Mortdale based. Sydney wide. 15 years on the tools.
Palm Tree Removal & Trimming Sydney
AQF Level 5 arborists, $20M public liability and council paperwork handled. Tell us about the job and we call you back the same day.
★ 5.0 from 70 Google reviewsAQF Level 5 arboristsISO 9001 certified$20M public liability
Palm work
Palms need a different approach to other trees
Palms create different problems: seed pods, dead fronds, tight gardens, pools, tall stems and heavy trunk sections that need controlled handling.
True Roots can prune, remove and clean up palms so the property looks sharper and stays safer to maintain.
Palm jobs
Common reasons customers call.
A clean palm can change the look and maintenance load of the whole garden.
Messy fronds
Dead or hanging fronds dropping around pools, paths and roofs.
Overgrown palms
Tall palms crowding buildings, views or neighbouring spaces.
Removal and reset
Clear old palms so the garden can be replanted or redesigned.
Palm work in action
Pruning and removals, handled by climbers.
Process
How palm work is planned.
Access and debris handling are the key details.
Inspect height
Assess climbing, landing zone and nearby targets.
Protect garden
Plan where fronds and trunk sections can safely go.
Prune or remove
Complete the agreed work in controlled sections.
Clean up
Remove green waste and discuss stump options.
Questions
Palm tree questions
Can you remove palm seed pods?
Yes, where safe access is available.
Can palms be removed in tight gardens?
Often, yes. The method depends on access, height and what surrounds the palm.
Do you remove palm stumps?
Stump grinding or removal can be discussed depending on access and root conditions.
The palms we work on most
Cocos palms are the palm Sydney homeowners most often ask us to remove — they drop heavy seed pods, attract bats and rats, and outgrow small yards fast. We also remove and prune date palms, golden canes and cabbage tree palms. Note that the cabbage tree palm (Livistona australis) is protected in NSW as a native species in some situations, so we check your council rules before cutting — you can read about protected species on the NSW Environment site.
Palms: usually exempt, always messy
The most common removal in the Shire and St George. Exempt from council controls in Georges River and Sutherland Shire, so no application needed. $300–$900 ex GST.
Heavy, spiked and dangerous to fell. Craned out in one piece where the street allows, otherwise sectioned from a climber. Priced on site.
Dead fronds, seed pods and the fruit that stains driveways removed from Cocos, Date and Washingtonia palms, priced per palm on the quote.
Palm stumps are fibrous and hold water; ground out and backfilled on the day. Fronds and fruit are removed, not left for you.
Pruning, cleaning and stump options
Not every palm needs to come out. Trimming is a big part of our palm work — de-nutting cocos palms, removing dead fronds and cleaning trunks so palms look sharp and stop dropping debris. When a palm does come out, we can grind the stump the same day and leave the area ready for turf or planting.
Areas we service
Our crews work on palms right across Sydney from Mortdale — the St George area, Sutherland Shire down to Cronulla, North Shore suburbs and out through Parramatta and the Hills District. Every quote is fixed, every job is insured to $20M, and every site is left clean.
Palm tree removal cost depends on height, access and whether the fronds and trunk can drop freely or need lowering in sections — a small cocos in an open yard is a quick job, while a tall date palm behind a pool needs climbing, rigging and more time. Send through a photo with your address and we will give you a fixed price the same day, usually without needing a site visit.
Palm tree removal and trimming: what sets the price
- Species: Cocos palms are light and quick to take down. Canary Island date palms are heavy and spiked and often need a crane.
- Height: taller palms need a climber or an elevated work platform, and the head has to be lowered in sections.
- What is underneath: pools, roofs, fences and garden beds slow the job and change how the palm comes down.
- Access: whether the trunk sections can be carried or loaded straight out, or have to go through the house or down steps.
- Stump: leave it at ground level, or grind it out so you can turf or plant over it.
A single 5 m Cocos palm is typically $300–$900 ex GST. Send a photo of the palm and the access and we can usually fix the price without a visit. For bigger trees, see the tree removal cost guide.
Palm tree removal near you
Cocos palms are the most common removal we do in the Sutherland Shire and St George. We work right across Sydney, including Cronulla, Miranda, Oatley, Mortdale, St George, Parramatta, Pymble, Wahroonga and Mosman. Stump left behind? See stump grinding Sydney.
