Palm Tree Removal Guide: How To Remove Palms, Cost By Size, Location

Palm Trees adorn the subtropical and southern coastal regions of the United States, welcoming travelers to warmer climates; but what happens when Palm Trees become unhealthy and Palm Tree removal is required?

Luckily, there are many experts across the states who are equipped to remove Palm Trees.

This guide provides pricing information for Palm Tree removal according to size and location. It can also guide individuals in removing smaller palms on their own.

How To Cut Down a Palm Tree

It is always advisable to seek professional help when attempting to cut down any type of tree, but in open spaces where no property or humans are in danger, it may be possible for individuals to cut the Palm Trees down themselves.

There are a few DIY tips for how to cut down a Palm Tree that can help ensure the process is safe and successful.

1. Ensure permitting requirements are met. In some cities, permits are required for removing trees on private property.
2. Ensure the surrounding area is clear and safe.
3. Ensure the tools are sharp and in good working order (Ex. chainsaw).
4. Wear protective gear, such as eye and ear protection.
5. In shorter trees, use a ladder or harness to access the top of the tree and remove the palm fronds individually. This makes it safer to cut the tree at the base.
6. To cut the tree at the base, use the chainsaw or ax to remove a large wedge about one foot from the base in the direction the tree should fall.
7. On the opposite side of the tree, cut through the tree, parallel to the ground until the chainsaw meets the removed wedge area.
8. If the tree is too tall or heavy to cut all at once, consider cutting 2 to 4 ft. segments of the tree from the top down.⁸

Tricks for Removing Small Palm Trees Quickly

Some small Palm Trees only grow to 10 to 15 feet tall. These are much easier to cut down at home.

If possible, begin by removing the fronds from the crown of the tree. Then, cut sections of the trunk, starting at the top of the tree and ending at the ground.

For palms that are under 15 feet, it may be possible to fell the entire tree at once by making a notch at the base and a parallel cut through the opposite side. Ensure the area is clear by measuring the projected fall zone.¹⁴

Tips To Remove Palm Tree Stumps

Stump removal is an important follow-up to tree removal, as stumps can become a habitat for pesky critters as they rot away. This is why it is particularly important to remove Palm Tree stumps that are near the home, as pests like termites infesting the stump can migrate to the home structure.⁷

(Image: MichaelPloujnikov⁴⁰)

Palm Tree stump removal can be made simple by using a stump grinder. Stump grinders can be rented from home improvement stores or garden centers.

They are fairly easy to use and extremely efficient, useful also for removing superficial. However, they are not the best option for tight spaces. In this scenario, rotting and burning the tree stump will not be good options either, so the individual will need to dig out the Palm Tree stump.

1. Begin by digging a shallow trench around the stump, a little over twice the size of the trunk, to accommodate the size of the root ball.
2. Use a saw or hatchet to cut and detach the surface roots from the stump, removing roots in the process.
3. Dig deeper, moving towards the root ball, cutting and removing deeper roots in the process.
4. After detaching the root ball from all major roots, use a long lever tool, such as a spud bar to lift and remove the root ball and stump.⁷

Tips for Removing Palm Tree Roots

While subterranean palm roots may not be an issue for homeowners, superficial Palm Tree roots can create quite a hassle when mowing or gardening. They can also be a tripping hazard for some.

This is why many people choose to remove these surface root systems. The best method to remove bothersome palm roots is the same approach a person would take to remove the stump.⁵

1. Begin by digging to expose the superficial roots.
2. Use a power tool such as a reciprocating saw or sawzall to cut through the roots (A small ax or hatchet can also be used, but this will be more labor and time-intensive).
3. Using gardening gloves, remove the cut roots from the ground.

Palm Tree Removal Cost

Palm Tree removal costs depend almost entirely on the size and type of the palm and the residential location. For example, crane assisted tree removal costs for larger palms will be significantly more expensive than standard tree removal.

