Palm tree removal cost usually lands between $150 and $1,500, with a national average of about $525 — but that number means very little until you know how tall your palm is and what’s going on with it. Maybe a Queen palm in your backyard has turned brown from the bottom up. Maybe a 60-foot Mexican fan palm now leans toward the roof, and every storm warning makes you nervous. Or maybe you just want it gone so you can plant something that needs less upkeep.
Whatever brought you here, this guide breaks down what you’ll actually pay, why quotes vary so much, when trimming makes more sense than removal, and when a palm simply has to come down. Every price below links to the source it came from, and where sources disagree, you’ll see both numbers.
Last updated: November 3, 2026
Quick answer: Most homeowners pay $150–$900 to remove a palm, according to HomeGuide, while Angi puts the normal range at $150–$1,500. Both report an average of $525. Height is the biggest price driver: a palm under 15 feet costs about $100–$200, while one over 80 feet can run up to $1,500. Stump grinding is usually extra ($100–$250). If the palm is healthy, trimming ($125–$800 per Angi) is often the cheaper fix.
Palm Tree Removal Cost at a Glance
Here’s how the two biggest national cost guides compare. They agree on the average and most of the height brackets, but they differ at the top end.
| Cost point | Angi | HomeGuide |
|---|---|---|
| National average | $525 | $525 |
| Typical range | $150 – $1,500 | $150 – $900 |
| Low / high extremes | $100 – $1,800 | $100 – $1,500 |
Sources: Angi palm tree removal cost guide and HomeGuide palm tree removal cost guide.
Compared with other trees, palms are often cheaper to take down. HomeGuide lists general tree removal (oak, pine and similar species) at $300–$2,000. That’s because a palm has no wide branching canopy. A crew can usually take off the fronds, section the trunk from the top down and haul it away in less time than it takes to dismantle a big hardwood. If you want to compare against regular trees, our directory’s tree removal service page lists local companies that handle both.
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Palm Tree Removal Cost by Height
Height drives the price because taller palms need more climbing time, more rigging and sometimes a bucket truck or crane. Here’s what each source reports:
| Palm height | Angi | HomeGuide |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 15 ft | $100 – $200 | $100 – $200 |
| 15 – 30 ft | $150 – $450 | $150 – $450 |
| 30 – 60 ft | $200 – $950 | $200 – $900 |
| 60 – 80 ft | $300 – $1,200 | $300 – $1,200 |
| Over 80 ft | $1,100 – $1,500 | $700 – $1,500 |
Notice the gap in the last row. For very tall palms, Angi’s low end is $1,100 while HomeGuide’s is $700. In practice, the final number for an 80-foot-plus palm depends on access. If a crane is needed to lift sections over a house or pool, expect to land near the top of either range. Angi notes that cranes come into play for palms in the 60–80 foot range and above.
Palm Tree Removal Cost by State
Palms grow mostly in warm states, and labor rates there vary. Angi publishes average removal ranges for the states where palms are common:
| State | Average range (Angi) |
|---|---|
| Florida | $130 – $900 |
| Texas | $130 – $1,250 |
| Arizona | $140 – $925 |
| Nevada | $145 – $980 |
| California | $150 – $1,150 |
| Hawaii | $180 – $1,100 |
Source: Angi. Your city can sit above or below these averages. To compare real quotes, browse tree companies in Tampa, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego and Houston.
Extra Costs That Can Raise Your Quote
The base price usually covers cutting the palm down. Several add-ons can push the total higher, so ask each company what’s included before you compare quotes.
- Stump grinding: $100–$250, and stump removal $80–$250 on average, per HomeGuide. Root removal runs $75–$150 per hour, usually one to two hours. Our stump grinding cost guide explains how stump pricing works in more detail.
- Cleanup and haul-away: about $350 if it isn’t bundled, according to Angi.
- Wood chipping: $75–$150 per hour (Angi).
- Permits: $40–$200 on average where a permit is required (Angi). Rules depend on your city or HOA, so check before work starts.
- Emergency removal: Angi reports an average of $2,500, or about $250 per hour, for urgent jobs such as a palm that has fallen or is about to. If you’re in that situation, read our emergency tree removal guide first.
One more factor: access. A palm in an open front yard is far easier than one wedged between a pool cage, a fence and power lines. Crews price in the extra time and risk.
Palm Tree Trimming Cost: Is Trimming Enough?
If your palm is healthy and the real problem is dead fronds, seed pods or messy “boots,” trimming is usually the better value. Here’s what the data says about palm tree trimming:
| Palm height | Trimming cost (Angi) |
|---|---|
| Up to 15 ft | $50 – $200 |
| 10 – 30 ft | $75 – $400 |
| 30 – 60 ft | $130 – $900 |
| Over 60 ft | $250 – $1,500 |
Angi puts the average trim at about $375 and the typical range at $125–$800. Lawn Love reports $100–$1,330 per palm. HomeGuide’s figure is $100–$650. Angi suggests trimming once or twice a year, ideally in spring before hurricane season.
A word of caution before you hire the cheapest crew: more cutting is not better. University of Florida IFAS says the number-one rule is to never remove live, green, healthy fronds. Its guidance:
- Remove only fully brown fronds. Yellow or half-dead fronds may signal a nutrient problem and should stay.
