Palm Tree Removal Cost in Australia

By the WTD team · Updated October 2026

Palms are priced differently to other trees. What's The Damage's October 2026 re-verification across 90+ sources puts a standard palm at $250–$1,200 to remove nationally, with $400 typical, and a large palm (10 m+) or Canary Island date palm at $1,200–$3,000, with $1,800 typical. Here's what moves the price, what the stump adds, and what a whole job comes to.

What palm tree removal costs

Most palms sit in the standard band. The big jump comes with height and with Canary Island date palms, which are heavy and spiny. The stump is usually a separate line, priced by its width.

What moves a palm up or down the band

Height is the big one. A short palm can often be cut from the ground, while a tall one needs a climber or an elevated work platform, and the trunk has to come down in pieces. Access matters next: a palm beside the house, over a fence or near a pool takes longer to lower safely than one in an open yard. Palm fronds and trunks are bulky and fibrous, so green waste removal is a real part of the bill. And anything near powerlines needs the electricity network involved first, so ask about that when you book.

The stump: grind it or leave it

Removal usually leaves a stump at ground level. If you want the spot ready for lawn, paving or a garden bed, ask for stump grinding on the same visit, so the crew only comes out once. Grinding is priced by the stump's width, so measure it or send a photo with something for scale when you ask for quotes.

Worked examples: a whole palm job

Each line adds our national prices for the palm and the stump together.

Palm tree removal cost by city

Prices for removing a standard palm in each city, taken from that city's tree removal guide. Melbourne and Sydney have their own palm guides.

Getting a good palm quote

Get at least two quotes, and send each one the same photos: the whole palm, the base of the trunk and what sits around it. Ask whether the price includes the stump and taking all the green waste away, and check the crew is insured. Before anything is cut, check your council's tree rules, because some councils protect significant palms.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to remove a palm tree in Australia?

A standard palm costs $250–$1,200 to remove nationally, with $400 typical, per What's The Damage's October 2026 re-verification across 90+ sources. A large palm (10 m+) or a Canary Island date palm costs $1,200–$3,000, with $1,800 typical.

Does palm removal include the stump?

Not always, so ask. Stump grinding is often quoted as its own line: $150–$300 for a small stump, $250–$500 for a medium one and $400–$900 for a large one. A standard palm plus a small stump grind comes to $400–$1,500, with $600 typical.

Why do Canary Island date palms cost more to remove?

They are big, heavy and armed with sharp spines at the base of each frond, so they take more time, more gear and more care to take down and carry away. Removal runs $1,200–$3,000, and with a medium stump grind the whole job comes to $1,450–$3,500, with $2,150 typical.

Do I need council approval to remove a palm tree?

It depends on your council. Some protect significant or heritage-listed palms, and others only protect trees over a set size. Check your council's tree rules, or ask the arborist quoting the job, before any work starts.