Hey everybody, first post here! I just bought a house and unfortunately need to remove four Canary Island palms from the backyard that have overgrown and are cracking the pool deck. I've gotten some quotes from tree removal services and they're (what seems to me) expensive. But then I thought, hey, couldn't I just do this myself? I've got time! The trunks are of varying heights, anywhere from four to maybe seven feet. One has a very large diameter base, maybe 36" or more. What are some things to consider if taking on this project myself? What type of gear would I need? Based on the quotes I've gotten (many thousands of dollars), the cost of a chainsaw and some protective gear wouldn't even come close. I should also say I'm very handy with tools and do much handyman-type work myself so I'm not intimidated by this project. I just want to be smart and safe!
Removing these darn trees DIY!
- Thread starter TaylorNV
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ropensaddle
Feel Lucky
Been many experienced men killed climbing palms. I think might be time to pony up the coin
Babaganoosh
ArboristSite Operative
He said they are only 4 to 7 feet high. While that doesn't negate all the risk , especially for a possible chainsaw newb, it does make it sound a lot more doable.
How much were the quotes and as requested before...pics?
How much were the quotes and as requested before...pics?
ropensaddle
Feel Lucky
I read that but I assumed it was a typo at 36 inch thick but hmm
Thanks for the replies. Here's a photo of two of the largest palms, with a standard 5 gallon bucket for a size reference. The trunks aren't quite 7 feet, maybe 6 1/2:
The price I was quoted for 4 Canary palms and 4 Mexican fan palms was anywhere between $3500-$8000. The cheaper quotes also required me to rent two dumpsters, adding to the cost.
There are a few Mexican fan palms I need removed, but there's no way I'm going to try to cut those. I just thought I might try to save some money by cutting down the Canary palms myself.
The price I was quoted for 4 Canary palms and 4 Mexican fan palms was anywhere between $3500-$8000. The cheaper quotes also required me to rent two dumpsters, adding to the cost.
There are a few Mexican fan palms I need removed, but there's no way I'm going to try to cut those. I just thought I might try to save some money by cutting down the Canary palms myself.
My pre-teen grandsons have cut down trees that high with a machete - not that fat of course (maybe 10"), but in a couple of weeks they would hack something like that down in a few weeks.
For very low risk, use a misery whip, good way to work up a thirst for beers.
When I was a kid, we would have contests on sawing up old telephone poles or logs with a 8 ft saw pop had.
I'd simply back my PU next to those, hack off the tops, and let the grandkids have fun with the rest.
For very low risk, use a misery whip, good way to work up a thirst for beers.
When I was a kid, we would have contests on sawing up old telephone poles or logs with a 8 ft saw pop had.
I'd simply back my PU next to those, hack off the tops, and let the grandkids have fun with the rest.
It's doable. A good polesaw for the fronds, and a 60cc saw with a 20" bar, and all the ppe, a heavy duty wheelbarrow, and probably more work than you realize.
ropensaddle
Feel Lucky
Those fronds dangerous ? I have zero experience with them but read of crown collapse and also they are tough on saws?
They're not bad. A good pole saw goes right through them. The frond collapse you're thinking of is when a palm hasn't been trimmed in a long time and the climber disturbs the tree, causing them all to slide down en masse, pinning him to the trunk and smothering him. Not an issue in this case.
The OP will discover, like others have, that Trees grow once they're down, palm wood is heavy as he'll and dulls a chain fast, and tree guys earn their money the hard way.
The OP will discover, like others have, that Trees grow once they're down, palm wood is heavy as he'll and dulls a chain fast, and tree guys earn their money the hard way.
Consider that tree guys price their bids on $150-200/hr for a 2 man crew. Considering some travel time, you would be paying $1500 for a 7 hr day for 2 guys. This means the bid was based on ~ 3 crew days. This is just an estimate to show how much work you can expect.
I would also recommend you rent a bin.
I would also recommend you rent a bin.
ropensaddle
Feel Lucky
What when it is an issue what steps can be taken to remedy it just in case i ever end up in palm country ?
Go ahead and try doing yourself and post pics as you go,,,,you will wish you had not.
Jeff
Jeff
Honestly, a cherry picker if it will fit. If not, SRT over the crown and throw T.I.T.S. out the window until you whittle a window into the mess. Hand saw in until you can throw a lanyard around the trunk and go to town on it. And then buy your groundies lunch, cause you're gonna make a mess.
ropensaddle
Feel Lucky
Would the wraptor do or would haas and wrench be better ? Does it pay well ? I figure there's lots of work doing it near coast!
Oldman47
ArboristSite Guru
Just looking at your picture you are dealing with trees 15 to 20 feet tall and very broad. I also see piping for your pool right next to one of the trunks, so that would be very easy to damage if you are not very careful. It looks to me like you are going to be taking those out in pieces over several weeks or even longer. My own experience with palms was that once I had the main trunk down I was able to remove the stump below ground with nothing but a hatchet on a palm that started out over 30 feet tall. It was almost as if it had no real root structure, just feeders.
Save the money and do it yourself. 3500-8000 is a bit much IMHO for those palms. I was just quoted 4875 and 6350 to remove and stump grind 6 oaks approx. 100 ft tall which require a climber since they're so close to the house and they can't get a cherry picker in there.
I could be there in 3 hours and help you out, but they are not difficult to work with. My mom lives near Palm Springs where there are quite a few of those things. They still do not seem like trees though. I knew some one that wacked down their trees and then chopped up the leaves and branches. It took about 3 months, but they just kept putting the stuff in the trash can and bags until it was gone. From my point of view is that when you are cutting the saw tends to wander and not want to go straight because the wood is not really wood with grain. So it is very important to be well planned and careful. Thanks
Yes, that looks like an easy job. Certainly not worth the prices you were quoted - at least around here.
There are a number of great videos on Youtube on "how to fell a tree" so watch a bunch of those to get the idea of how it's done safely. Main thing is to make sure your notch 'aims' the direction of the fall, and take your time doing the notch just right. If it's not right, just keep sawing away until it is, then do the back cut. Make sure you don't cut all the way through the back cut, or the purpose of the notch and hinge will be over.
The more material you can get down from above, the better. Buy/borrow a pole saw and get those fronds off. You also want to make sure your trees don't roll into the pool after you drop them, but if you do, make sure you get it on video. That'll be a winner for sure!!
Looks like you will break your pool pipes in the process, but that's cheap and easy to replace, so go for it.
ALWAYS be aware of where the tip of your bar is, and if anything is close enough to touch it. Keep the work area clear of anything not needed. Don't let the saw chain touch anything but wood - no dirt, no rock, no metal, etc. Wood only.
Let us know how it goes, and post some pics!
There are a number of great videos on Youtube on "how to fell a tree" so watch a bunch of those to get the idea of how it's done safely. Main thing is to make sure your notch 'aims' the direction of the fall, and take your time doing the notch just right. If it's not right, just keep sawing away until it is, then do the back cut. Make sure you don't cut all the way through the back cut, or the purpose of the notch and hinge will be over.
The more material you can get down from above, the better. Buy/borrow a pole saw and get those fronds off. You also want to make sure your trees don't roll into the pool after you drop them, but if you do, make sure you get it on video. That'll be a winner for sure!!
Looks like you will break your pool pipes in the process, but that's cheap and easy to replace, so go for it.
ALWAYS be aware of where the tip of your bar is, and if anything is close enough to touch it. Keep the work area clear of anything not needed. Don't let the saw chain touch anything but wood - no dirt, no rock, no metal, etc. Wood only.
Let us know how it goes, and post some pics!