Because Palm Trees vary so much in size, the cost of tree removal varies similarly. Small Palm Trees (less than 15 feet) can often be removed for a couple hundred dollars while the largest palms (80+ feet tall) are likely to cost well over $1,000 and closer to $1,500. The additional cost of stump removal, often an extra $200 to $300, must also be considered.¹³

According to gotreequotes.com, Florida prices range from, on average, $150 for small 10 ft. trees to more than $850 for trees 40 ft or more.¹¹ These prices are somewhat lower than those found in San Diego, California, where small trees cost approximately $250 and larger trees cost around $1,200.⁹

Use this tree removal cost calculator to estimate the price tag of removing troublesome palms.

Free Palm Tree Removal Options

Absolutely free Palm Tree removal is quite uncommon unless the tree has fallen and damaged property covered by homeowners insurance. However, depending on the type of tree, homeowners may have a few options.

In fact, several types of pine trees and Palm Trees are quite valuable, and the homeowner may be able to negotiate reduced cost or even free tree removal in exchange for wood.

Knowing how to negotiate tree removal comes in handy. Some people have had luck negotiating free tree removal with lumber companies on large wooded properties, where the company is certain to make significant profit off the sale of the lumber.

(Image: Vikas Gurjar⁴¹)

Many tree servicing companies will extend reduced rates for senior citizens, though they are unlikely to offer free tree removal for seniors.

State and municipal governments do sometimes offer grants to assist with tree removal, but these are usually associated with hazard reduction.¹⁰

Types of Palm Trees in the United States

Palm Trees comprise approximately 2,600 species in the family Arecaceae, a natural group (monophyletic) of monocots that thrive in subtropical and tropical environments.¹ Of the thousands of species of Palm Tree worldwide, only 15 species are native to the United States.

A single species originates in the Western U.S. and is endemic to Southern California.

• California Fan Palm (Washingtonia filifera):² Large fan palm variety native to Southern California and Arizona

Of all the tropical Hawaiian trees, there is only one native palm species.

• Loulu Palm (Pritchardia kaalae):³⁴ Small to medium fan palm native to O’ahu.

The Southeastern U.S. has more abundant native palms and an additional 13 species have been recognized in subtropical states in this region.¹⁷ Most of these are types of fan Palm Trees, such as the:

• Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto):²⁰ Large species native to the Atlantic Coast from North Carolina to Florida.
• Dwarf Palmetto Palm (Sabal minor):³¹ Small, shrub-like tree growing native along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts down into Mexico.
• Florida Silver Palm (Coccothrinax argentata):²⁶ Medium-sized tree native to Florida.
• Jamaican Thatch Palm (Thrinax parviflora):³⁷ Large species native to Southern Florida and Jamaica.
• Key Thatch Palm (Leucothrinax morrisii):²⁷ Medium-sized tree native to Southern Florida.
• Louisiana Palmetto Palm (Sabal louisiana):³⁵ Small tree native to Louisiana and eastern Texas.
• Needle Palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix):³⁰ Shrub-like palm found throughout the Southeast U.S.
• Paurotis Palm (Acoelorrphaphe wrightii):²¹ Mid-sized palm native to Florida.
• Saw Palmetto Palm (Serenoa repens):²³ Small, long-lived palm native to Southeastern U.S.
• Scrub Palmetto (Sabal etonia):²⁵ Shrub-like palm native to Florida.
• Texas Palmetto Palm (Sabal mexicana):³² Large palm species native to Texas and Mexico

There are two other native palms that are not of the fan variety. Both are native to Florida. These larger palm varieties are experiencing decreasing populations in the wild and are often grown as ornamentals.

• Buccaneer Palm Tree (Pseudophoenix sargentii):³⁸ Medium-sized tree native to Florida.
• Royal Palm (Roystonea regia):²² Huge palm species native to the Florida Everglades.

Many other types of Palm Trees have been cultivated across the country, and though they are non-native, they are established and thriving.

When and Why To Consider Palm Tree Removal

The idea of tree removal is not overly appealing to environmentalists who understand the value of a single tree in combating climate change fueled by an excess of atmospheric carbon. However, there are several situations when a tree should be removed, and this section will explore these reasons to assuage any guilt an individual may feel.

In certain situations, Palm Tree removal may be advised or even necessary.

