Tree Debris Removal in Palm Coast, FL

Under a City of Palm Coast ordinance, waste made by a contractor, tree trimmers included, has to be removed by that contractor at its own expense. It can't go to the curb for the City's hauler. So when you book trimming or a removal, check whether hauling is in the price or a separate line.

• Hauling after a trim: $75 to $250 in HomeGuide's trimming guide
• Dump-site fees: $30 to $100 a ton, sometimes folded into the labor charge

After a big storm the City sets the debris rules in a notice for that storm, so read the current one before you pile anything. The October 2024 notice after Hurricane Milton is a fair sample:

• Vegetative debris (logs, branches, leaves) in its own pile, apart from building debris
• No bags or containers: one plastic bag could get the whole pile turned down for FEMA reimbursement
• Not on a vacant lot, and not next to a mailbox or driveway, so the loading machine can reach it
• One collection pass, so the pile has to be out by the date given

A storm doesn't always bring a special pickup: after Hurricane Helene in September 2024, the City kept regular yard waste collection running instead of starting its disaster debris contract. If a tree is still down across the house or driveway, start with emergency tree removal.

A chipper turns limbs into chips at the curb, and that cuts down the trailer loads leaving the lot. You can ask for the chips to be dumped in a corner of the yard as mulch for beds. In a yard backing onto woods, UF/IFAS suggests keeping mulch out of the 30 feet nearest the house.

• On-site chipping: $100 to $150 an hour (HomeGuide)

Some owners keep the trunk wood. Ask for it cut to a set length and stacked where you want it before the crew leaves. UF/IFAS rates hardwoods like oak above pine as firewood, and says fresh-cut wood needs a full year to dry, split into pieces under 8 inches across.