How Much Does Palm Tree Removal Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $150 - $1,500
The average cost to remove a palm tree is $525, but expect to pay more depending on size, age, and location of the palm tree.
Your total palm tree removal cost will run between $150 and $1,500. If you look out the window and notice that your palm tree looks worse for wear, it’s likely a good time to have it removed. Sloped or diseased palm trees can cause significant damage to your property and the surrounding landscape. Luckily, our guide breaks down all the costs of palm tree removal.
- Average
- $525
- Low end
- $100
- high end
- $1,800
Palm Tree Removal Cost Factors
When calculating your total palm tree removal cost, you’ll need to consider several cost factors, including its size, condition, labor, prep, location, number of trees, emergency palm tree removal, permits, and post-construction cleanup.
Size
| Palm Tree Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Up to 15 feet | $100 – $200 |
| Up to 30 feet | $150 – $450 |
| 30–60 feet | $200 – $950 |
| 60–80 feet | $300 – $1,200 |
| Over 80 feet | $1,100 – $1,500 |
Up to 15 Feet
You can expect to pay $100 to $200 to remove a palm tree up to 15 feet high. Typically, tree service professionals can remove palm trees 15 feet and lower with a chainsaw and a rope—with a pro physically climbing the tree and removing the fronds and bark one by one.
Up to 30 Feet
You’ll pay between $150 and $450 to remove a palm tree up to 30 feet high. Pros can use a chainsaw, rope, ladder, or bucket truck to remove palm trees up to 30 feet tall.
30 to 60 Feet Tall
You’ll pay $200 to $950 to remove a palm tree 30 to 60 feet tall. At this point, the tree is too tall to remove with a ladder or rope. A tree service pro will need scaffold lifts or a bucket truck with the proper tools.
60 to 80 Feet Tall
You can expect to pay $300 to $1,200 to remove a palm tree 60 to 80 feet tall. To reach palm trees of these heights, workers will need scaffold lifts, bucket trucks, or cranes, which will increase your overall price.
Over 80 Feet
For palm trees over 80 feet tall, you can expect to pay between $1,100 and $1,500 for removal. Tall palm trees require special removal equipment, and the tree removal specialist must have the proper knowledge for felling oversized palm trees.
Tree Condition
You can expect to pay a higher price for palm tree removal if the tree is in poor condition. Palm trees that are properly maintained with regular trimmings and disease inspections are much easier to remove than neglected trees. Without regular trims, the fronds (the leaves of the palm tree) become tangled and interwoven, making it more difficult for tree removal specialists to cut through the leaves and safely remove the tree.
In addition, diseased palm trees, such as those with leaf spots, butt rot, palm bud rots, fusarium wilt, lethal yellowing, pink rot, diamond scale, sooty mold, and root and trunk rot will also increase your total palm tree removal cost. Diseased palm trees must be discarded safely so that the disease will not spread to other trees or landscaping features.
Labor
You can expect to pay between $250 to $2,500 to hire an arborist or a palm tree specialist to remove a palm tree. Your total labor cost will depend on the tree’s accessibility—the longer it takes to remove the tree, the higher your price. If the palm tree is in an inaccessible location in your yard or on a steep slope, tree removal specialists will need to use extra equipment and safety precautions before felling the tree. Also, if the palm tree is in danger of falling onto your house or your neighbor’s, a pro will need to take the tree down in chunks, adding more time to your total bill.
Prep
Sometimes, tree service pros will need to perform some prep work before removing the palm tree. If a tree is filled with pests, you’ll need to hire pest control services, and you can expect to pay between $100 and $260, depending on the type of bug and the extent of the infestation.
You might also need a yard cleanup before tree removal. If a pro cannot easily reach the tree and bring it down safely, you’ll need to professionally clean the area. Depending on the severity of your yard’s condition, you can expect to pay $190 to $1,000 for this service.
