The short answer
In Palm Coast in 2026, removing a tree costs between about $300 and $6,000. A small palm or ornamental in the open is $300 to $700. A medium oak or pine, 25 to 50 feet, with room to drop it is $700 to $1,500. A large laurel oak or slash pine, 50 to 70 feet, near the house or pool cage is $1,500 to $3,500 rigged down in sections. Trees that need a crane — over the roof, on a tight lot, or too rotten to climb — run $2,500 to $6,000. Stump grinding adds $100 to $400.
Prices by size
| Tree | 2026 price | What's typical |
|---|---|---|
| Small tree or palm, under 25 ft, open access | $300 – $700 | Queen palm, crape myrtle, small pine |
| Medium tree, 25–50 ft, room to drop | $700 – $1,500 | Laurel oak, pine, magnolia in an open yard |
| Large tree, 50–70 ft, near structures | $1,500 – $3,500 | Oak over the driveway or cage, climbed and rigged |
| Very large or over the house | $2,500 – $6,000 | Crane-assisted |
| Washingtonia palm, 40–60 ft | $800 – $2,800 | Higher over a roof |
| Stump grinding | $100 – $400 | Per stump, by diameter |
| City of Palm Coast permit or 163.045 letter | Included / $150 – $250 | Letter credited to the job |
What moves the price
What's under it. A tree that can be felled in one piece is a two-hour job. The same tree over a roof, a pool enclosure, a fence and a neighbor's driveway has to come down in fifty pieces on ropes, or by crane, and that's a day. This is the single biggest factor in Palm Coast, where most big oaks were planted 20 feet from the house.
Species and condition. Laurel oaks are heavy and often hollow, which makes them slower and riskier to climb than a pine of the same height. A dead tree can't be climbed safely at all and goes to the crane. Palms are quick unless they're tall.
Access. Whether a bucket truck can reach the tree from the driveway, or the crew has to carry everything through a side gate and climb, changes labor by half. Backyards behind pool cages are the expensive case.
Cleanup and the stump. Chipping and hauling are included in our prices; some companies quote without them. The stump is always a separate line, and so is hauling a big trunk that won't chip.
Timing. Storm-day pricing is the same as any other day with us, but after-hours emergency dispatch carries a fee. Non-urgent removals scheduled in winter, when crews are less busy, are sometimes cheaper.
Permits: what they cost
The City of Palm Coast requires a permit to remove trees six inches or more in diameter, with a small fee; we include it. If an ISA Certified Arborist documents that the tree presents a danger, Florida Statute 163.045 lets you skip the permit — that letter costs $150 to $250 and we credit it against the removal. Palms are usually exempt.
What a real quote includes
Ours lists the tree, the method (fell, rig or crane), chipping and hauling, the stump if you want it ground, the permit or letter, and the total, good for 30 days, with the certificate of insurance attached. If a quote is one number on a business card, ask what's in it.
Common questions
Why did I get quotes from $900 to $2,800 for the same tree?
Usually method and insurance. The low quote plans to drop it and hope, or has no workers' comp — which matters when a climber is hurt on your property. The high one may include a crane you don't need. Ask each company how they'll do it and for their certificate.
Is it cheaper to remove several trees at once?
Yes — 15 to 30 percent per tree, because the crew and equipment are already there. The same goes for neighbors scheduling together.
Does homeowners insurance pay for tree removal?
Only when the tree damaged a covered structure, and then usually with a cap. Preventive removal of a healthy or dying tree is not covered. See our insurance guide.
Can I save money by leaving the stump?
Yes, $100 to $400. A stump in a bed is fine; one in the lawn will be a mower obstacle and sprout for years if it's an oak.
How much is a crane?
About $900 to $1,500 of the total for mobilization, but on big trees over the house it often replaces two days of rigging labor and comes out even.
Related: Tree removal · Crane removal · Permit rules · Insurance guide