What each palm usually needs
| Palm | What we usually do | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Cocos palm Syagrus romanzoffiana | Removal, or de-nutting and dead-frond removal | Exempt from council controls in Georges River and Sutherland Shire |
| Canary Island date palm Phoenix canariensis | Cleaning, or removal by crane or in sections from a climber | Heavy and spiked; craned out in one piece where the street allows |
| Cabbage tree palm Livistona australis | Pruning, or removal once council rules are checked | A NSW native, protected in some situations |
| Washingtonia (fan palm) Washingtonia spp. | Dead-frond removal and trunk cleaning | Old fronds hang down the trunk unless they are cut off |
| Golden cane palm Dypsis lutescens | Thinning out clumps, or removal | Clumping palm, so stems can come out one at a time |
Not sure which palm you have? Send a photo and we will tell you, along with whether your council needs to approve the work.
More palm questions
How much does palm tree removal cost in Sydney?
A single 5 m Cocos palm is typically $300–$900 ex GST. Taller palms, Canary Island date palms and palms over pools or roofs cost more because they take more rigging, time or a crane. We give a fixed price before we start.
How often should a palm be trimmed?
Most Cocos and Washingtonia palms need a clean once or twice a year to remove dead fronds, seed pods and fruit before they drop onto roofs, pools and driveways. Date palms usually need it less often.
Do I need council approval to remove a palm?
Cocos palms are exempt in Georges River and Sutherland Shire, so no application is needed there. Other councils set their own rules. Bayside, for example, only exempts Cocos palms under 5 m, and larger palms of other species can need approval. We check your council before we quote.
What our clients say
Real reviews from Sydney clients, quoted from our Google profile. Long reviews are shortened; tap Read more for the full review on Google.
Reviews …Really great service, professional, safe and accommodating. Difficulties of access easily overcome, good people to deal withRead more
David G.October 2026Jimmy and the guys were excellent at their job—very fast and very tidy. I highly recommend them, and I certainly wouldn't hesitate to use them again in the future. "True Roots" are the best.
Nomikos R.October 2026Removed 4 bunches of palm nuts and tidied everything up. Great job.
Matthew K.October 2026Jimmy and his crew were fast, efficient and professional! He was so helpful in removing a tree in our yard that was a safety hazard. I highly recommend True Roots and would not hesitate to use them again if needed.
Liz B.June 2026Jimmy and his team were excellent. Fast, reliable, well-priced and impressive work. Great to see such a good, local tree removal business and arborist in Mortdale and operating in the St George area. You will not be disappointed using these guys.
Jamie D.April 2026Great service! I liked how they cleaned up after they chopped down our tree. Efficient and very competitive pricing. I would happily book them again in the future.
Celia L.April 2026Jimmy and the two men working with him were professional, hard working and efficient with their time. They removed a large bougainvillea adjacent to the pool. I was very impressed with how well they did this, especially given how thorny it…Read more
Jan B.March 2026I recently hired True Roots to remove a large gum tree from my property, and I couldn’t be more impressed with their service. From the initial consultation to the final clean-up, the team of arborists were professional, efficient, and…Read more
Joseph2025Jimmy was amazing; right from the beginning, he was informative, professional and willing to work within our budget. We could not be happier with what he has delivered for us. We removed all our side trees and replaced them with hedges and…Read more
JJ2025Highly recommend the Team from True Roots, the boys came in and removed a Black Butt that was overhanging our house. Very competitive pricing and managed to squeeze us in. The stump was ground back and all waste was removed. Very professional and skilled workers. Will definitely use them again in the future.
Ben G.2024Highly recommend! James and the boys did an amazing job cutting down a large tree in my yard. Super professional, efficient, and left everything clean and tidy. Great service, and I’m really happy with the results. Will definitely call again for any future tree work! Thanks Andrew
Andrew M.2024Qualified, insured and accountable
- AQF Level 5 arboristDiploma of Arboriculture (AHC50524), TAFE NSW, 2024. About 15 years in arboriculture.
- ISO 9001 certifiedQuality management system certified to ISO 9001.
- $20M public liabilityPlus icare workers compensation. Certificates of currency sent with every quote.
- Australian StandardsTree pruning and trimming to AS 4373, tree protection on building sites to AS 4970.
- Indigenous-ownedOwned and operated by an Indigenous director. Registered NSW Government supplier on buy.nsw.
- 5.0 on Google70 reviews, every one from a real job. Read them.
Need a palm cleaned up or removed?
Call True Roots for palm work that leaves the garden looking sharper.
Get a free quote
Tell us what you need done and we will call you back to arrange a look. Every job is assessed individually - no two trees are the same.
Urgent or unsafe tree? Call 0422 023 242 - we answer 24 hours.