Palm Tree Removal Cost

Palm trees have been popular in the UK since Victorian times and have enjoyed occasional resurgence in the late 20th and early 21st century. With milder winters, many species of palm trees can survive in our climate, and they offer a distinct tropical and exotic look that other species don’t provide.

However, over time, palm trees grow quite tall, which makes them less manageable and more prone to weather damage and disease. Roots from the tree can spread and cause damage to fences, patios and paths.

Palm tree removal is typically done by qualified tree surgeons with specialist equipment, particularly for tall specimens. The cost of palm tree removal depends on various factors, including its height, trunk thickness, plant health and access to the garden. If waste removal or stump grinding is required, this adds to the overall cost.

How Much is Palm Tree Removal?

The average cost of palm tree removal is between £250 and £650, depending on its size, accessibility and the exact method of clearing the tree.

Smaller trees of 2-3 metres are easier to extract and will cost around £150-£250. Medium trees cost from £250 to £450, and large trees of up to 6 metres cost £450 to £750 to cut down. Palm trees taller than 6 metres can cost up to £1,200 or more to remove.

As you can see, the price that you pay is influenced by the height of the tree, but also by the thickness of the trunk and how complex the removal is going to be. A very tall palm tree in an urban garden is a lot trickier to cut down than a medium-sized tree in a large, rural environment.

Height and Thickness of the Palm Tree

The height of a palm tree is potentially the biggest contributing factor to the cost of removal. A tall tree is typically cut down in sections, especially in an urban setting, but also if there is no clear area for the full tree to be felled in one piece. This adds to the timescale for removal and to the labour costs, pushing the price into the higher figures.

The diameter of the trunk also influences the cost, as even when the tree is cut down into pieces, a thick trunk will produce heavy sections which need careful handling. Again, this takes time and manpower to do safely.

Location of the Tree in the Garden

Where the palm tree is located in the garden has an impact on how much it costs to remove. If it is close to a house, garage, shed, greenhouse or other structures, the process of taking it down needs to be carefully managed. A palm tree that is near power lines requires the expertise of specialised operators, often associated with the energy company.

To ensure safe felling of the palm tree, additional precautions may need to be taken, which can slow the process and involve more manpower or specialist labour, all of which increases the cost.

Access for Equipment

Dealing with restricted access or narrow paths adds to the cost of removing a palm tree. Essential equipment may need to be carried in manually, and the tree waste removed in the same way. This slower and more hands-on process adds to the overall price.

For difficult-to-reach areas, it may be necessary to hire a cherry picker to access the palm tree, and this too adds to your budget.

Whether the Tree Must be Removed in Sections

In many instances where the palm tree is very tall, it is taken down in sections. Often this is in an urban setting or small garden where there is no possibility of the entire tree being felled at once.

The process involves an arborist climbing the tree and cutting it down into pieces. The need for safety harnesses, lowering ropes and trained specialists pushes the price of the work higher.

Waste Removal and Disposal

Many professional tree surgeons offer waste removal and disposal as part of their service, but it’s important to confirm that this is included when you request a quote. Depending on the size of the palm tree, the volume of waste will increase your costs accordingly.

Palm trees do not decompose rapidly, so putting it on your compost heap is not really an option unless you shred the waste. Hiring a wood chipper for this will add to your budget, so weigh this against paying for waste disposal.

Whether Stump Grinding is Required

Most homeowners who remove a palm tree will want to get rid of the stump, too. The fastest and most efficient method is to use a stump grinder, which chews up the remaining stump so that it’s below ground level. The area can then be replanted however you want.

The service will add to your overall costs, but the result is more aesthetically pleasing, removing an unsightly and potentially tripping hazard in your garden. It also makes mowing the grass a lot easier.

Small palm trees are typically cheaper and easier to remove than mature, tall palms, which take longer and often require specialist equipment and processes to cut down. Additional labour is often needed for tall palm tree removal, adding to your costs.