Location
Each state has different requirements for palm tree removal, depending on their environmental laws, disposal requirements, and permitting. Here’s what you can expect to pay for palm tree removal in your area:
| State | Average Palm Tree Removal Cost |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $140 – $925 |
| California | $150 – $1,150 |
| Florida | $130 – $900 |
| Georgia | $135 – $1,000 |
| Hawaii | $180 – $1,100 |
| Louisiana | $140 – $1,000 |
| Nevada | $145 – $980 |
| North Carolina | $135 – $975 |
| South Carolina | $135 – $975 |
| Texas | $130 – $1,250 |
Number of Trees
If you need to remove several palm trees, you can expect your total cost to increase—as more trees require more labor and equipment. You can, however, try to wrangle a neighbor or two if they also need to have a palm tree removed and ask the tree removal company for a multi-home discount.
Emergency Palm Tree Removal
If you need to have your palm tree removed quickly—say, due to a severe storm, then you can expect to pay a premium price. You’ll pay an average price of $2,500 or $250 per hour for emergency palm tree removal. You can wait on the cleanup, disposal, and stump removal, so you don’t need to pay a premium price for those services.
Permits
Depending on where you live and your local municipality’s rules and regulations, you may need to purchase a permit before removing a palm tree. You can expect to pay an average of $40 and $200 for a permit. However, if a licensed tree removal specialist or arborist deems your tree unsafe, you typically will not need a permit for removal.
Post-Construction Cleanup
Depending on the size and condition of the palm tree, some tree removal pros will include the haul-away cost in your total bill. Otherwise, you can expect to pay around $350 for the pro to clean up the area and remove the tree remnants.
Another option is to have the tree turned into mulch through wood chipping. You can expect to pay $75 to $150 per hour for this service. And finally, you can also split the wood into logs for your fireplace, which will cost around $70.
Palm Tree Removal Ongoing Expenses
Consider these ongoing costs when deciding whether to remove a palm tree in your yard.
Maintenance
To prevent the removal of your palm trees, you’ll want to perform yearly maintenance to keep the trees in good condition. You can expect your annual tree trimming cost to run between $75 and $1,800.
You’ll also need a yearly tree health assessment. You can hire an arborist for an average of $150 per visit to check your palm trees for cracks, leaning issues, root issues, diseases, insects, and decay.
Insurance
You’ll want to check your homeowner's insurance policy to see whether a palm tree falling onto your home constitutes an insurance claim. Either way, you’ll want to ensure your policy offers coverage for palm tree removal costs.
DIY Palm Tree Removal vs. Hiring a Pro
Handy homeowners can tackle removing palm trees that are 15 feet tall or less. You’ll need the proper equipment—such as a chainsaw and ropes, but you’ll save on the labor costs. For palm trees taller than 15 feet, we recommend hiring a palm tree expert near you. Palm tree pros have the knowledge, experience, and tools to do the job correctly and safely.
Cost of Common Palm Tree Removal Add-Ons
Don’t forget to budget for the cost of these additional palm tree removal services.
Stump removal cost: $175–$550
Landscaping: $1,265–$6,000
Palm tree transplanting cost: $400–$5,000
Tips to Reduce Cost While Removing a Palm Tree
While you can’t change the typical costs that are associated with removing a palm tree, there are ways you can save, including:
Get at least three quotes from licensed palm tree removal companies.
Schedule services in the off-season to get special discount pricing.
Perform regular maintenance so the tree stays healthy and in good condition.
Check with your township to see if they will cover some of the costs of palm tree removal—like if the tree is dangerously close to power lines.
Do all the prep work yourself like clearing the lawn and driveway and moving fencing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Palm trees aren’t much different than your typical tree removal. Removing a palm tree is a standard procedure as long as pros have the proper tools and supplies. For DIYers, however, there are some risks associated with palm tree removal. Palm trees have spiky fronds, bark, and patches of hefty wood. So, it’s best to let an experienced tree service pro remove a palm tree.
Palm trees are unique in that their roots don't grow straight down; they grow horizontally. Typically, palm tree roots go down between 12 and 36 inches deep. The roots grow far and wide from the base of the palm tree to absorb as much water and soil nutrients as possible. In addition, the horizontal roots are also very strong—keeping palm trees stable and helping them sway during storms.
Unfortunately, if you cut the top off a palm tree, it will die. Instead of budding or branching out, the top begins to slowly rot. That's why having a professional tree trimming at least twice a year is a good idea. If you don’t have experience with trimming your palm tree, you might accidentally cut the top off, leaving a dead and rotting tree in your wake.