How To Trim A Palm Tree: 13 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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1 Sterilize your pruning tools. Pruning tools can spread disease from one tree to another. All of your pruning tools should be sterilized before you begin trimming your tree.[6] X Research source
- Wipe any dirt or debris from your pruning gear.
- Sterilize the tools by placing them in a solution of 1 part bleach to 3 parts water.
- Take chainsaws apart and soak both the chain and bar.
- Let tools soak for 5 minutes.
- Rinse tools with clean water and allow them to air dry before using.
2 Set up your climbing gear. Before you scale the tree, make sure the climbing gear you are using is secure and stable.
- Check that your ladder, step stool or cherry picker is stable and that any climbing equipment you are using is secure.
- Ensure the tree is not being bent, punctured or otherwise damaged by the climbing equipment you are using. If you damage the trunk of your palm while pruning, the tree may not heal.
3 Remove dead or damaged leaves only. Removing healthy fronds robs the tree of important nutrients and can result in slow growth, the spread of disease and the death of the palm.[7] X Research source
- Mature fronds are found below the current year's growth. It's important to leave at least two rows (or more) of mature fronds.
- Begin at the bottom of the foliage and look for dead, dying or broken fronds.
- Use your pruning gear to remove dead or broken fronds from the trunk. Cut each frond at least 2 inches (5.08 cm) from the trunk. Cutting too close to the trunk can damage the tree.
- Remove green fronds only if they hang at an angle below a line that is 90 degrees, or parallel. to the ground. Don't prune fronds that are above this horizontal line as it can weaken the tree.[8]
- Never cut off the top, or crown, of the palm. The crown will not grow back and the tree will die.
- You do not need to prune self-cleaning palms such as King palms, Kentia palms, Jubaea palms or Chamadoreas. Their leaves fall off naturally as they die, making trimming unnecessary. If it is only necessary to trim a self-cleaning palm because of potential safety hazards. Trim dead fronds or the oldest fronds only.
4 Pull off loose petioles (blades) from the fronds.
- Take the loose petiole (blade) between your fingers and pull gently. If the petiole does not come off easily, leave it.
5 Prune flowers or developing fruit from the palm if your particular species is the flowering type. Palm flowers and fruits take energy and nutrients away from the tree, attract pests, and create hazards for people walking below.
- Cut fruit and fruit stalks from the fronds or trunk and remove flower growth by hand.
- Fruit stalks and flowers should be removed as soon as they are visible.
6 Discard of pruned fronds, petioles and fruit properly. Place fronds in a trash bin made for organic waste. Palm tree fronds tend to have sharp needle-like protrusions that can prick those who handle the waste.
- Continue to wear gardening gloves as you clean up debris.
- Pick up any fallen fruit, flowers or seeds. Pests that can harm the tree are attracted to dropped seeds and fruit. Fallen fruit can also stain concrete and produce unpleasant odors, and the seeds can germinate in undesirable places.
- Consult your local waste disposal service department to find out how and where to dispose of palm debris.
7 Wait a year (or longer) before trimming again. Palm trees do best when left alone. Green fronds produce all of a palm tree's food. Keeping them around is integral to maintaining the health and strength of your tree. For that reason, you should never take off more leaves in one year than the tree can produce in that time.