Palm Tree Removal Prices

Assessing the cost and timescale of removing a palm tree depends on numerous factors, not least of which is the size of the tree. The height, thickness and location of the palm tree all contribute to how much you pay for its removal.

Supply Costs

The tools and equipment used by professional tree surgeons are quite different from those used by most people in their gardens. The focus of most of the items is the safety of the arborist and the proper felling of the tree.

Chainsaws

Chainsaws come in a variety of sizes, brands and power options. For arborists, however, there are specialist chainsaws specifically designed for in-tree work. These chainsaws feature top rather than rear handles, excellent power-to-weight ratio, safety features such as lanyard attachment points and are lightweight and compact for ease of use.

Battery-powered chainsaws are becoming more popular with arborists as they are quieter, have low vibrations and zero emissions - perfect for residential areas and urban settings.

Climbing Ropes and Harnesses

An important part of tree surgeons’ equipment is their climbing gear, consisting of ropes, harnesses, carabiners and pulleys.

It’s essential for arborists to be able to work safely in the canopy, or, as with a palm tree removal, to be securely attached to the trunk while dismantling the tree. The equipment allows the tree surgeon the freedom to move around the tree while remaining safe and secure.

Safety Helmets and Protective Clothing

Safety helmets and protective clothing are vital for tree surgeons. A chainsaw helmet with a visor and ear protection is typically worn to protect against high-speed debris and loud operating noise.

Arborists working in the tree must wear chainsaw trousers with all-around leg protection, chainsaw boots and protective gloves. High-visibility clothing is also recommended.

Rigging Equipment for Controlled Branch Removal

To safely remove branches and trunk sections, tree surgeons use specialised rigging equipment comprising high-strength ropes, pulley blocks, friction devices, slings and carabiners.

This equipment is specifically designed to withstand heavy loads and offers the operator-controlled lowering of the palm tree’s trunk sections.

Wood Chippers for Disposing of Palm Fronds

Palm fronds take a long time to decompose, so if you’re considering putting them on your compost heap, shredding them first is advisable. The easiest and quickest way to do this is with a wood chipper.

A drum-style or heavy-duty chipper is best for palm fronds due to their fibrous nature, as they can quickly clog up disc-style machines.

Stump Grinders

A stump grinder uses a vertically-mounted metal cutting disc with sharp teeth to chew through tree stumps. The disc spins at high speeds and is powered by a robust motor, reducing the stump to a pile of shredded mulch.

You can hire a walk-behind stump grinder for DIY use or a larger, tracked grinder with an operator for heavy-duty work.

Cutting down palm trees is very rarely a suitable job for homeowners. The way a palm tree grows means that most of its energy goes into making it taller, as there are no branches. As a result, it can become very tall and unmanageable. In these cases, a professional with specialist equipment and proper safety training is needed to take it out.

On the other hand, removing a two to three-metre-tall palm tree is possible as a DIY task using basic garden tools.

Additional Costs

You may incur additional costs when removing a palm tree, and this can throw your budget into chaos if you’re not prepared. Some of the more common extras that you may have to consider are listed below.

Stump Grinding or Stump Removal

While you may have worked out your palm tree removal cost, have you thought about the remaining stump? Grinding down the stump to below ground level gives the work a tidy finish and lets you plant whatever you want in the space.

This service is not typically included in the removal of a palm tree unless you request it. Stump grinding is an additional service, adding approximately £150-£200 to your costs.

Waste Removal and Disposal

Most professional tree surgeons or landscapers will offer waste removal and disposal as part of their services. However, when you request a quote, it’s important to check if this is included or considered an extra so you know exactly what you’re paying for.

On average, waste removal and disposal add £50 to £150 to the palm tree removal cost.

Garden Clean-up After Removal

Cutting down a palm tree will undoubtedly leave some debris or track marks on your garden. Getting the garden cleaned up after the tree removal is considered an extra and will be charged separately by most tree surgeons or landscapers. Average prices are around £100 to £200 for a more thorough clean-up than removing the basic debris from the palm tree felling.

