- OC TreeWorx has 20 Years’ in Orange County, California
- 5 Star Rated Palm Tree Removal Service
- Zero-Contact Service To Protect Customers
- We Remove Trees Safely to Protect Property & Other Healthy Trees
- Family-owned Firm
- Bonded, Licensed & Insured Service
Types of Palm Trees We Remove in Orange County, CA
There is an amazing range of palm trees in Orange County, California. Of all the 200 species of palm that we can grow here in SoCal, our only native specimen is the Californian Fan Palm. The tall, slim Mexican Fan Palms grow well here but are imports from Mexico. We are also used to removing mighty Queen Palms. New species have begun to be planted such as the Bismark Palm with its striking blue-silver color and the Miraguama Palm (tidier version of the Mexican fan palm). There have even been one or two specimens of a newly-discovered species, the Moroccan Blue Fan Palm, planted in OC yards to great effect.
We love the variety and beauty of this remarkable tree in our environment despite others preferring more native species. Over the last 15 years, OC TreeWorx has removed thousands of sick or dying palms, unfortunately for the owners. We always recommend a suitable replacement palm after removal. However, we feel for the owner when she loses a previously healthy mature tree from her yard.
7 Reasons To Remove Your Palm Tree
1. Disease
We see many, separate diseases that affect palms in Orange County. We outline three of the ’worst offenders’ below. Once infected, your palm is doomed unless you start a maintenance program. The plan must comprise managing soil condition, water management and careful trimming. Even then, the fungus will always be present in your palm waiting for you to drop your guard.
OC TreeWorx removes diseased trees with great care to avoid distributing spores of the infection to your healthy trees. There are disease-resistant palm species available to replant your yard afterwards.
2. Fire Risk
If your palms are planted too close together i.e. less than 30 feet apart and are not regularly maintained, fire could spread rapidly from palm to palm like a series of explosive torches. Removal of the dry brown thatch that forms under the green palm is more cost-effective than removing or moving the whole tree. So we recommend palm tree trimming in this scenario.
3. Proximity to Power Lines
The same fire risk is amplified many times over if your palm trees are sited next to power cables/lines. In these situations, never remove a palm yourself. This is because electrocution is common even amongst workers in the tree care industry. In fact, 1982 saw 53 properties destroyed by a palm tree in one of California’s most severe urban fires. It happened in Anaheim and the incident made 1300 people homeless. The serious blaze took place when an untidy palm tree came into contact with a street light live electric wire. The dry palm fronds were set ablaze and flames spread to nearby properties. Removal might be necessary but in most cases regular annual will reduce the fire risk. Full report in the LA Times here.
4. Maintenance Burden
Perhaps the annual frond trimming is becoming too expensive or too dangerous to handle by you. Here, you can always get some affordable and professional palm tree trimming help. An annual palm tree maintenance plan, agreed in advance, could reduce the cost burden and so avoid a removal.
5. Storm Damage
Most of the time, palm trees can withstand a stiff breeze. However, the likelihood of damage increases when a palm is not maintained regularly. More palm fronds waving in the breeze presents a bigger ‘sail’ effect which can knock a palm out of position or completely over on occasion. Hail is not unknown in Orange County; a severe downpour and brief freeze can damage fronds and the all-important central growing ‘spike’ beyond repair.
6. Utility/Sewer Pipe Obstruction
South California’s usually-arid climate can lead palm roots to seek out any moisture they can. Clay drainage pipes can suffer damage from the incursion of palm roots. This often leaves removal as the only option, unfortunately.
7. Water Mismanagement
Despite their preference for warm climates, palm trees still need plenty of water to thrive and survive. If a drought occurs or if irrigation is turned off, your palm tree will die of thirst eventually. In such cases, removal is necessary until a water supply can resume. Over-watering can flood and suffocate the palm root ball. This severely limits the roots’ access to oxygen which all living tissues need to survive. Partial flooding can trigger a slower death by allowing fungi and other diseases to invade a weakened palm.
