Palms · North Shore
Palm tree removal
Cocos palms drop fronds and seed pods, attract flying foxes and crowd small gardens. Across most of the north shore you can remove them without a council permit.
Which palms need approval?
| Council | Palms |
|---|---|
| Mosman | Cocos palm is an exempt species. Other palms over the size thresholds need consent. |
| North Sydney | Cocos palm is exempt at any size, and dead palm fronds can be removed without a permit. On heritage items, Bangalow and Kentia palms are protected whatever their size. |
| Willoughby | Check the undesirable species list in Part G of the Willoughby DCP. Palms over the size thresholds that aren't listed need approval. |
| Lane Cove | Check Council's Fee-Free Species List. Listed species can be removed with a fee-free permit. |
| Ku-ring-gai | Cocos palm is on Council's exempt species list, except on heritage items and in heritage conservation areas. |
Checked against council rules on 3 November 2026.
Palm work we do
- Full palm removal, including palms in courtyards and against walls, taken down in sections.
- Frond and seed pod cleaning to stop the mess and the weight building up.
- Grinding out the palm base so you can replant.
Palm tree removal by suburb
We cover the lower and upper north shore. Local pages:
Common questions
Do I need a permit to remove a cocos palm?
Not in Mosman or North Sydney, where cocos palm is an exempt species. In Lane Cove and Willoughby, check the council's exempt or fee-free species list first.
Can you remove a palm without damaging the garden around it?
Yes. Palms are taken down from the top in sections and lowered, so nothing is dropped onto garden beds, paving or pools.
Need a tree looked at?
Tell us the suburb and send a photo. We'll tell you what's involved, whether council needs to approve it, and what it should cost.