Palms · Removal
Palm Tree Removal
A palm cannot be made shorter or have a damaged crown fixed, so removal is the answer when a palm is too tall, diseased or dying. The heavy crown comes off first, then the trunk is cut down in sections or felled where there is room.
Call availability varies by area and time of day. Calls are answered by an independent tree service provider.
When does a palm have to be removed?
When the bud at the top has died, when a lethal disease is confirmed, when the trunk is badly damaged, or when the palm has grown too tall to trim safely over a house or lines. A palm with a dead bud cannot grow new fronds and will die.
- Dead bud
- The central spear leaf collapses or pulls out easily, often with a foul smell.
- Lethal disease
- Lethal bronzing, Fusarium wilt or Ganoderma butt rot.
- Height or lean
- A tall palm leaning over a roof after a storm.
Diseases that end in removal
Lethal bronzing
Fronds turn reddish-brown from the oldest upward and the spear leaf dies. Spread by a planthopper in Florida and Texas.
Fusarium wilt
Fronds die on one side of the crown first. Mostly Canary Island date and queen palms.
Ganoderma butt rot
A shelf-like conk on the lower trunk. Decay inside, with no cure.
Bud rot
Often after a freeze or hurricane, the spear leaf rots and pulls out.
Palm weevils
The South American palm weevil has killed thousands of Canary Island date palms in Southern California.
How a tall palm is taken down
Remove the fronds
The climber or lift operator cuts fronds from around the crown, lightening it.
Take off the head
The crown of a large palm can be very heavy. It is tied off and lowered, or dropped into a clear space.
Section the trunk
The trunk is cut from the top down in lengths that can be lowered or dropped safely.
Fell if there is room
In open ground, a palm can be felled whole once the head is off.
Haul away
Palm wood does not split for firewood and fronds jam many chippers, so most debris is hauled.
Palm types and removal notes
| Palm | Typical height | Removal notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mexican fan palm | Up to about 80 to 100 feet | Very tall and thin; often needs a crane or large lift |
| Canary Island date palm | 40 to 60 feet | Massive trunk and heavy head; spiny fronds |
| Queen palm | 25 to 50 feet | Frequent removals due to nutrient problems and disease |
| Royal palm | 50 to 70 feet | Smooth trunk and heavy crownshaft |
| Sabal palm | 30 to 50 feet | Often transplanted rather than removed |
What happens to the stump
- No resprouting
- Palms grow only from their single bud, so the stump never sends up new growth.
- Easy to grind
- Palm stumps are fibrous and grind quickly compared with hardwood.
- Root ball not woody
- Palm roots are many thin cords rather than big woody roots, so new plantings can go nearby.
- Fill and replant
- Grindings are removed and topsoil added to replant.
Remove it or move it
Remove
- Diseased or dying palm
- Too tall for the space
- Damaged trunk
Transplant
- Healthy, desirable palm
- Species that moves well, such as sabal and Medjool date
- Enough access for equipment
Many healthy palms move better than broadleaf trees of the same size. See tree transplanting.
Handling diseased palm debris
Removing a palm killed by Fusarium wilt or lethal bronzing helps protect others nearby. Tools used on infected palms should be cleaned before use on healthy ones. Some areas recommend removing diseased palms as soon as diagnosis is confirmed to limit insect spread.
Palms killed by Ganoderma should not be replaced with another palm in the same spot, since the fungus persists in the soil. A different kind of plant is safer there.
Palm removal questions
Can a palm with a dead top be saved?
No. Palms grow only from that single bud. Once it dies, the palm cannot recover.
Do I need a permit to remove a palm?
Some cities protect specific palms or palms of certain heights. Check local rules before removing.
Can palm wood be used for firewood?
It burns poorly and is not usually used for firewood.
How long does it take to remove a palm?
A medium palm often takes an hour or two. Very tall palms near structures take longer.
Talk to a palm tree removal provider
Call to be connected with an independent tree service company near you.
(844) 955-1716Call availability varies by area and time of day
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