Top Three Palm Tree Diseases in Orange County, CA
The three most prolific palm tree diseases in Southern California are outlined briefly below. The fungal spores that have killed your palm are easily spread, especially when disturbed in a removal operation. OC TreeWorx’ 20 years experience of working with palms means that we can reduce the spread of disease to your neighboring trees.
i). Palm Disease Name: Pink Rot
Palm Trees Affected: Queen Palm, Mexican Fan Palm and California Fan Palm, most palms in Southern California in fact.
What is it? Fungal infection
Visible symptoms: Mishapen/ rotten fronds, large patches of salmon-colored/ pink fungal spores on surface.
Remedy: Correct stress on palm caused by mechanical injuries or poor location, fungicides can buy some time. Take care of root zones, only use professional trimmer, preventative care. If poor location is the problem, consider removal and and/or replacement with a more suitable species.
ii). Palm Disease Name: Diamond Scale
Palm Trees Affected: California Fan Palms (Washingtonia Filifera) and California/Mexican Fan Palm hybrids
What is it? Fungal infection
Visible symptoms: Black spots scattered on fronds developing into diamond-shaped shiny fungal fruiting bodies. Infected palms have c50% the number of green fronds than do healthy specimens.
Remedy: Chemical treatment with fungicide if caught early enough
iii). Palm Disease Name: Fusarium Wilt
Palm Trees Affected: Canary Island Palms
What is it? It’s a fungus that blocks the palm’s vascular tissues. This leads to reduced water uptake, wilt of fronds and death.
Visible symptoms: Black or dark brown streaks on petioles and leaves. Fronds turn brown and lose structural rigidity and start going limp (wilt). Fewer number of viable leaves visible on plam.
Remedy: No known cure. Mature, healthy Canary Island Palms can cost up to $25,000 to replace. Therefore, preventative techniques and maintenance are vital. Avoid planting in water-logged soils/ poor drainage.
More details in this advisory note from University of California, Agriculture & Natural Resources extension. It includes a list of (mainly) disease-resistant palm types that you may wish to consider if replacing an infected or dying tree. See the first column of Table 2 for (mainly) disease-resistant palm species on UCANR’s page here: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74148.html#TABLE2
Can My Palm Be Saved?
There are many instances where removal is not the automatic option. For example:
– Some tree diseases can be treated if caught early.
– Pests can be removed so long as they do not do too much damage.
– Poor soil nutrient levels can be corrected.
However, if you’re tree is dead, it cannot be saved. It has to be removed
Is OC TreeWorx Qualified to Remove Your Palm Tree?
Yes, we are. We have 20 years’ total experience in the tree service industry in Southern California. During this time, we have removed thousands of palms for various reasons in all cities and neighborhoods within Orange County.
We can do the job professionally and always clean up after ourselves. As a result, we have earnt more than 30 5 star reviews across Google, Angie’s List and Yelp from happy OC customers. Here are just a few.
We are also insured, bonded and licensed to work in California. Our state license number is CSLB 845189.
Our Palm Removal Service
a. Free quotation
b. Turn up at the site on time to remove palm
c. Safety assessment to eliminate damage to both person and property. Establish proximity of utility lines underground.
d. Trained staff perform our licensed and insured removal service with safety considerations in mind. Well-maintained equipment is used for maximum efficiency and safety.
e. Remove palm stump after trunk felled.
f. Tidy up site of all tree debris
Palm Tree Removal Cost
Cost here is mostly determined by the height of your palm. Heights of different species at different stages of maturity can vary wildly. Therefore, the final costs can range between $150 and $1200. So it’s best to call us for a more accurate cost estimate. We may need a picture of your tree if an immediate visit to your property is not possible.
Related Services
OC TreeWorx offers a full range of 5 Star-rated tree services. We remove trees other than palms, of-course, and our regular tree removal service is detailed here.
Orange County CA Cities We Serve…
If you’re looking for palm tree removal near me, we have you covered and are happy to serve you in all cities and communities of our wonderful county.
