Cocos palm, also known as a Queen Palm, is the most common variety of palm in Australian yards.
The average cost for a cocos palm removal is $280 – $630 for a medium-sized tree. The taller and more mature a tree is, the higher the removal cost.
Extremely tall cocos palms at about 25 meters and above can cost up to $1,250.
Below, we break down the cost by tree size, factors that add to cost and how to save a bunch of money.
This table shows the average cost of removing a coco palm depending on the height of the tree.
The taller the tree, the costlier it is to remove the tree. Here is the average cost for the removal of a cocos palm tree.
| Estimated height | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Below 6m (18 ft.) | $200 to $450 |
| 6m - 12m (18ft. - 36ft.) | $500 to $950 |
| 12m - 18m (36ft. - 60ft.) | $1,000 to $1,200 |
| Above 18m (60 ft.) | $1,250 to $1,500 |
Factors that determine the cost of removal of a cocos palm
Many factors determine the cost of removal for a cocos palm tree. These factors affect the cost as they increase the labor required, equipment, etc. some of the determining factors include
1. Height
The taller the tree a cocos palm tree is, the more expensive the removal will be. This is because taller trees have higher labor demands, and need for equipment than shorter trees.
Small trees also pose a lower risk to the workers in general, this is because they are more manageable and involve less clean-up afterward. Large cocos palm trees are difficult to work with and generate more mess to clean up.
2. Condition of the tree
The condition of the tree is a determining factor when it comes to the cost of removal. Well-maintained trees are cheaper to remove than trees that have not been well-maintained. This is because unkempt trees have large canopies that can be dangerous to remove.
The canopies of unkempt trees have loose fronds that are likely to fall, potentially causing damage during removal. Removing trees that have been poorly maintained is also labor-intensive and time-consuming which adds to the cost of professional tree removal.
3. Location of the palm on your property
The location of the cocos palm tree on the property affects the cost of removal. This is because if the palm tree is located in an easily accessible area, it requires less labor to remove it making it less costly.
If the palm tree is located in a place that is difficult to access due to overhead hazards, nearby buildings, car parks, fences, or other restrictions, they will require extra labor, equipment, etc to remove it leading to a higher overall cost.
4. Stump removal
If you request for the stump of the palm tree to be removed, it will have an additional cost. The cost of stump removal for a coco palm tree ranges from $100 to $300 on average. Many may wonder why stump removal isn’t part of tree removal.
This is because stump removal requires an additional labor skill set different from that needed for tree removal. The roots of the cocos palm spread horizontally for twenty to thirty feet in the soil. The more mature a cocos palm is, the deeper the root is and the more expensive it is to remove.
5. Clean-up
The larger the tree, the more debris it produces and the higher the cost of waste disposal. Disposal of this debris is one of the most significant determining factors regarding the cost of tree removal. Waste disposal companies have very high costs when disposing of Palm trees.
Since palm trees cannot be turned into mulch due to the high acidity of their sap, they have to be disposed of. Clean-up fees can be reduced by disposing of the palm trees yourself.
Why should I remove my cocos palm tree?
There are many reasons why the removal of a cocos palm will be necessary. They include;
1. Disease
If a cocos palm tree is heavily diseased such that it is resistant to treatment, it may become necessary to remove the tree. This is because a diseased tree might begin to infect surrounding trees causing more damage that can be resolved by its removal. Diseased trees also attract pests which can become a nuisance to the tree owners.
2. Pests
A cocos palm tree that is suffering from severe pest invasion may need to be removed. This is because once pests have attacked one tree, they are likely to move on to other trees and can affect an entire garden if not taken care of. Pest-infested cocos palms also face a serious risk of decay and disease, removing the tree helps to contain the pests in that location.
3. Safety hazard
If a cocos palm becomes a safety hazard, it will need to be removed. Palm trees can grow to great heights and may sometimes collide with overhead electrical wiring, they may also lean into a building if planted too close, or they have falling fruits that can injure people walking underneath. If the tree poses a risk to human safety, it is necessary to be removed.
4. Obstruction
If a cocos palm is blocking access to a location or being an obstruction, it may be removed. Palm trees often have wide canopies that can block the view of people behind them. The large size also makes it likely to overgrow and cause an obstruction. If your cocos palm is obstructing any view or access, it may need to be removed.
Author: Ben McInerney is a qualified arborist with over 15 years of industry experience. He uses his in-depth knowledge of the tree service industry to give readers to most accurate information on tree service costs and helps to educate them about the benefits of using a certified arborist for tree trimming and removal work.
