We love our palm trees here in South East Queensland. So it’s not surprising that they feature heavily in lots of backyards. And what’s not to like? There’s nothing like the gentle swaying of gorgeous palm leaves to get you thinking of far-off holidays and tropical beaches. Like most trees, palms need a bit of TLC to keep them safe, healthy and looking their best. Yet these majestic beauties are fairly low maintenance if you do the right things. So what should you do if you’re just starting out to ensure the success of your palm trees? Here are some of our top tips for palm tree care.
1. Choose Wisely
If you’re fortunate enough to be in a position where you’re just planting your palm trees, make sure you do a bit of research first about what type would be best suited to your space and conditions. There are a large number of palm species of all different shapes and sizes. Some can grow to be extremely high, so pick the one that’s best for you to save headaches down the track.
Make sure you have ample size allocated to the new palm and that your conditions are suited to the preferences of the plant. Some species have a large number of seed pods that need to be removed or they will cause a big mess and attract animals. Some will produce and drop coconuts, some will be single trunk while others will grow into a clump. Do your homework or ask an Arborist who will be able to best advise the best type of palm for you and your backyard.
2. Pick And Prepare The Planting Spot
Once you’ve selected your palm and are ready to plant, be sure to prepare the site to ensure the success of the plant. The soil should be suited to the preference of the palm. Some prefer more alkaline soil, while others are okay with mildly acidic soil. In any case, the soil needs to have good drainage. Think about sun and wind exposure and proximity to your house and other buildings, pathways or pool. Don’t bury the trunk of the tree too deep and don’t pile mulch right up to the trunk as it may suffocate the tree.
3. Palm Tree Care & Maintenance
Once your palm tree has been planted it will need some basic maintenance. While it is establishing itself, do some supplemental watering to ensure it is getting plenty of water. Whilst you certainly don’t want the soil to dry out completely you also don’t want to overdo it and give it too much water as both can cause issues. Make sure the soil is moist to the touch. Regular mulching will also help retain moisture and regulate temperature.
Be on the lookout for any signs of pest or disease. Changes to the leaves and small holes in the trunk can be the sign of common pests here in Australia such as the weevil borer, palm leaf beetle and palm budworm.
4. Regular Check-ups
Once your palm tree is established, it’s a good idea to have them regularly inspected by a professional Arborist. A professional can ensure your trees are healthy and carry out any maintenance work that may need to be done. Palms can drop heavy fronds and seed pods and if they become unhealthy may be at risk of falling over in storms or heavy winds. An Arborist will be able to assess the tree, carry out any necessary pruning (often referred to as a ‘palm clean’) and give advice for its care moving forward.
Pruning palm trees, especially very large species, can be very dangerous and extremely demanding physically. So unless you are very experienced, fit and have the right tools for the job, don’t take the risk yourself, it’s just not worth it.
To book in your next Brisbane palm tree care and cleaning service, look no further than Aussie Tree Solutions. Servicing South East Queensland for over 35 years, we are your local team of professional, qualified Arborists. We can take care of all of your tree care needs from tree lopping and pruning to full tree removals. Call our friendly team on (07) 3351 1722 for an obligation free palm tree lopping and maintenance quote today.