If you are looking to prune palm trees as your next DIY project, follow our guide below!
Reasons to Prune Palm Trees
Each cut can change the overall growth of the tree, no branch should be removed unless it is needed. Reasons for pruning are for the removal of dead branches, to reduce risk of falling branches. Trees can also be pruned to allow more light and air penetration to the landscape or ground below the tree. In some cases, mature trees are pruned as corrective or preventative steps.
When to Prune
Most regular pruning to remove disease-ridden, dead or weak libs can be completed at any time of the year. Generally, wound growth and closure are increased if pruning takes place prior to the spring growth flush. A couple of tree diseases, like oak wilt, develop when pruning wounds, providing access to pathogens
Palm Tree Pruning Techniques
Certain types of pruning may be necessary to manage an adult tree in a healthy, safe, and appealing condition.
Cleaning is removing dead, dying, diseased-ridden, weakly joined, and low-strength branches from the crown of the tree.
Thinning is selective branch removal to improve the tree structure and to increase light penetration and air movement throughout the crown. Correct thinning opens up the foliage of a tree, lessens the weight on more substantial limbs, and helps keep the tree’s natural shape.
Raising removes lower branches from a tree to allow clearance for buildings, vehicles, and people.
Reduction reduces the size of a tree, usually for utility line clearance. Reducing a tree’s height or spread is generally done by pruning back the tree leaders, and branch ends to secondary branches that are sufficiently large enough to take over the terminal roles. In comparison to topping, reduction helps keep the form and structural durability of the tree.
How To Prune A Palm Tree
Follow our simple step-by-step guide if you are planning to prune the palm tree on your own.
Step 1. Inspect The Tree
- Make sure old or dead fronds are at the top of your pruning list.
- If the fronds are brown and yellow colored, pests could be present underneath.
- Inspect the stems for fruit or flowers.
- The presence of fruit and flowers can sometimes slow tree growth and provide food for pests.
Step 2. Plan The Pruning
- Remember to prune only to remove any old or dead fronds, fruit, flowers or hazardous limbs.
- Trimming beyond this can create a narrow “hurricane cut” that is not good for the tree’s overall health.
- Palm trees require a full, circular canopy of healthy green fronds.
Step 3. Prune The Tree
- Pruning shears or a saw will work, depending on the size of the tree.
- Call a professional tree service if you need to trim an exceptionally tall palm.
- Climbing a ladder while wielding pruning tools will be dangerous.
- If you are pruning a small tree, carefully prune the fronds, leaving a minimum of 2 inches of greenery on the trunk.
- Work your way down, gently pulling off loose blades (petioles) from the trunk.
- If the blade is hard to remove, leave it be at this time.
Phoenix Valley Palm Tree for Sale
If you’re looking for the best stock of palm trees in the valley A&P Nursery can help! With 4 east valley locations our team can help you find the perfect trees and plants to take your landscape from ordinary to extraordinary. In addition to selling trees and plants we partner with companies that will plant your trees or plants and care for them as long as you wish. That means all you need to do to get your landscape looking it’s best is stop by and browse our trees, choose your favorite, and leave the rest of the work to the pros.
Call or stop by one of our 4 locations today!
