How To Remove A Queen Palm Tree

Having a couple of young queen palm trees around your home is a vibe. Its height and dropping canopy of pinnate leaves give out that tropical aura that makes your space more welcoming.

However, when they have grown too large, they can be inconvenient, causing space constraints, diseases, or damage to your power line or sewage system. 

And sometimes, you might have them in the wrong spot, and removing them seems inevitable. 

Whatever the case may be, you wish to obliterate it but don’t know where to start. 

Well, in this article, I will teach you step-by-step how to remove a queen palm tree SAFELY. 

How To Remove A Queen Palm Tree 

Method 1: Hiring A Tree Removal Service 

The safest and easiest way to remove a queen palm tree without breaking a sweat is by calling for a professional service. 

This is especially true when you have many trees to take down. Aside from saving yourself from the hassle, you eliminate any risk of a fatal accident during removal. 

Just think about it for a second: 

You don’t have any professional tree removal experience whatsoever. Yet, you are up against a 50 feet tall tree —trying to balance on a precarious ladder, taking out the trunk section with a running chainsaw. 

I don’t know how to make the scenario any more interesting. But it is more hazardous than you thought, considering 97% of annual ladder falls of over half a million occur at home or on farms.

And according to research, about 43% of fatal falls involve ladders. So the steaks are high going up there with little or no knowledge about what to do. 

Also, assembling the right equipment for the job can be a headache. 

If you don’t have the Chainsaw or axe, Protective gear, Tree loppers, Shovel, Rope, Gas-powered tree spade, or backhoe, you must rent them.

Aside from that, you can end up with costly repairs, especially when dealing with taller palms next to your property. 

Things might even get nastier if your homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover the cause of the damage. 

But supposing you let a pro handle it, they come in handy with insurance for these types of incidents.  

So if any damage does occur, your hands are clean of any payment.

And lastly, since they are arborists, they help evaluate whether you need a tree removal permit. 

They will also educate you on potential disease issues like rot and probably take care of waste. 

Just have a budget of $200 to $500.

Method 2: Do It Your

1. Apply For A Permit (Optional)

First, fire for a permit if you are doing it yourself.  

Most cities in the U.S. are prohibited from cutting down trees. Hence, you can’t decide to take out the tree on your own. 

You need to consult an arborist to evaluate the situation. And if they give the green light that the presents of the palm tree are hazardous for your home, you can proceed with the removal process without a permit.

However, if you live in Florida, that might not be necessary as palm trees are not protected species. It just depends on what county you live in. 

For instance, in Charlotte County, you need a permit for anything more than six feet of clear trunk. In the City of North Port, you also need a permit. 

You will need to get an arborist to evaluate the potential dangers. If the arborist confirms your claims, you can proceed without applying for a permit. 

2. Check Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy

Next is to confirm whether your homeowner’s insurance got you covered should any accidental damage be caused. 

This is a crucial step, as anything could happen. 

And if the insurance has comprehensive coverage, you can proceed with the action.

3. Make Plans For The Waste

Cutting down over a 50 feet queen palm tree leaves a surprising amount of biomass behind. So thinking beforehand about where to dump the ruse.

You have two options: either you have a designated spot for garden waste to groom compost and use as organic fertilizers. Or, you can have the waste removed. 

4. Equip Yourself And Decide How To Cut 

All you need for a successful removal is the following: 

• A chain saw 
• An ax
• Earmuffs
• Safety goggles
• A safety harness
• Gloves
• A reliable ladder

These tools are only needed for a giant queen palm. 

However, if the tree is very young, you might just dig it out with an electric spade –maybe with ropes. 

You also need a pair of gloves, sturdy shoes, and safety goggles. 

Cutting a queen palm tree, you want it to fall precisely to the bull’s eye. So cut out a wedge of about one-third to one-quarter diameter from the angle you want it to fall. 

Then, work around the opposite angle with the chainsaw. You should notice a sag as you get closer to the wedge. Then let it drop by itself.

If the queen’s palm is too large, trim the tree and its fronds.  

Get a firm ladder stand at the base before removing individual fronds with loppers, a hand-held tree saw, or the chainsaw.

Cut the trunk into sections —more like an arm’s length.

In the entire process, be careful with the falling trunk. If any incidentally hit the ladder, it could send you toppling to the ground. 

5. Should You Remove The Base Of The Trunk?

Most homeowners leave the base for the seating area or as a pedestal to put pot plants. 

However, if you wish to remove it, check out our article on ‘how to get rid of palm tree roots.’ We discussed better strategies like rotting out the stump, grinding, and other methods. 

Conclusion

So there you have it on how to remove a queen palm tree. 

While the DIY option is more budget-friendly, the risk involved is too high, especially if it is your first time. 

I recommend you call an expert for the job if you have the money, as it is safer and stress-free. 

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