The cost of trimming a palm tree by professional tree service companies in Florida varies based on many factors. Some of the factors include the height and health of the palm tree, its location, and the number of fronds that need removal.
The average cost of palm tree trimming in Florida is $450. This cost could range anywhere from $250 to trim small palm trees to $1,170 to trim large palm trees.
Other factors to consider are the distance of the tree from buildings and utilities, and whether it needs to be completely removed.
The average cost of trimming a palm tree in Florida based on the height of the tree is shown in the table below:
| Palm Tree Height | Cost range |
|---|---|
| 10 - 15 ft | $50 - $75 |
| 15 - 25 ft | $100 - $350 |
| 25 - 40 ft | $200 - $425 |
| Above 50 ft | $350 - $945 |
How can you save money on palm tree trimming?
There are many ways to save money on your palm tree trimming:
DIY the trimming job
If you’re trimming a small palm tree, you may want to consider doing the job yourself as there are tools for rent or sale that can help you save on labor costs.
Trim many trees at a time
The more trees you trim in one session, the more likely you are to save the cost of trimming.
Use city bulk trash pickup
If your city has a bulk trash pickup option, you can have the landscapers place your fronds on the side of the road for pickup. This will help save on disposal fees.
Use this FREE Service
You can get 3 Estimates from the most affordable tree services near you by using GoTreeQuotes.com. This service quickly matches you with the 3 tree surgeons voted #1 by previous users in your area.
- Scroll up to the top of the page and enter your ZIP Code in the blue form at the top of the page.
- Give us a few details about your tree trimming or removal job plus some contact information.
- Your tree details are forwarded to the closest three tree services all voted best priced who will also price your tree job.
Cost to remove fruit or flowers of palm trees
While trimming your palm tree to remove dead leaves, it is likely you have old fruit stems that require removal as well. It is advisable to get the trimming and stem removal done at the same time.
Luckily, the trimming cost will also cover this once you make it clear to the tree company. Otherwise, you stand to pay double the cost if you’re removing them at different times of the year.
How often should you trim palm trees in Florida?
The recommended frequency to trim palm trees in Florida is once or twice a year. Trimming should be done when dead fronds are weighing down your tree. You’ll see them turning brown, dry, and grim-looking.
When to trim palm trees in Florida
Although, you may decide to trim your tree at any time if it poses a risk. Experts recommend that you wait until spring to prune your palm tree. The dead fronds —even though they are always unattractive — help to protect the palm from the summer’s heat and winter’s cold.
During the trimming, it’s best to only remove those leaves that have turned completely brown. This will ensure that you don’t remove some of the tree’s nutrients by removing the yellow fronds.
How much does palm tree removal in Florida cost?
Here is the average cost to remove palm trees by size and height.
| Tree size | Tree height | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small palm tree | 10 feet | $150 |
| Medium palm tree | 20 feet | $200 – $350 |
| Large palm tree | 30 feet | $500 – $750 |
| Extra large palm tree | 40 feet | $850+ |
If you want to remove a palm tree completely in Florida and some other places, you may need a permit to do this.
It’s important to talk to your local council to see what the requirements are. Generally, anywhere where palm trees are native to the region you may need a permit as the trees may be protected.
Do date palms cost more to trim?
Date palms have the peculiarity of larger trunks and more fronds than the average palm. They also have spines that can complicate the trimming job. You can expect to pay more to get them trimmed due to the complexities.
Exact prices will vary depending on the work involved and the factors discussed earlier.
Can I DIY palm tree trimming?
If there are smaller trees involved, you can do the job yourself. However, if the palm trees are taller, more careful safety measures are required.
If you’re confident in doing the job yourself safely, you can buy or hire the required tools from your local gardening equipment suppliers.
Some of the tools you may need for your DIY palm tree trimming include:
- Cutting blades
- Sawing blades
- Extension poles
- Pole saws
- Climbing gears
- Hand gloves
- Eye goggles
You are better off consulting professional tree companies to do the job with their sophisticated equipment if you are unsure of your skills.
How do you trim a palm tree?
It is easier to trim palm trees compared to other trees.
- The main trimming job required is to remove dead leaves and old fruit stems. You may be lucky if your palm tree has a crown shaft. These types of palm trees shed their brown leaves on their own. You only need to pick up the dropped leaves and dispose of them.
- As for other palm trees that need pruning, each of the leaves has a life cycle. It starts from the first emergence of the leaf at the bud stage and ends when the leaves turn yellow or brown to indicate its death. When the old leaves die, palm trees move their nutrient cycle to the newer fronds.
- The best approach to trimming a palm tree is to remove the dead ones and leave as many green fronds as you possibly can on the palm tree. For them to produce a steady food supply and grow, they need many green fronds. A palm tree cannot stay healthy and produce good fruits without a considerable number of green fronds. Pruning or trimming a palm tree should also not be done for cosmetic reasons.
How much does it cost to trim a tree in California?
Professional tree trimming services in California cost between $45 to $945. The average tree trimming cost is $79. There are a number of factors involved in determining the cost of palm tree trimming in California.
Whether a tree needs only trimming or there are additional services required will also go a long way to determine the cost of the service.
Bottom Line
Trimming your palm trees every year can cost a lot of money if you have a lot of them. You should consider making a budget for the palm tree trimming cost when planting them. It’s not advisable to neglect them due to the risk of falling branches. This could cause hazards for the residents around as well as the utility power lines.
