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Get Free Tree Removal & Cash for Palms – 2021 Guide
Updated: 17 March 2021
This has to be by far one of the most common questions I get here at GoTreeQuotes, and I have noticed a lot of false information being circulated online so I thought I would clear up the facts.
Free tree removal is possible but in rare cases. Most of the time you will need to pay for your tree to be removed.
Palm trees are an exception. If you have a sort after palm species, companies will actually pay you to come and remove it.
Free tree removal for firewood
Free tree removal is very rare but is possible if you have a desirable tree like some pine trees or palms.
Regular tree services will not remove a tree for free just for the firewood. It is not worth their time.
They would need a property to store timber for trees for 2 years to dry it, then they need to split the timber and deliver it for a fee.
Firewood along with garden mulch is a side business for tree companies and to be fair this costs them money so their margins are minimal.
Do lumber companies cut down trees for free?
In short, Lumber companies get contracted by the owner of a tree/ timber plantation to cut the trees down for a price.
After the owner of the trees pays for the lumber company for processing the timber, they make a profit by selling the timber to other companies who turn it into furniture, floorboards and other timber products.
What could work?
If you were to find a local lumber company that was interested enough in your trees for its timber, then it is feasible that they would come out and remove them for free.
The catch is you would need to be living on a largish property with god access and the timber could need to be desirable.
Highly sort after timber
Western Red Ceder – Western Red Ceder
Mahogany – Swietenia Mahagoni
Rosewood – Dalbergia species
Oak – Quercus
Ash – Fraxinus
Black cherry – Prunus serotina
Kingwood – Dalbergia Cearensis
Other desirable timbers are Tulipwood, Cocobolo, African blackwood, Bombay blackwood.
Some landscapers buy mature trees
If you have a great-looking tree that you feel would be a shame to cut up and remove, there are companies out there that will buy them and use for landscaping projects.
There is no point in me listing any here as you will need to get in touch with one local to you, but if you have a tree that looks like it can be dug up and hauled away on a truck and it is a desirable tree, then it is worth a phone call.
Free tree removal for seniors
Like the above example, tree companies can certainly give a discount for seniors but they will not be able to do it for free.
It costs a tree company $500 – $1000 per day in expenses to run with labour, equipment, fuel, insurance, etc. so they will need to cover costs and make a living on top of that.
Although most tree companies are charitable, they are not charities so they need to make a living to support their families.
Are their grants for tree removal?
It will depend on your city and state. There are some grants available, but they are more closely linked to farming and helping with expenses rather than the home suburban residents.
Will the city cut down my trees free?
If the tree is on the cities land, they will remove the tree for free. Trees that are on your property will need to be removed and paid for by the resident.
In cases where a tree is on the cities property and hanging over your property line, you can report this and they will come and remove the offending branches free of charge.
Can I remove a tree myself?
DIY tree removal is a viable option and can be next to free if you have the right equipment.
Things to consider:
Tree size – If the tree is greater than 15ft. (1 story house) then it is best being handled by a professional arborist. Working from heights with a chainsaw is extremely dangerous and should be respected. If you do not have the skills to pull it off, I suggest leaving it to a professional.
Dumping fees – Tree services can mulch your tree after they remove it and give away the woodchips for free. Un-chipped tree branches are useless and will cost you to dump at the local tip.
Chainsaw hire – Hire companies usually hire for a half-day (4 hours) or full-day (24 hours). Make sure you also hire all the Personal Protective Equipment at the point of hire.
In a lot of cases, it will work out a lot easier and cheaper to get a local tree cutting service for the job for you.
Do free tree removal services exist?
There are as many free tree removal services as there are free plumbing and electrical services. None!
That being said some trees are seen as a commodity due to the resale value of the tree itself or the timber once split or milled by the company.
In most cases though, you will only save money on the cost of tree removal if the company thinks they can make some money on the firewood, it would not negate the cost of removal altogether.
Will a logger cut down trees for free?
A logger is generally an employee of a larger tree logging company. They deal with large tree plantations over tens or hundreds of acres. They will generally not bother themselves with a single tree.
Loggers get paid by the hour and the company they work for (the logging company) also gets paid for the job.
The person who owns the trees gets paid by a milling company for the delivered timber. They make a profit after they pay for the trees to be removed.
Does free tree cutting exist anywhere?
