be used adding $150 – $350 of additional cost per palm stump.
Permits – Depending on the state and county you live a tree removal permit may be required. Permit prices range from $45 to $167.
Transplant – If your palm tree requires transplanting, this will be a lot more expensive than straight removal. Specialized heavy equipment is used to dig out the palm including roots and planted in a new location.
Emergency work – If the job is an emergency, expect to pay 200 – 300% more on top of standard prices.
Geographical location – Like all service and labor-based work, the cost varies by city and state. Below are some standard prices you can expect to pay based on location.
| City | Average cost (25 ft. high palm) |
|---|---|
| San Deigo CA | $425 |
| Los Angeles CA | $489 |
| Las Vegas NV | $499 |
| Miami FL | $412 |
| Phoenix AZ | $399 |
| Mesa AZ | $395 |
Palm Tree Removal Cost Calculator
Do I need a permit to remove a palm tree?
Whether you need a permit to remove a palm tree will depend largely on where you live. In cities where there are lots of palm trees, like Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, and San Diego, palm trees are protected. However, a palm tree on your property in Denver is considered a pest and can be removed without a permit.
In other cities where the climate is a little less tropical, and palm trees are not native, then they should allow you to remove them without prior consent.
To find out whether you need a permit to remove a palm tree in your city, select your state and city here to see your local tree ordinance.
Can I sell my palm tree or get it removed free?
In short, free palm tree removal is possible, yes, but it is rare. There are landscaping companies that specialize in mature palm tree transplantation, but everyone wants to sell their palm and the market is pretty thin.
If you have a run-of-the-mill palm like a Queen’s palm, then forget it, but if you have something a little more desirable like a Canary Island date palm, then you might be in luck.
Palm Tree Trimming Cost
Palm tree trimming costs start at $45 for small palms. The average range for palm tree trimming is $129 to $560 per tree.
Obviously, price is going to be determined by a number of factors such as how many trees, how tall they are, and their location on your property.
Check out our Palm Trimming Cost Guide for more price information.
5 Tips to Saving Money on Palm Tree Removal
DIY vs Professional Palm Removal
Removing a palm tree yourself is going to save you money, no doubt about it, but DIY tree removal is dangerous, especially with trees greater than 15 ft. in height.
If you have a palm tree that is smaller than 15ft, then you can have a go at removing it yourself. But anything larger really should be left to the professionals.
If you are looking to save money, there are many ways to do so while still having the safety of a professional arborist doing the work. See the above video for tips on saving money.
For more DIY guides, visit our homepage.
Palm Tree Stump Removal Prices
Palm trees are different from regular trees in many different ways, and the differences do not stop above the ground. Regular trees have a large taproot and some other large stable roots that have smaller roots off them.
Palm trees are different. They have fibrous roots that are the same size from start to finish and are very well seated on the ground. This makes them masters at withstanding tropical storms.
Palm tree stumps are very soft and quite easy to remove with a stump-grinding machine.
The cost to remove palm stumps varies by size and access, I have broken it down into a few different columns.
| 10 inch | 20 inch | 30 inch | 40 inch | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good access | $75 | $100 | $140 | $250 |
| Moderate access | $95 | $140 | $210 | $300 |
| Poor access | $119 | $190 | $260 | $425 |
FAQ's
Most palm trees are worthless in the secondary market. If you are looking to remove your palm tree, there is a slim chance you will be able to sell it. There are some palm trees that are desirable such as Date Palms and Phoenix Palms which landscape companies will pay you for to then come out and remove. They will then sell on for a profit.
You should always get a minimum of 3 quotes from local tree services before deciding on a contractor. There is a large difference in the price tree services charge for palm tree removal, so waiting to get all 3 quotes before making a decision could save you hundreds of dollars.
In most cases, homeowners’ insurance will not cover the removal of any tree. The only instances where home insurance will cover tree removal is if the tree has fallen over in a storm or any other act of nature. Considering palm trees are all but hurricane-proof, it is extremely unlikely they would fall over in a stiff wind. This means you will need to pay yourself to have them removed.
There are desirable species of palm tree that some landscapers and nurseries will pay good money for as they can sell them on or use them in their upcoming landscape project, but a lot of the time you will have the wrong type of palm or it’s too hard to get to and remove for resale.
Do a local search for “we buy palm trees + your city” to get a list of local places that purchase palm trees. Send them a pic and see what they say.
If your palm tree is protected or historic you will need to apply for a permit to remove it. To know whether your tree is protected, please refer to your local Tree Removal Ordinance or search Google for “tree removal rules + your city”. In states like Florida, palm trees are more likely to be protected because they are native to the area. They are less likely to be protected in New York. But before you proceed, make sure you get your facts straight as heavy fins can apply.
As long as the tree service has good access to the tree they will be able to work without you being there. They will not need access to power either. Most tree services will accept you pay via money transfer or they can swing past in the afternoon when you are home for payment. This will depend on the service but in most cases, this will be fine.
Every tree service quotes jobs differently, but in most cases, the price for removal will not include stump removal. You should always ask for a price with and without stump removal so you can weigh up your options. Stump removal can be expensive for much larger stumps like date Palms. Best to have the correct quote so there are no surprises on the day of the removal.