Cutting the Trunk into Logs

If you want to keep the palm tree trunk and need it cut into manageable logs, this will typically cost you extra. Palm wood is not useful as firewood, but the logs can be hollowed out and used ornamentally in the garden.

A tree which is cut down in manageable sections will already be chopped up. Palms which are dropped in one piece can be cut up for an extra charge of £50 to £100, depending on their size.

Tree Health Inspections

It may be that you’re not sure about the condition of your palm tree and want to have it assessed before making a decision. A tree health inspection is carried out by a qualified arborist and determines the health, structural integrity and safety of the tree. The cost will vary depending on your location, but it ranges from around £150 to £450.

A very tall palm tree or one that is located close to buildings may need to be accessed via a crane or cherry picker. The cost of hiring a cherry picker is approximately £300, while a mobile crane can cost up to £700 per day.

Labour Costs and Timescales

The average hourly rate for a tree surgeon is £45, with day rates being approximately £375. Most will work in teams of three people for safety and efficiency, so this price will rise according to how many people are needed for your palm tree removal.

Prices and timescales will, of course, vary depending on the size of the tree, including its height and the thickness of the trunk. The larger the tree, the more expensive it is to fell and remove from your property. Regional variations in labour rates will also impact how much you pay for cutting down a palm, as will the complexity of the job.

Access is key when removing a tree. If there is restricted access to the site, it may not be possible to use mechanical equipment such as cranes, cherry pickers or stump grinders. Instead, an arborist has to climb the tree and dismantle it in sections, lowering the cut pieces carefully to the ground using ropes.

This method is time-consuming and expensive, but it is often required in town and city gardens where space is limited, and there are surrounding structures.

Typical timeframes for palm tree removal are:

• Small palm trees - 1-2 hours
• Medium palm trees - 2-4 hours
• Large palm trees - ½ a day or longer

The largest portion of the palm tree removal cost is the labour, as the majority of the work has to be done with manpower rather than by mechanical means.

Cost Factors for Palm Tree Removal

No two palm tree removal projects will be the same, but there are common factors which influence the cost. Knowing what’s involved allows you to budget accordingly and removes any uncertainty.

Height of the Palm Tree

As palm trees don’t have branches, their energy goes into growing the trunk. Palm trees grow between one and six feet per year, depending on the species and conditions. So, you may end up with a tree in excess of 10 metres. The taller the tree, the more work is needed to remove it, increasing your costs.

Trunk Diameter

Similarly, the trunk diameter adds to how much you’ll pay for removal. A thick trunk means a heavy tree which will need careful felling, whether it’s in a simple drop or cut into sections and lowered to the ground.

Access to the Tree

Difficult access invariably adds to your costs as more work needs to be done manually, such as bringing in equipment or removing the waste. If you can improve access, perhaps by removing fence panels, it may reduce your costs.

Location Near Buildings or Fences

Any tree that is located close to fences, buildings or other structures needs to be carefully removed. Protecting the surroundings means slower and often manual extraction, pushing up the price of removal.

Whether the Tree Must be Removed in Sections

The palm’s location, such as in an urban garden or without a clear space for felling in one piece, means that the tree has to be removed in sections. This is a labour-intensive and slower process than simply cutting down the entire tree, and adds to the cost of removal.

If the tree is near any roads, public footpaths, or neighbouring properties, it also requires extra care and possibly traffic management measures. These added safety requirements can increase both the labour costs and the overall price of the job.

Waste Disposal Requirements

Palm fronds and even the trunk are not particularly compost-friendly, so most people have the waste removed and disposed of, which is an extra cost. Exactly how much you pay will depend on the volume of waste and your location.

All of these additional things take up time and resources. Some companies will include this within their quote, but others may charge it separately, so it’s important to check what is included in the cost before going ahead with the job.

Stump Removal Requirements

After the tree has been cut down, the stump and roots might remain in the ground. If you choose to include conifer root removal, this will increase the total cost of the job due to the need for additional equipment, such as stump grinders.

