Step back and admire your work. Old or dead palm tree leaves—called fronds—should be at the top of your pruning list. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Palm Tree Height – The taller the palm tree is, the more you'll pay to have it trimmed. Palm trees also need to the green leaves to product food. AJ Attia . How Do You Trim a Palm Tree? If you get busy in the summer and your plant gets scorched by drying out too much, it may have brown tips. Palm Tree Trimming Costs. Sago palms are pretty plants that will add a tropical vibe to any landscape, or even inside your home. And if the tree cannot make its food, it will look unhealthy and weak. That’s what most will tell you. Did You Know? If you plan on as the various tools that you can use to make this task easier and faster. All dry, wilted or … Palm trees when untrimmed or unpruned can prove to be a safety hazard, not to mention how unattractive and unappealing they can be. This is the reason it is fundamental to take proper care when pruning or trimming. Many times, areca palms are self-cleaning and dead fronds fall from the tree without the need for pruning. Hurricane cutting is mostly undertaken by lawn care companies who think they are doing the owner a favor. Dwarf palm trees, such as the pygmy date, the dwarf palmetto and the Mediterranean fan palm require minimal pruning to maintain its attractive look. These are known as self-cleaning palms. All palms grow from a central tip. DO NOT do a hurricane cut on palm trees. Time for that refreshing beverage. Pruning of an areca palm centers on occasional removal of trunks and suckering sprouts/stems from the base of the clump, according to the Learn2Grow plant database. After the growing of leaves, you need to trim and/or cut the leaves when palm tree goes up year by year. Very durable palm that can be grown in the USDA Zone 9a. (Hint: Don’t prune palm trees in the Winter.) The appearance of brown fronds, fruit or flowers Hurricane pruning is the over-trimming of a palm tree. You'll just need to do some ground clean up and wait for fronds to drop. Below we have outlined the cost of palm trimming in relation to the height of the tree, tree trimming price per hour, and species of the palm tree. To be safe I'd always recommend doing a quick once over before hurricane season or if you are in the middle of a drought and you're worried about fire to make sure your palm is in good shape and doesn't need pruning. The good news is, that unlike other trees there is no right or wrong time to prune a palm. Step 1: Inspect the Tree. Generally, you’ll need pruners, garden knives and pruning saws when you are trimming a palm tree. To plant a palm tree, dig your hole at least 6 inches wider and deeper than the tree’s root ball. Your palm will tell you. This will help to prepare the sago palms for healthy new growth in spring. In fact, it can seriously damage the palm tree. Having said that, let’s assume you do need to trim your palm trees for one of the “good” reasons listed above. The best time of year to trim palm trees is after mid June. Start by determining if you really need to prune. Trimming and pruning palm trees don’t have to be hugely difficult, but you do want to make sure, above all, that you’re not over-pruning or over-trimming. The cabbage palm, or Sabal palm, is also frequently called by its scientific name, Sabal palmetto. Only remove dead or dying fronds. of stem or you risk opening up the tree to infection. The ones that are 60 feet or taller typically cost between $200 and $1,200. Palm trimming and removal can be a messy job, as palm trees are highly acidic. Ponytail Palm Pruning. Pruning indoor palms isn't usually a big deal, as they tend to be easier to keep healthy. Attempting to climb a ladder, while wielding pruning tools, puts you in danger. You might also find yourself in troublewith the law, in some parts of the country it is illegal to give a palm treethese types of cuts. What is the proper way to trim a palm tree? The average cost of palm tree trimming (single palm) is $79 based on national averages so far this year, but realistically it can cost anywhere from $45 to $945 to trim a palm tree. This can affect the heath, vigor, trunk shape and over longevity and stability of the palm tree. The right time to prune a palm tree. How to Trim a Palm. Having said that, let’s assume you do need to trim your palm trees for one of the “good” reasons listed above. Before starting the pruning project you should ask yourself, "Is it the right time to prune my palm?" --------------------------------------------------------------- You won’t need to Prune for another year. The more fronds removed from your tree, the more stressed the tree will become. So if you have a nearly mature palm bursting from your house, congratulations—the next step is to seek a nearby hotel or office … Make note of any flowers or fruit since both should be removed when you are pruning.Tip: Be aware, potassium defic… If not, please do not call them with questions, etc. How To & When It’s Important To Trim Your Palm Trees in El Dorado Hills. Put on a hard hat and leather gloves before cutting and removing any fronds or flowering stalks on a tall royal palm. Our palm tree trimmers wear durable gloves, safety googles, and for taller trees climbing harnesses. Pruning the palms too close to the trunk or at too high of a level causes disease or