How does a person know when it is time to remove their Palm Trees? They should carefully consider the following questions to determine if the time has come for their Palm Trees to go.⁴

Is the Palm Tree Suffering From an Insect Infestation?

Like any other kind of tree, Palm Trees have their fair share of pest problems. Some of the most common pests impacting palms in the U.S. are:¹⁶

• Palmetto Weevils (Rhynchophorus cruentatus)³⁶
• Red Palm Mites (Raoiella indica)²⁸
• Rugose Spiraling Whiteflies (Aleurodicus rugioperculatus)²⁹
• Red Date Scale (Phoenicococcus marlatti)²⁴
• Palm Leaf Skeletonizer (Homaledra sabalella)¹⁹

While infestations of some of these pests, such as the skeletonizer, whitefly, and mites can usually be treated by pruning back infected parts when caught early enough, serious weevil and scale infestations often lead to Palm Tree death.

Is the Palm Tree Diseased to an Extent That Can’t Be Treated?

Much like in the case of pests, some Palm Tree diseases can impact a Palm Tree to the extent that it can’t be saved. Sometimes, nutrient deficiency can be more harmful to a palm than bacterial or fungal disease, and manganese and potassium deficiencies can be fatal.

The following fungal diseases also create serious issues.

• Diamond Scale (Phaeochorospsis neowashingtoniae)³³
• Fusarium Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum)³³
• Pink Rot (Nalanthamala vermoeseni)³³
• Rachis Blight (Cocoicola californica)³³
• Sudden Crown Drop (Thielaviopsis paradoxa)³³

If a Palm Tree is diseased past the point of no return, removing the tree is the best option.

Has the Palm Tree Been Weakened Over Time (By Weather, Disease, Age, etc.) Making It a Safety Hazard?

Palms that have lost their health and vigor, whether due to weather damage, disease, or old age, are not only unsightly; they can also become safety hazards.

(Image: Jason Thien³⁹)

A healthy Palm Tree rarely blows over in high winds, but an unhealthy palm is more susceptible to extreme weather, increasing the possibility of injury and property damage.

The risks of a compromised Palm Tree outweigh the benefits.

Is the Palm Tree Causing Property Damage That Cannot Be Averted?

Although Palm Tree roots do not create the same level of issues as many other tree species, they can still damage underground plumbing and infrastructure. If this becomes a problem that can’t be ameliorated, it may be time to remove the Palm Tree.

Is the Palm Tree a Non-Native Species That Will Be Replaced With a Native Tree?

Many people are looking to rewild the areas around their homes to support local ecosystems. This means nurturing native vegetation.

In some cases, a homeowner may choose to remove a non-native Palm Tree to replace it with a native variety.

How To Kill a Palm Tree

Cutting down a Palm Tree at its base is the quickest and easiest way for how to kill a Palm Tree. However, removing a mature Palm Tree can be a serious undertaking without professional help, particularly with some of the larger varieties.

Luckily, there are several other options for individuals who want to get rid of their Palm Trees.

Many common methods involve the use of herbicides which may be applied to the foliage or outside of the trunk. An efficient way to use herbicides is to drill holes in the trunk of the tree and fill them with chemicals.⁶

Natural Tree Killer Methods (How To Kill a Tree)

Individuals looking for natural tree killer methods don’t have to look far. There are several non-chemical methods for how to kill a tree, some of which are specific to palms.

The first method is called girdling. This is a process commonly used to kill unwanted trees, and while it is not quite as effective against Palm Trees, it can still be applied.

Through the girdling process, complete rings of bark are removed from the trunk of the tree. This will weaken the tree over time, leading to its eventual death.

Another method is to cut off the top of the Palm Tree at the tip of the trunk, removing the apical meristem and all foliage. This will inhibit the growth of the tree and lead to its eventual demise.⁶

When Palm Trees near the end of their lifespans, becoming weak and unhealthy, it is important to know who to contact to remove dying trees before they become a safety hazard.

Understanding the process of removing Palm Trees and checking reference points for the costs of Palm Tree removal around the country can help ensure that you don’t pay too much.

Frequently Asked Questions About Palm Tree Removal