- Never cut above the “9 o’clock to 3 o’clock” line of the canopy. That’s the absolute limit, not the goal.
- Skip the so-called “hurricane cut.” UF/IFAS says it isn’t science-based, and hurricane-cut palms were more likely to have their crowns snapped off in storms.
- Climbing spikes should never be used on palms, because they wound the trunk.
If a company proposes stripping your palm down to a “feather duster,” find another one. Our palm tree trimming directory lists local specialists, and our tree trimming cost guide covers pricing for other species.
When a Palm Tree Needs to Come Down
Some palm problems can’t be fixed with trimming. These are the situations where removal is usually the right call — and where the palm tree removal cost is money well spent.
Fusarium wilt (Queen and Washingtonia palms)
According to UF/IFAS Extension Broward County, this fungal disease is lethal to Queen and Washingtonia palms. It starts as one-sided browning on the lower fronds and moves up the canopy, often killing the palm within two to three months. There’s no cure. UF/IFAS recommends removing infected palms as soon as possible, grinding the stump and not replanting the same species in that spot. It can also spread on contaminated pruning tools, so a crew should sterilize equipment after working on a suspect palm.
Ganoderma butt rot
The warning sign is a hard, shelf-like “conk” growing on the lower trunk. UF/IFAS states there are currently no cultural or chemical controls to prevent or cure it, and that a palm should be removed as soon as possible after conks appear, mainly because infected palms are likely to fall in strong winds. Grind or remove as much of the stump as you can, and plant a non-palm in its place, since the fungus lingers in the soil.
Other common reasons
- The palm is dead, and the crown has collapsed or dropped.
- It leans toward the house, a driveway or power lines after a storm.
- Its roots or trunk crowd a pool, foundation or walkway.
- You’re tired of the cost and mess of yearly trimming and want a lower-maintenance yard.
If you’re not sure, an arborist visit is worth it. Angi lists a yearly arborist health assessment at about $150 per visit, and our arborist consultation directory can help you find one.
Does Insurance Cover Palm Tree Removal?
Sometimes, but usually not for a palm that is simply dead or diseased. According to Angi’s insurance guide, homeowners policies typically pay for removal when a tree falls on a structure because of a covered peril such as wind, lightning, hail or vandalism. Most policies cover roughly $500 to $1,000 of removal costs. Trees that fall from neglect, rot or being dead are typically not covered, and preventive removal generally isn’t either.
That’s one more reason to deal with a diseased palm early. Paying the palm tree removal cost now is almost always cheaper than paying a deductible and repairs after it drops on your roof.
How to Lower Your Palm Tree Removal Cost
- Get at least three written quotes. Make sure each one spells out stump grinding, cleanup and haul-away.
- Bundle jobs. If you have several palms to trim and one to remove, one visit is usually cheaper than two.
- Skip optional add-ons. You can keep the wood chips as mulch, or defer stump grinding — unless the palm had Ganoderma, in which case UF/IFAS advises dealing with the stump.
- Plan ahead. Emergency rates are far higher than scheduled work, so don’t wait for a storm to force the issue.
- Check credentials. Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers’ comp. Our guide on how to find a trusted tree service walks you through what to ask.
The cheapest bid isn’t always the best palm tree removal cost if the crew is uninsured. A falling trunk section can do serious damage, and you don’t want that bill landing on you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to remove a palm tree?
Most homeowners pay $150–$900, with a national average of $525, according to HomeGuide. Angi reports the same average with a wider $150–$1,500 range. Small palms under 15 feet can cost as little as $100–$200.
How much does it cost to remove a 30-foot palm tree?
Both Angi and HomeGuide put palms up to 30 feet at $150–$450. Once a palm passes 30 feet, the range rises to roughly $200–$950 depending on the source.
Is stump grinding included in the palm tree removal cost?
Usually not. HomeGuide lists stump grinding at $100–$250 as a separate charge. Always ask whether your quote includes the stump, cleanup and haul-away.
Is it cheaper to trim or remove a palm tree?
Trimming is usually cheaper per visit. Angi puts the average trim at about $375. But palms often need trimming once or twice a year, so over several years removal can cost less, especially if the palm is diseased or unwanted.
Can a palm tree with Fusarium wilt or Ganoderma be saved?
No. UF/IFAS says there is no cure for Fusarium wilt of Queen and Washingtonia palms or for Ganoderma butt rot. It recommends removing the palm promptly, grinding the stump and not replanting a palm in the same spot.
Will homeowners insurance pay to remove a dead palm tree?
Typically not. Angi notes that trees that fall because of neglect, rot or being dead are usually excluded. Coverage generally applies when a tree falls on a structure due to a covered peril such as wind or lightning, often up to about $500–$1,000.
Find a Palm Tree Removal Pro Near You
Now you know what drives the palm tree removal cost and when trimming is enough. The next step is getting real quotes from local crews who work on palms every week. Browse vetted companies on our tree removal directory, or go straight to palm tree trimming specialists if your palm just needs a cleanup. Already have a stump to deal with? Check our stump grinding pros. Comparing two or three quotes takes a few minutes and can save you hundreds.