Palm Tree Removal
Full palm extraction — date palms, queen palms, cocos, washingtonia. Including the root mat.
About our palm tree removal service
Palms are different from broadleaf trees: dense crowns with heavy fronds, no taper trunk to climb in the usual way, and a fibrous root mat that resists conventional grinding. We use crane assist for tall washingtonias and dedicated palm spurs for shorter species.
Most Gauteng palm jobs are washingtonia robusta (Mexican fan palm), now classified as invasive in some municipalities, and date palms with dropping seed pods over pools.
When you need this service
- Palm too tall to maintain safely
- Dropping fronds/seed pods over pool, paving or vehicles
- Invasive species (Washingtonia) being phased out
- Storm-damaged crown
- Property sale clearance
How we approach every job
- 1
Skirt strip
Dead fronds and seed pods cleared first to reduce weight and improve visibility.
- 2
Sectional drop or crane lift
Trunk cut in 1-metre sections, lowered or craned out depending on access.
- 3
Root-mat removal
Excavator or hand-dug; palm mats don't grind like wood.
- 4
Backfill
Soil and chip mix back into the hole.
Real palm tree removal
A recent Columbus job: a mature Washingtonia palm leaning over the driveway, removed sectionally, root mat cleared and the boundary wall rebuilt where the trunk had pushed it out — all in one visit.
Before
AfterPalm Tree Removal prices in Gauteng (2025/2026)
Indicative ranges across Kempton Park, Johannesburg, Pretoria and the wider Gauteng service area. Every quote is written, free and given after an on-site visit.
| Service | Size / scope | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Palm tree removal — small | Under 5 m palm | R2,500 – R4,000 |
| Palm tree removal — large | Over 5 m, specialist removal | R4,000 – R8,000+ |
Palm Tree Removal across Gauteng
We cover the East Rand, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Hartbeespoort. Pick your suburb for local pricing context and a faster callout.
Palm Tree Removal — common questions
Can the palm be moved instead of removed?
Yes — palms transplant better than most trees. Worth discussing for date palms and king palms.
Will the root mat regrow?
Most palms don't sucker; once the apical bud is cut, the trunk dies. Removing the root mat is for landscaping, not regrowth control.