Free tree cutting will only exist in a few forms that I can think of;
- The tree can be re-sold – There are some highly desirable palm trees they landscaping companies will come and take away free of charge because they can re-sell for a profit.
- You know someone with a chainsaw – If you have a friend or family member with a chainsaw, then maybe they would like to help you remove your tree for free one day as a favor.
- The barter system – Maybe you can offer the tree service something of equal value in return for free removal. Maybe you are in marketing, accounting or anything at you can swap your services of equal value for them to cut down your tree for free.
Cheap tree removal service near me
It is easy enough to find tree removal services near you, but the trick is getting a cheap one.
The way the world works is the companies spending the most on marketing are going to be the easiest to find….. They are also going to charge the most.
They do need to re-coupe the money they are spending on advertising after all.
GoTreeQuotes is a free service that matches you with the best-priced tree service based on previous user’s votes.
Just click here and fill in your zip code. Then answer a few questions about your tree and get up to 4 obligation-free quotes to choose from.
Actually get paid for palm trees
Palm trees are a different kettle of fish. If you happen to have the right type of palm tree and good access, there is a good chance that not only will you get free tree removal.
Most palm trees you will need to pay to have removed, but below is a list of desirable species that nurseries, landscaping companies, and building companies will pay you to remove.
Date palm
This palm is great because it is very common, but still fetches a good price from companies looking to remove them and sell them on. Landscaping companies pay a premium for these types of trees, so if you have one you might be in luck.
Mexican Blue fan palm
It’s easy to see why these palms are highly sorted after. This unusual palm is not as common, but also very sort after.
Mediterranean Fan Palm
These palms generally grow in clumps and don’t grow very tall, so they are highly desirable for pool areas and Spanish villa style homes.
Guadalupe Palm
These palms are also considered a fan palm due to the fan-shaped fronds. Like canary island date palms, these palms grow quite tall and if you have then as a pair or more of similar height they can fetch even high prices as they are used quite often at the entrance of homes of buildings.
Pindo or Jelly Palm
The Jelly palm is quite striking and unusual as it kind of looks like a giant pineapple. Its fronds are a similar silver-blue color to the Mexican fan palm but with the shape of a more traditional palm tree frond.
Senegal Date Palm
Often found in clumps of palms like in the below photo, these palms a not too easy to come by, so do fetch a pretty penny. If you are lucky enough to own a clump of these palms and are looking to sell, I can’t imagine you will have any trouble finding a buyer.
Companies that pay for palm tree removal
Knowing the palms that are sort after is one thing, but you will also need the companies that remove palm trees free or even pay for them (above examples).
Below is a list of companies and their state that pay for palm tree removal.
You can also just enter a search in Google along the lines of “Companies that buy palm trees [your state]”.
| State | Company | Contact Number | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| CALIFORNIA | South West Wholesale Jungle Music Nursery | 888 326-7256 619 291-4605 | Website Website |
| FLORIDA | Bellair Palms | 800 223-0319 | Website |
| NEVADA | Moon Valley Nurseries | 702 246-2065 | Website |
| ARIZONA | Moon Valley Nurseries | 408 374-3964 | Website |
| TEXAS | Moon Valley Nurseries | 888 695-4720 | Website |
Free tree removal sources
| Source | Tree types | FREE tree removal | What are my chances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firewood company | All except palm trees | No | 0% |
| Lumber Company | Exotic timber or a large volume of trees | Maybe | 5% |
| Senior/ Pensioner | Discounts but not free | No | 0% |
| City pays | Only trees on public land | Yes | 100% |
| Landscaping company | Exotic palms only | Yes | 70% |
| Insurance coverage | Fallen trees only | Yes | 95% |
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Cost calculator for tree services
What does tree removal typically cost?
The cost of tree removal does vary greatly from tree to tree and city to city. It even varies depending on if you get your tree removed in summer or winter so it’s a subject beyond the scope of this post, but I have a very detailed guide to tree removal cost here which will answer all your questions.
The average cost of tree removal is $871. The true range is $225 right up to $3900 for larger removals.
The range is so variable because trees themselves are varied in size and difficulty to remove. Please refer to our tree removal cost guide for more details.
Why is tree removal so expensive?
Tree surgeons aka arborists are highly trained professionals who have studied arboriculture. To operate as an arborist you will need $50,000 – $200,000 worth of heavy equipment with a truck, a mulching machine, cherry prickers, and a host of other smaller machinery namely chainsaws.