Stump Removal Requirements

Stump grinding is a stand-alone service and is not typically included in the quote for palm tree removal unless you expressly ask for it. It’s a popular solution to the stump problem and leaves no evidence that the tree was ever there, something many householders are happy to pay for.

Regional Labour Rates

Labour rates for most trades vary across the different regions of the UK. London and the southeast are generally more expensive than other areas, such as the north of England.

If your palm tree is in close proximity to overhead power lines or other structures, it’s important to seek professional help to remove it. While the location of the tree will increase the overall price of removal, safety is paramount.

Building Regulations for Palm Tree Removal

Before cutting down a palm tree in your garden, it’s important to determine whether you may need permission. A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) may be in place, or your property may be situated within a conservation area.

Tree Preservation Order

A TPO is imposed by the local authority for the purpose of protecting an individual tree, group of trees or area of woodland. It is a legal restriction that prohibits the felling, topping, uprooting, lopping or willful damage to a tree without prior permission from the council.

While many people assume these orders refer only to native trees, a TPO can be ordered for any tree that the local authority deems of value to the local landscape. Ignoring a tree preservation order can lead to unlimited fines if referred to the Crown Court.

Trees in Conservation Areas

All trees over 75mm in diameter within a conservation area are automatically protected. As a result, you must give the local authority at least six weeks' notice of any intended work, and you then need to wait for permission to be granted.

As with a TPO, any unauthorised tree work in a conservation area is considered a criminal offence and carries a fine. If you’re unsure about whether your home is within a conservation area, you can consult the planning portal at your local council.

Professional tree surgeons and landscapers will be familiar with the procedure for TPOs and trees in conservation areas. They also understand the need to work within appropriate safety regulations when carrying out tree removal work.

Types of Palm Tree Removal

There are three ways of safely removing a palm tree: straight felling, sectional dismantling and mechanical removal.

Straight felling can only be done when there is enough open space for the tree to land safely and there are no nearby structures or obstacles. The palm is cut at the base and falls in one piece.

Pros

• ✔ Fastest way to remove a palm tree
• ✔ Cheaper than sectional dismantling
• ✔ Less labour required
• ✔ Ideal for open spaces

Cons

• ✖ Limited to large, open gardens
• ✖ High risk of damage if the tree falls incorrectly
• ✖ The weight of a falling object can damage the ground or surrounding plants

Sectional Dismantling

As the name implies, sectional dismantling involves an arborist cutting the palm down piece by piece. The tree surgeon climbs the tree using a safety harness and PPE. They secure a section with ropes, rigging and pulleys, cut through the trunk, and with help from the ground, lower each severed section carefully.

Pros

• ✔ Safest way to remove a palm tree in confined spaces or close to structures
• ✔ Very controlled process
• ✔ Reduces damage on the ground to turf or other plants
• ✔ Best for weakened or diseased trees which can fall unpredictably during felling

Cons

• ✖ Time-consuming
• ✖ More expensive than straight felling
• ✖ Requires specialist climbing skills
• ✖ Sections can be heavy

Sectional dismantling is used in small gardens and urban locations where a straight fell is impossible. It’s also used when the tree is close to power lines. Costs for this method can be 50%-100% more expensive than straight felling, and prices can be between £1,000 and £2,500.

Mechanical Removal

A grapple saw can be used to mechanically remove a palm tree. This powerful machine combines a hydraulic chainsaw with a mechanical grabber. The operator can grab the tree trunk, cut it and pick it up, all in one motion. It makes felling trees very safe as it can be done from a distance and from the safety of a vehicle’s cab.

Pros

• ✔ Very fast and efficient method
• ✔ Safe and removes the need for anyone to climb the tree
• ✔ Reduced labour requirements
• ✔ Maximum control over the tree’s removal
• ✔ Minimises any damage to the surroundings

Cons

• ✖ Requires open space and good access
• ✖ Needs a qualified operator, which adds to costs

The cost of hiring a grapple saw is between £1,000 and £3,000 per day, including the machine, operator and an assistant. Prices will vary depending on your location and the complexity of the work.