permanent damage to the tree. The exact number is 2,600 species. Canes that are brown or gray or that have no golden tone may be dead. Cut asyou are able and carefully remove them by hand making sure to wear gloves,palms often have thorns and gloves will help. Although it’s possible to trim or prune a palm tree yourself, it’s safer and easier to hire a professional company to do it for you. Put together, they appear to be different plants. Condition of Palm Tree – If the tree is trimmed regularly, it will be cheaper. Aside from looking a little rough around the edges, the tree will also grow unchecked in your home until it becomes too large to comfortably fit inside your home. You can prune from 9-to-3 or even from 10-to-2. Single-trunked palms are monocarpic, and will not regrow like most other trees, so be cautious when pruning to avoid damaging the only growing point and trunk. Then your palm is whispering to you, "Prune me." Even then, make sure not to cut them down flush with the trunk. Just use a pole saw to remove any brown fronds. The ponytail palm leaves are sensitive to injury and tend to get dark at the ends. Indoor palm plants have more than just an ornamental job to fulfill. How to Trim a Sago Palm. Palm Tree Trimming Equipment. A word to the wise: Never, ever cut off the top of a palm tree, or you won't have a palm tree to worry about anymore. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.”  The cost to get your palm trees trimmed in the US can vary depending on the height of the tree, the region, the type of palm, and the state of the tree. Varieties of Palm Houseplants. Another palm to save your money on is the Washingtonia palm, … Never prune it for aesthetic reasons or for reshaping—only prune when there is dead and damaged material. The Mule Palm Tree, scientific name Butiagrus nabonnandii, is a hybrid between Pindo Palm and Queen Palm.This palm is rare and expensive. If trimming palm trees is done incorrectly diseases such as “Fusarium Wilt” can […] Les is a Master Gardener and arboretum curator with 30 years of experience and is self-described as "tree-hugging dirt worshipper." Keep reading to learn more about how and when to prune a pindo palm tree. Palm tree's leaves grow from its body. As you remove fronds, fruit and flowers will be easier to see and remove. Palm trees don’t rejuvenate like many other trees and shrubs; pruning won’t make them grow faster or healthier, and if not done correctly, it can ruin your tree. If trimming palm trees is done incorrectly diseases such as “Fusarium Wilt” can […] You will want to take a good look at your tree. If you have green fronds that areyellowing let them be. Experts have debated on the benefits of tree trimming for palms; some say pruning is unnecessary, but others argue that pruning as fine as long as you don’t overdo it. Each leaf has got a lot of connection tiny ropes to the body of palm tree. However, many like the cleaner look of a 9 to 3 cut or a 10 to 2 cut on their palm trees. Keeping a fair amount of palm fronds on the tree will act as a vibration dampener and reduce high vibration levels. These can attract pest that can infest your tree and cause disease. As you assess the tree, consider what tools you need and where you will start. If you’ve got smaller palms on your property, you should be able to use handheld pruning shears to nip off leaves and fruit stems. How to Trim Queen Palm Trees. Are there brown fronds, flowers or fruit? Cutting or thinning too much of your tree away is called a "hurricane cut".Pruning a palm like this is bad for the palm because it takes away its abilityto get nutrients, especially potassium. It's more than likely the fronds will require a chain saw to cut without damaging them and you want to be safe. The best time to trim trees in Arizona depends on the type of tree. Only prune from nine-to-three down but never prune above that position, that is what leads to the hurricane cut mentioned above. Palm trees don’t rejuvenate like many other trees and shrubs; pruning won’t make them grow faster or healthier, and if not done correctly, it can ruin your tree. Experts suggest trimming only when necessary. Trim frost-damaged sago palms at the beginning of spring. If you’re in the Savannah, Hilton Head, or Bluffton area give Action Aborist a call. Bismarck palms are either male or female based on their flowers; only pollinated female palms yield the blue-green fruits that ripen to black. The pindo palm (Butia capitata) is a thick, slow growing palm tree that is popular in zones 8 through 11, where it’s winter hardy. This article is going to go over the basics of how to trim a palm tree and what to consider before trimming them. By using The Spruce, you accept our, Palm Trees for Transforming Your Yard Into Paradise. The amount that you’ll pay will depend on a few important factors including: Palm Tree Height – The taller the palm tree is, the more you’ll pay to have it trimmed. Palm trees require those healthy, young, green fronds to ensure they’re getting a steady food supply, which, in … Proper palm tree trimming is key to keeping these treasures healthy and thriving. Among many experts, spring seems to be an agreeable time to prune palm trees. If instead of those pleasent thoughts, you think, I have to prune the palm tree, this how to is for you. Keeping the dead fronds in the summer time and winter time helps protect the