Palms are everywhere in Mandurah gardens, from cocos along the back fence to big date palms out the front. Once the palm is down, the stump that’s left is a different job from a gum or peppermint stump. Mandurah Stump Care is a referral service. We connect you with a local, fully insured stump grinding operator who can look at your palm stump and give you a free, no-obligation quote.
Call or text 0485 557 649 and text a photo of the palm stump, with something beside it for scale, plus the gate or path it will need to come through.
Why palm stumps are different
Palms don’t grow like ordinary trees. The trunk has no bark or growth rings. It’s a dense mass of tough, stringy fibres. Instead of a few thick roots spreading out, a palm has a tight mat of many thinner roots growing from the base.
That changes how the stump is handled:
- Fibres can wrap around a grinder’s cutting wheel, so the operator may work more slowly or clear the machine as they go
- The grindings are stringy and break down slowly, so they don’t make great mulch, and many people have them taken away
- The root mat is fairly compact, so a smaller palm stump can sometimes be dug out whole
Common palm stumps in Mandurah yards
Cocos palms
Cocos (queen) palms have slim trunks, so each stump is usually modest in size. They’re often planted in rows along fences or driveways, which means several stumps in one visit. That’s worth mentioning, because the price per stump usually drops.
Date palms
Canary Island date palms have very thick trunks, and the stump can be wide and heavy with old frond bases still attached. Leftover fronds carry sharp spines, so let the operator know if any are still lying around. Some date palms also grow in clumps with suckers around the base.
Ponytail palms
Despite the name, a ponytail palm isn’t a true palm. It’s a succulent with a swollen, bulb-like base that stores water. That base can be large, soft and wet, and depending on its size, digging it out may make more sense than grinding.
Grinding vs digging out
Grinding takes the stump below ground level and leaves the root mat to break down. It suits lawn, turf or a new garden bed over the top, and it’s usually the tidier option when the stump is close to paving or a wall.
Digging out takes the whole root ball. It can suit small palms and ponytail palms, or spots where you plan to plant something new or lay a solid base. It leaves a bigger hole to fill, and in Mandurah’s sandy soil that often means bringing in soil.
The operator can advise which method suits your stump. Our stump removal guide covers the general differences.
Tight access
Palms are often planted close to walls, pools, fences and patios, which is part of why people want them gone. Smaller grinders are made for narrow gates, but the operator needs to know what they’re working with. Measure the narrowest point on the path, and mention steps, pool fencing and sprinkler lines. Before any digging, a free Before You Dig Australia enquiry at byda.com.au is worth doing.
Want to know what’s possible for your palm stump? Call or text 0485 557 649 and send photos of the stump and the access.
Palm stump FAQ
Will a palm stump grow back?
Single-trunk palms such as cocos generally don’t reshoot once cut below the growing point. Clumping palms can send up new suckers, and ponytail palms may reshoot, so ask the operator how far down to go.
Is a palm stump cheaper to grind than a tree stump?
Not always. Palm timber is softer, but the fibres slow the job down, and a big date palm stump can be wide. Published prices vary a lot, so treat any figure as indicative. See our stump grinding cost guide.
Can I just leave it to rot?
You can, but a palm stump can take a long time to break down, and in the meantime it’s in the way of mowing, turf and paving.
What happens to the grindings?
Because palm grindings are stringy, many people choose to have them removed. This can cost extra, so ask whether it’s included in your quote.
Get a free quote for your palm stump
We connect homeowners across Halls Head, Falcon, Dawesville and the rest of our service area with local operators. Call or text 0485 557 649 with a photo of the stump for a free, no-obligation quote.