On top of the above expense, you will need a crew of 3-5 workers to assist in tree trimming or removal. All these workers are paid well and need to be covered by workers’ compensation insurance which is quite expensive for such a dangerous job.
And finally, you have public liability insurance which covers the company in case of an accident.
All in all a tree service is an extremely expensive company to run so this makes removing and trimming trees a very expensive exercise as tree services not only need to cover their costs, but also need to make a living.
Is tree removal covered by home owners insurance?
In some cases tree removal is covered by homeowners’ insurance, but only after the tree has fallen in a storm or by other means. Your insurance company will not come to the party for a perfectly healthy tree you wish to remove.
Think of it as surgery. Your insurance will pay for unexpected emergencies, but you are not covered for elective cosmetic surgery. The same applies to tree surgery.
FAQ’s
The cost will depend on the size of the tree. Prices vary from $225 for very small tree removal jobs and go right up to $5,600 for very large removals. An example would be a huge Oaktree. Be sure to get a minimum of 3 prices before deciding on tree service.
If you have a tree that poses a risk to one of their services such as interfering with power lines, sewage systems, or anything of the like, then you can contact the city who will remove the tree.
This will totally depend on the company you use, some companies offer their services on finance and others don't, so if you need a finance option always check first before going ahead with the work.
Normally insurance only covers for trees that have fallen over in a storm. If the tree is still standing and healthy, then you have a hard time trying to get insurance to cover the removal of your tree.
Fifty feet is usually classed as a medium tree and will set you back around seven hundred dollars depending on the type of tree and difficulty of the removal. Online you can find various tree removal calculators that can give you an idea of the price based on the details of the tree,
There are different rules in every city so you will need to check beforehand. Some trees are protected by the city and it is illegal to cut them with permission first. In the event that a tree is dead, fallen, dangerous, or not protected then you can cut the tree.
This will depend on factors such as the type of tree, what condition the ground is in, how heavy it is, and so on. You could have a dead tree standing for several years, or you could have a bad storm and the tree only lasts for a few days.
You will have to check with your local authority to see what their rules are, but in many cases, you will need a permit to clear land. Especially if you are planning on removing trees, planning to sell or trade the wood, and if the land is larger than two acres. Not getting a permit when required in an offense so always check beforehand.
Your safest option is to always hire a professional to get rid of a large tree. Large trees can weigh several tonnes and require specialized training and equipment in order to get rid of it safely. If you try to get rid of it without the proper resources or knowledge, you run the risk of damaging your property or severely injuring yourself.
Since pinewood is used for furniture, flooring, and other goods, pine trees are often worth money. If you have pine trees you should contact the right business and they can tell you how much your trees are worth.
In general, you are liable to pay for tree removal. You can claim on your home insurance if the tree has fallen and caused damage, the removal is then covered by the insurance. If you have a tree that is going to affect one of the city’s services such as the power lines, then they will pay for the removal. But if you just simply want a tree removed, you have to pay.
A bit factor in answering this question is what type of tree is it. There are some trees, for example, pine trees, where the roots grow down into the ground rather than out, and therefore, have very little impact on the foundation of your house. However, if the tree is one where the roots spread out, then you should definitely have it removed. The cost of removing the tree now is far cheaper than having to deal with building repairs in the future when the roots of the tree start to damage your home.
Unfortunately, once the tree has died there is nothing you can do in order to revive it.
Yes, a tree that is dying can be saved with the correct steps.
1. Find the Issue
Identify the problem; is the tree not getting enough water? Is there a pest infestation in the tree? is the soil contaminated? Once you have found the cause of tree to start dying, do what you need to rectify it.
2. Prune the Tree
It is recommended that you prune around thirty percent of the tree's foliage. Pruning is one of the best ways to help save a half-dead tree.
3. Use Fertilizer
Using natural fertilizer is the best option. Horse manure is an excellent choice and can have a huge effect on helping revive your half-dead tree.
For safety reasons, dead trees should be removed as soon as possible. Over time the branches become weaker and will drop without warning. Bad weather can rip branches off, or even topple the tree over. A dead tree can be a hazard to property and safety, and it is better to deal with it now than have a cleanup job later.
Author: Ben McInerney – Ben is a qualified arborist with 15 plus years of industry experience in Arboriculture. He ran a successful tree service before turning to writing and publishing. Ben is dedicated to providing users with the most accurate up-to-date information on everything trees.