tree from the heat and cold. With over 2,600 different palm tree species, there is nothing that screams fun in the sun more than the palm tree across your beautiful landscape. That’s called hurricane pruning, and it’s bad for your tree. An indoor palm tree can bring a small piece of the tropics into your household, but without proper trimming, it can start to look a little shabby. When most people think palm trees they day dream about tropical breezes, white sand, cool drinks, and warm sun on our skin. You can check this by taking a picture, searching through a palm tree database online, and by contacting a tree nursery or removal service for confirmation. In this video Doc shows the palm tree trimming operation at the beach house and discusses various cuts. Unfortunately, you can never top-trim a palm tree. Nutrients. Take a good look at the palm tree first. Some popular self-cleaning palms are the Royal palm, Christmas palm, King palms, and Kentia palms. Some palm trees don’t even look like they belong to that family. It is perfectly fine to prune palm trees once per year to remove any deal fronds, seed pods and low hanging leaves, but over-pruning can lead to problems with the palm tree. If you trim too man leaves off a Plam tree it can retard the way it grows moving forward. The best way to keep your plant growing evenly and to avoid pruning at all is to simply rotate the palm once a month to keep the whole plant getting even sunlight all year long. See if you have any brown fronds,that are completely dead or dried out. How to trim palm trees the right way? Although it’s possible to trim or prune a palm tree yourself, it’s safer and easier to hire a professional company to do it for you. But if you do not, it is wise to call in experts who can help you do that. If the wood underneath is green, the cane is still alive and can remain. As you remove fronds, fruit and flowers will be easier to see and remove. Pruning a palm tree is a doable DIY project, but it doesn't necessarily have to be done. If you’re looking for a time frame I would say anywhere between every 12 to 24 months. Palm trees come in all shapes and sizes. Indoor Palm Tree Care: How to Trim a Palm Tree Plant. In fact, if you overdo it on the trimming, it could actually inhibit growth and hurt the plant. They need little maintenance and only need to be trimmed or pruned once or twice a year, but knowing when to prune palm trees is the tricky part. But they are in fact palm trees… These not only look less tidy, but might also harbor insects and rodents. Improper palm tree trimming can have a devastating effect and will severely injure the tree. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. When removing green fronds, think of your palm tree like clock. It is quite alright to trim a palm tree just as long as you don’t take too much off. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); on Trimming Palm Trees – How to Trim Palms, If you’re in the Savannah, Hilton Head, or Bluffton area give. In this video Doc shows the palm tree trimming operation at the beach house and discusses various cuts. If you need to trim tall palm trees, call in a certified arborist. Next, expose the root ball’s root system and ease the tree down, making sure the root ball is slightly lower than the level of the adjacent ground. However, this can keep your trees looking neat if you follow the proper instructions. The trees require little pruning except to remove dead, damaged or diseased fronds, or to trim the palm’s long, dangerous thorns. Do not prune the top off solitary trunked palms, as you will kill them. The rough appearance of a pindo palm’s trunk is actually made up of the stubs of dead leaves. Once you know what needs to be pruned you are ready to move to the next step. Sago palms can survive cold winters, but often experience frost damage as a result. Some palm trees don't need to be pruned, like our native cabbage palm—it automatically sheds its dead leaves. Combine a few pots together and you have yourself a veritable tropical jungle that purifies the air in your home. Most palm trees should be trimmed in the early spring and only dead palm fronds and berries should be removed. Palm frond edges are incredibly sharp and can cut your hands and the goggles are a must for any type of tree trimming. Prune to remove dead or dying fronds To remove potential fire hazards, especially near buildings or homes To increase visibility and safet… Only plan remove old fronds, flowers, fruit, or limbs that may cause a hazard such as wind damage or fire. Depending on the size of your palm tree, pruning shears or a saw will do the job. Palm trees are made for the heat and can grow in Arizona as well as they do in the tropics, without too much trouble. Palm trees come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and species, and it’s not always clear how much each tree needs to be pruned, if at all. Among many experts, spring seems to be an agreeable time to prune palm trees. This is not hyperbole. Responsibly dispose of any waste you removed taking special note of any fruit and seeds that might be left at the base of your palm tree. Professional Tip: You should only trim fronds off any type of palm when they are completely brown and dead. The pruning of fan palms (and Phoenix) at the horizontal is a compromise between attempting to prune only the number of leaves the palm can