Palm trees look great in every yard and are pretty low maintenance. But when the seasons change and the leaves die, maintaining them and giving them their seasonal trim can be a hassle, especially to the uninitiated.
While you don’t have to do it often, it’s helpful to know how to trim it so you can maintain your palm trees when the time comes.
Common Misconceptions On Palms
Before we talk about maintenance tips for palms, we want to highlight some misconceptions on palm trees so you can take good care of your palm trees at home.
They need to be trimmed frequently.
Some homeowners tend to trim palm fronds the minute they grow another leaf in the belief that trimming frequently will lead to thicker growth. Just like any plant, palm trees don’t need day-by-day maintenance and actually thrive with less pruning.
Dead leaves are harmful to the tree.
While we agree that dead, withered leaves can be bothersome to look at, it’s not true that they harm the plant in any way. Plants don’t regress if you keep dead leaves on them. They shed old leaves on their own; leaving old leaves on are in no way detrimental to the plant’s health.
Palms have to be groomed every season.
Palm trees may be tropical plants but they’re a lot sturdier than other plants. They don’t need constant attention like other tropical plants. As a tree, it has sturdier fibres that allow it to withstand harsher climate conditions. You don’t have to make a fuss over your palm trees.
Top Cleaning and Maintenance Tips
Not sure where to start? Here are some things to remember when you’re planning to trim your palm tree. Keep these in mind for a smooth and safe DIY job.
1. Determine If It’s The Right Time
Unnecessarily trimming your palm tree can be harmful to your plant. But it can also be harmful to you if you’re risking to climb a couple of feet high just to remove a leaf. It’s important to know when trimming is crucial and when it’s optional.
In the case of palm trees, only trim them under the following circumstances:
- If the palm tree is a potential fire hazard
- If the palm tree is blocking the path to driveways or sidewalks
- If the palm tree is bearing fruit or seeds and you want to remove it
- If the palm tree poses problems during storm season
- If the palm tree encroaches on your neighbour’s property
2. Prepare Your Tools
Maintaining your palm tree is not as simple as bringing some garden shears outside. Make sure you have the right equipment to get the job done properly. Consider the size of the tree when choosing the tool you’re using. Keep tools sharp to make your pruning easier.
A hand saw is the most ideal power tool for removing larger fronds on the tree. You can use a serrated knife or a handsaw, but they’re only adequate for smaller fronds on shorter trees. If you’re not sure which equipment to use for your pruning DIY, get in touch with arborists brisbane homeowners trust to learn more about the best equipment for tree trimming.
3. Cut The Fronds
It’s advisable for beginners and non-professionals to have someone with you while you maintain your palm tree. Working in pairs makes the job safer since you have someone helping you spot problems in your palm tree. Don’t forget to wear safety gear before approaching the tree.
If you see any fruits or flowers, feel free to remove them if you want thicker growth. The presence of fruits and flowers take energy from the tree, and can affect how your palm tree grows new leaves over the season.
4. Hire A Professional
At the end of the day, hiring a professional is the best way to maintain and clean your palm tree. At Aussie Tree Solutions, we have over 40 years of professional experience maintaining palm trees. You don’t have to worry about preparing the right equipment or getting new gear. We go into every job knowing what to do as professional arborists Brisbane homeowners trust.
Need To Get Your Tree Trimmed?
Get expert advice and service on all things tree management. Whether it’s removing tree stumps or maintaining your landscaping trees, we’re here to lend you a hand. Call now for an obligation-free palm tree cleaning and maintenance quote.
*All tree work should be done in accordance to local council regulations. Before conducting any tree work please contact either your local council or tree specialists for the latest regulations. Aussie Tree Solutions are professional tree removal, pruning and maintenance experts. For any questions relating these services, please call Aussie Tree Solutions on 07 3351 1722.