How much does Palm tree services cost?

If you live in Los Angeles, Phoenix, or any relatively tropical climate, palm trees are probably a very familiar sight—in fact, you may even have a date palm in your own backyard. If you do, or want to, you’ll need to hire a service that specializes in these unique types of trees.

A palm tree service company should be licensed, bonded, and insured, and have a certified arborist on staff. Palm tree maintenance services include trimming damaged, diseased or dead fronds, “skinning” (skimming or shaving) the trunk to remove the bushy dead fronds, and keeping trees healthy. These companies can also plant a new palm tree or remove an unwanted one. 

In this cost guide, you’ll learn the typical expenses involved in hiring a palm tree service provider.

Trees are sold by nurseries and landscaping centers, and priced according to their size and species. In most cases, the larger the container size, the larger and more expensive the tree. 

Young, small trees in 10-to-20-gallon containers can be purchased, then installed by landscapers or gardeners by hand, for $125–1,000 each, depending on species. This includes the landscaper or gardener’s typical labor rate of $30–70 per hour. 

Established, mature palm trees, which are at least 10 feet tall, are usually sold by tree nurseries in containers measuring 1 cubic yard or larger. These trees must be delivered by a flat-bed truck equipped with a “tree spade” (a tractor-like machine used for transplanting) at an average cost of $1,000–4,000+, including installation. 

Trimming palm trees is different from pruning other types of trees, such as oak trees, because the trimmer removes fronds and dead matter (rather than trim a tree’s branches and limbs). A palm tree trimmer tends to use lifts, cranes, and similar equipment in addition to ropes and chainsaws. 

When working near a driveway or street, a trimming service may be able to ease the job by using an aerial work platform (“cherry picker”) or a “bucket truck” (that has an extendable boom to hold a worker). 

Most tree services charge on a per-job basis, not by the hour. They’ll assess your tree(s) and look at the scope of work needed. Then they’ll discuss the project and provide a free quote, which almost always includes disposal of debris.

Here are the average prices you can expect to pay for palm tree trimming services, depending on height:

If you have a diseased or dead palm tree, it may need to be taken out. As with trimming, a tree service will base its bid on the amount of work involved. 

If the tree can be safely taken down in one piece, removal and clean-up is an easier job. In that case, the average cost is $100–600. 

Otherwise, the major price factor is tree height. Here are the average costs:

Disposal. Though most companies include disposal of the tree in their cost estimate, find out for sure when requesting prices. 

Stump removal. This service isn’t usually included in a tree-removal estimate. Some tree removal services will eliminate the stump themselves, while others will bring in a separate specialist— either to grind the stump down below ground level or to remove it entirely. Cost depends upon size and type of tree stump. Stump grinding typically costs $125–350, and removal costs $175–450. 

The price of palm tree services depends on the time, materials, labor, and equipment needed. Other issues include the following:

Tree condition (for pruning and removal). The general health and stability of the palm tree will likely be taken into account before a formal quote is given. Trees that are leaning or unstable for other reasons may cost more, because they pose more risks to the tree crew. 

Accessibility. Servicing palm trees near a street or driveway may be less costly, because trucks and lifts can easily gain access to them. Trees located in hard-to-reach places often cost more. 

Here are some potential ways to make palm tree services less expensive:

How much does it cost to get a palm tree installed?

The cost to purchase and plant a new palm tree is $125–4,000+, depending on the type, age, and size of the tree.

How often should palm trees be trimmed?

Trim palm trees once per year. If you don’t, they’ll likely shed dead fronds, seeds, or fruit (depending on the species) when the weather gets windy, which can become a hazard. 

How much does it cost to remove a palm tree stump?

Stump removal costs $175–450, depending on the method used. Grinding a palm tree stump down below ground level typically costs $125–350.

Find a palm tree service provider in your area.