True Cost Guide Lawn & Garden Trim a Palm Tree

How Much Does Palm Tree Trimming Cost in 2025?

Typical Range:

$75 - $1,500

Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.

Updated December 17, 2024

Written by HomeAdvisor.

Highlights

The average cost to trim a palm tree is $400, but prices can range between $75 and $1,500.
The biggest cost factor is tree height, but tree type and tree health are also important.
Most arborists charge by the tree, but some may charge around $100 to $250 hourly.
Palm trees should be trimmed if they have dead fronds or are close to power lines or buildings.

The average palm tree trimming cost is $400, with a typical range of between $75 and $1,500. Small palm trees under 30 feet might cost as little as $75 to trim, while trees over 60 feet can run as high as $1,500. Trimming a palm tree will cost you more if the tree hasn’t been trimmed for a long time or if there are other complicating factors, such as nearby power lines or buildings.

Average Palm Tree Trimming Cost

Average Cost	High Cost	Low Cost
$400	$1,500	$75

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Palm Tree Trimming Cost Factors

Other factors besides size affect how much it costs to trim a palm tree. These include the tree's accessibility, health, location, and clean-up.

Height

Like many other tree trimming costs, the cost to trim a palm tree varies depending on height. Most palm trees are between 30 and 60 feet tall on average. However, some species, such as the Mexican Fan Palm and the Phoenix Palm, can reach heights of 100 feet or more, while others, such as the Pygmy Date Palm, don’t grow beyond 10 to 12 feet.

Palm Tree Height in Feet	Average Cost Range
10–30	$75–$400
30–60	$130–$800
Over 60	$200–$1,500

Palm Tree Type

There are several palm tree types in the United States, and each type can grow to different heights and present different trimming challenges. The most common palm tree types are the Phoenix Palm and the Mexican Fan Palm.

Palm Tree Type	Average Cost
Phoenix palm (small)	$100
Phoenix palm (large)	$700
Mexican fan palm (small)	$90
Mexican fan palm (large)	$400

Tree Health

Health issues such as fungal diseases, insect damage, cracks, and weak roots can all jack up the price of palm tree trimming services. The tree service pro will need to give more care and attention to the tree when trimming to avoid aggravating existing issues and causing further damage to the tree.

You'll incur additional costs if you require an arborist to address any health issues as part of the trimming project. For example, tree pest control can add between $50 and $250 to your project total.

Number of Trees

The number of trees you need to be trimmed might also affect the average cost of each tree. Tree trimming pros may offer a discount if you have multiple trees trimmed at once because they’ll already be on your property with the necessary equipment.

Labor

On average, expect to spend between $200 and $1,200 per tree in labor costs for most palm tree trimming jobs. Professional arborists in your area may charge between $100 and $250 per hour. However, most tree trimming pros charge per job or per tree. The pro will assess your tree, determine the scope of work needed, and then give you a quote. You'll also pay more if the task is an emergency and the tree trimming professional has to travel a long distance.

Accessibility

If there’s restricted or narrow access to the palm tree, it’ll cost you more to trim it. Therefore, one easy way to keep palm tree trimming expenses down is to remove any obstacles from the ground that may be blocking access to the tree before you call a tree trimming specialist.

Tree Location

If a tree sits right up against your house or close to power lines, trimming it will be more challenging. You’re therefore likely to pay more for the service. If your palm tree’s fronds intersect with power lines, consider calling your utility company before you even seek the services of a professional tree trimmer. Some utility companies will take care of the tree for you free of charge, saving you on the costs of tree removal or trimming.

Clean Up

Check to confirm whether your palm tree cost estimate includes hauling away branches and cleaning up the space around the tree. If your estimate doesn’t include these services, you may have to pay an additional $25 to $100 for this task. If you’ve had to remove a palm tree, or if there is other damage to your landscape, you may want to consider planting new trees. Landscape installation costs an average of $100 to $300 per tree for new tree installations.

Palm Tree Trimming vs. Removal

If your palm tree has a few dead fronds or some fronds that approach a building, your best option is usually to trim the problem parts. This ensures you can protect the health of your tree and save on removal costs. However, if your tree is suffering from extensive damage from insects or disease and you notice that many or all of the fronds are brown, grey, or yellow, it may be time to look into palm tree removal.

If you have to remove a palm tree, you can expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $900, depending on the height and type of palm tree. Grinding down the stump costs an additional $80 to $300. Some companies include hauling away the tree as part of their quotes. Otherwise, you may have to pay an additional $350 for disposal.

Budgeting for Palm Tree Trimming

Palm tree trimming typically requires professional tools and expertise, especially when trimming taller palms. However, there are a few steps you can take to keep your palm tree trimming budget-friendly:

Book ahead: Arborists tend to be busiest in the spring and summer and may charge higher rates as their schedules fill up. Book early to ensure you can get your palm trimmed at a time and price that works for you.
Clear the area: While most arborists charge by the tree, you may pay extra if they spend a long time on your property. To ensure the work goes smoothly, clear the area around the tree of any furniture, vehicles, or shrubbery that might get in the way of trimming.
Practice regular maintenance: If you notice dead fronds or other problems, call your arborist to schedule a trimming. This helps reduce the likelihood of an emergency trim, which can be significantly more expensive.
Compare quotes: Reach out to several palm tree trimming pros in your area to compare prices and find the right arborists for your job.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.

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FAQs

How often should a palm tree be trimmed?

There are no hard and fast rules about how often to trim a palm, but one to two times a year is typically more than enough. It’s a good idea to call your arborist if your palm tree has brown, yellow, or orange fronds, which indicate dead fronds. You should also call in a pro if the fronds are reaching close to power lines or building structures.

When is the best month to trim palm trees?

The best time to trim palm trees is late spring, ideally around May. This is because summer is the most important growing season for many palm tree species. By trimming old and dying elements just before summer, the palm can focus its energy on new growth once the summer season starts.

What happens if you don’t trim palm trees?

If you don’t trim your palm trees, dead, old palm fronds can be a hazard to people and structures around them. The fronds may fall and land on someone, causing serious injury, or fall on a building or structure and damage it. Poorly maintained palm trees are also a fire hazard, so trimming is the best way to ensure your palm tree stays healthy and safe.

What’s included in palm tree trimming?

What’s included may vary by tree removal service, so it’s important to check with your company to see what they offer. In most cases, palm tree trimming services include a basic tree inspection, trimming, frond removal, and cleanup.

Do I need to remove the seed pods from my palm tree?

Seed pod removal isn’t necessary for tree health. In fact, if you live in a rural area, the seed pods will fall naturally and sprout more palms, which can give you a beautiful grove. However, if you live in a busy neighborhood with lots of foot traffic, you may want to remove the seed pods so they don’t cause damage or hurt someone if they fall.