produce between pruning times and reducing the frequency of having to prune the palms at all for economic reasons. Cutting a pindo palm back should only be done if the leaves are completely brown. When leaves on a palm tree are completely discolored or yellowish-brown, it is time for a trim. If the tree has been neglected then it may cost more to get it trimmed back. However, the palm trees actually "prune" themselves and shed the dead fronds when the new leaves come while the older fronds are lost and eventually fall off. Common palm tree varieties, such as the Mexican Fan Palm, cost more to transplant than they do to remove. Palm trees have rapid growth and can reach great heights. This granular product can be tossed into the cut fronds of a palm tree and around the base. Wait until spring, when there will be no more frosts, to prune away frost-damaged foliage. Palm tree's leaves grow from its body. When you make your cuts be sure to cut the fronds two inches from the trunk, taking care not to cut too close, cutting in too far may damage the trunk and allow diseases to harm the tree. If you have palms that aren't self-cleaning, you may choose to prune them periodically. It can tolerate cold, wind and drought. Every palm tree owner should be vigilant about the following to know when to prune their palm tree. Many areas have special instructions regarding palm waste. The best practice us to remove all lower branches. Leave the green fronds alone, since they're the energy factory for the tree. Improper palm tree trimming can have a devastating effect and will severely injure the tree. Aside from looking a little rough around the edges, the tree will also grow unchecked in your home until it becomes too large to comfortably fit inside your home. Make sure to leave several inches (5-7.5 cm.) DO NOT do a hurricane cut on … Work upwards cutting the fronds you selected earlier for pruning, don’t get over zealous. They’re yellow or brown on the outside and may be harboring pests underneath. This makes it difficult for a normal user, like most of you, to have a garden with palm trees, to be able to successfully prune in tall palm trees… Palm Tree Trimming Costs. Look at what needs to be removed and remember to keep a full circular canopy. If you're unsure of how to dispose of your palm fronds call your local public works department for information. How to trim palm tree trunk is what every gardener who has palm trees should know. If a palm is deficient in nutrients, like potassium or magnesium, trimming older, yellow and green fronds will “push” the deficiency conditions further up into the canopy. The need list: 1. Each leaf has got a lot of connection tiny ropes to the body of palm tree. Then, put 6 inches of sand in the bottom of the hole. This is the best time to remove seeds which are forming and any dead leaves or fronds. Do I Prune a Pindo Palm? Now look for fruit or flowers and put them on the to prune list. It’s pretty hard to get off and I’m not sure how healthy it is to have it … These are still okay; your tree is actually using themfor nourishment. Determine whether it's time to trim. Every palm tree owner should be vigilant about the following to know when to prune their palm tree. So how much does it cost to trim palm trees? Please do not leave the tree without any fronds, especially the green ones, as they make food for the tree. Palms are naturally able to withstand the high winds that hurricanes bring, so removing fronds isn't necessary. He currently serves as an Arboretum Curator and is a member of multiple gardening societies and foundations. While removing the brown dead fronds keeps palms looking their best profession palm tree trimmers will leave as much green as possible for the appearance and health of the tree. Sabal palms are actually self pruning because they easily shed their dead fronds in windy storms. When removing green fronds, think of your palm tree like clock. As palm trees grow at different rates depending on the climate and species, palm trees should be pruned when old branches/ fronds have dried and turned down or just when they start to fruit in spring. Appropriate palm tree cutting is vital to keeping these fortunes solid and flourishing. Snipping Tips for Good Health. If you’re trimming a small palm tree, carefully prune fronds, flowers and fruit leaving at least 2 inches of greenery on the trunk. And remember, the less pruning you can do, the better. When it comes to properly trimming a palm tree, there is a lot to remember and to consider. Most palm trees should be trimmed in the early spring and only dead palm fronds and berries should be removed. Photo by Flickr.. Palm Tree Trimming And Pruning To ensure the overall health and growth of your palm trees, it is important to trim and prune them the right way. Because nothing says the tropics like the graceful and dignified palms. Today, I am going to show you how to cut palm tree's leaves by yourself with really few components needed. Keeping your tree free of hazards and as safe as possible is the most important thing when considering tree maintenence. A clustering palm with slender trunks that are 2 to 3 inches in diameter, the areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) is also commonly called butterfly palm, golden cane palm or bamboo palm. Basically, palm trees don't grow externally in their trunks and grow one leaf at a time.