Overall, the method of palm tree removal that you choose will affect the final cost and timescale of the job.

Alternative Options to Palm Tree Removal

There are potentially alternatives to removing a palm tree, such as pruning, removing dead fronds, reducing the crown or, for smaller palms, relocation.

Palm Tree Pruning

Pruning a palm tree should be restricted to removing brown fronds and seed or flower pods. Taking out any green fronds can weaken the palm as they are responsible for nutrient production. Over-pruning can kill a palm tree, so concentrate on downward hanging dead fronds that are around the 9 and 3 o’clock positions.

Removing Dead Fronds

As mentioned, dead, damaged and brown fronds should be removed from a palm tree. You can also remove the seed and flower pods. The fronds should be cut a couple of inches away from the trunk with clean, sharp loppers or a pruning saw. They’re quite tough, and you should wear gloves to protect your hands.

Crown Reduction

True palms cannot be reduced at the crown, as this is their only growth point and cutting it will kill your palm. However, some palm-like plants, such as cordyline, can be reduced to control their height and spread. Make sure you know what type of plant you have before attempting any crown reduction.

Tree Relocation (for smaller palms)

Transplanting a palm tree is relatively easy due to its root ball, as opposed to taproot or lateral roots. The best time to relocate a palm tree is late spring or early summer. So if the palm is in an undesirable location, you can move it rather than cutting it down.

Hiring Contractors Checklist for Palm Tree Removal

Removing a palm tree is a big undertaking, especially for tall specimens or in a confined space. So it’s important to be able to ask the right questions when looking to hire a tree surgeon or landscaper.

Below are some of the things you should ask before hiring a contractor for palm tree removal.

Check for a TPO

If the palm tree you’re removing is in a recently purchased property, you might be unaware of any tree preservation order or even that the property is within a conservation area. You can check both with your local authority.

Verify Qualifications & Insurance

Always verify the qualifications and insurance coverage of any contractor that you hire. Tree surgeons who are accredited will typically display the Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor logo on their paperwork and website. Or you can check their details on the International Society of Arboriculture website.

You should always ask for proof of public liability insurance before any work is carried out on your property.

Ask About the Chosen Method of Removal

Make sure that you ask the tree surgeon or landscaper which method of removal they intend to use and what equipment they’ll be bringing into your garden. It gives you the opportunity to discuss how the tree will be taken out and the potential for any damage to other parts of your garden.

Request a Detailed Quote

You should get at least three quotes for removing a palm tree so that you can gauge the average cost and get an idea of what’s included as standard. Quotes should be itemised and as detailed as possible so you know exactly what you’re paying for. Query any vague terms or unclear additions.

Check Contractor Reviews

Checking contractor reviews lets you see previous client feedback about their reliability, quality of work and professionalism. Take a look at their website or social media to get an idea of whether they are someone you could work with on your project.

Removing Palm Tree Stumps

When a palm tree is cut down, you will be left with a stump in the ground. Some people are happy to live with it, but if you prefer to remove it, there are a few options open to you.

Stump Grinding

The fastest and most efficient method of removing a palm tree stump is to use a stump grinder. It will chew through the stump below ground level, and you can then replant the area however you want. It also looks better and removes any obstacle to mowing your lawn.

Full Stump Removal

It’s also possible to have the stump completely removed through excavation by a mini-digger. Remember that once the root ball is out, there will be a large void which will need to be backfilled with soil.

Chemical Stump Treatments

Chemicals that are used to remove stumps include potassium nitrate, glyphosate and sodium hydroxide. Some natural remedies that can also be used include Epsom salt, rock salt and high-nitrogen fertiliser. Holes are drilled into the stump in a grid pattern, and the chemicals are applied, allowing them to spread rapidly through the wood.

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