3 Important Questions To Consider Before Having An Unwanted Palm Tree Removed
Depending on its location, a fully grown palm tree can be a welcome visual accent and source of shade, or an eyesore and obstruction you want to remove from our land as soon as possible. If you do want to have an errant palm tree removed from your land, a wide variety of tree felling services (some specialising in palm tree felling) are available to do the dirty work for you; however, disposing of an unwanted palm tree isn't quite as simple as that.
No two palms are ever quite the same, and removing one palm tree can be far more difficult and expensive than removing one that looks practically identical. As such, you should ask yourself the following three questions about any palm tree you seek to have removed, to ensure that the eventual felling process goes as quickly and smoothly as possible:
How large is the palm that needs removing?
The height, truck girth and overall size of the palm tree you wish to remove will dramatically affect how much felling the tree costs, so you should measure the dimensions of your tree as accurately as reasonably possible before you seek quotes from tree felling services. This doesn't mean you have to go shimmying up the trunk of your palm with a tape measure, but a rough estimate of the tree's height and diameter in metres or feet will help tree felling services give you the most accurate price quote.
The size of your tree can also influence the methods which are used to fell it. For example, a tall palm tree located in an enclosed courtyard may not be suitable for conventional felling, which ma deal significant damage to surrounding buildings. If you suspect the size of your tree precludes traditional, one-cut felling, let your chosen tree removal service know so they can offer alternative removal methods.
What species of palm tree are you dealing with?
If you are not a natural arborist, identifying the species of palm you are dealing with can be challenging, but if possible, you should attempt to determine the species of the palm tree you want removed; the best ways to do this are usually by observing the shapes of the fronds and fruit they produce, while some species have distinctively patterned or shaped trunks.
There are two reasons for doing this; firstly, the species of palm may affect how much it costs to remove. Some particularly hardy palm species, particularly those native to inland desert regions, have enormous, complex root systems which can be difficult to destroy and remove; others are notorious for shedding heavy, dangerous fruit when disturbed, and may require professional fruit and frond removal before they can be safely felled.
The other good reason to check the species of your palm is to ensure that it is not an endangered or protected species. Some palm tree species, particularly Madagascar palms, are critically endangered in the wild, while some native species may be protected from felling by local bylaws. If you are at all unsure about whether your palm tree can legally be removed, seek advice from your local authority first.
Can your palm be replanted?
Palms are hardy, durable trees, and can thrive after being removed and replanted, even if transported a long distance. As such, you should check your locality's palm transplant and replacement registers; individuals or businesses who require palm trees will place their names on these registers, and will often take on the costs of felling and transporting your tree themselves. Rare and/or ornamental palm species are in particularly high demand, and may be eligible for removal at zero cost to you.