Most of us mow our laws and trim our shrubs regularly. But what about palm trees? You might be wondering how frequently palm trees should be trimmed, and we have the answer!
First, it depends upon your reasons for wanting to trim the palm. Primarily, we trim palms for a few very important reasons:
- It’s overgrown, many fronds have died, and the tree has become unattractive
- The dead fronds and clutter create a concern about fire hazards
- The overgrowth has become too large and encroaches upon the house, porch, or other structures
- The overgrowth is blocking your view
- Numerous dead fronds and just general overgrowth have created the perfect nesting spot for scorpions and other pests – Yuck!
On the other hand, we’ve heard a few bad reasons for trimming palm trees. Unlike other trees and shrubs, trimming a palm won’t stimulate new growth! So rejuvenation pruning is not necessary with palms. In fact, you could damage the tree if you trim it unnecessarily. So only trim palm trees when needed, for one of the above reasons.
Having said that, the frequency of trimming a palm will depend upon whether it has become unattractive, a nuisance, or dangerous. That might mean you need to trim it every few years, but the situation varies depending upon whether the above factors are present.
And of course, you want to be safe when trimming a palm or any other tree. Wear the correct protective equipment, and don’t use sharp implements or any other tools if you don’t feel completely confident about your ability to handle them.
In many cases, professional consultation is the way to go with palms. Give us a call, and we’ll assess the health and appearance of your palm tree. If trimming is necessary, we can do the job for you without risking the health of the tree. And all you have to do is make a phone call!
