How to Prune a Palm Tree

There is a common misconception about palm trees. Many people think that regular pruning will help the tree grow well, but that is not the case. As a low-maintenance and non-annoying plant, palm trees become part of the landscape and do better with less pruning. The palm tree belongs to the areca family (Arecaceae) or the palm family (Palmae), a species of plant that lives mainly in the tropics. Although famous for its branchless petioles and green compound leaves arranged in a fan shape, the more than 2000 species of palm provide a variety of both shapes and habitats. While palm trees don’t require much care, you still need to know when and how to prune to keep them healthy and in good shape.

Table of Contents

Assess the health of the tree

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Consider whether pruning is appropriate at this time. Although experts recommend that you avoid pruning your palm tree as much as possible, in some cases you still need to do it. Let’s start by determining if the transplant really needs pruning. And don’t forget that the less you have to prune the tree, the better. Prune trees only to:

Remove dead or dying leaves
avoid the risk of fire, especially near houses and structures
Increased visibility and safety near home entrances or sidewalks
prevent damage to buildings during strong winds
remove fruit, seeds and flowers
Usually, it’s best to wait until spring to prune your palm tree. Never prune just for the sake of aesthetics; otherwise, you may damage the tree.

Determine the health of the tree. Unless the palm tree poses a risk of harm to people and property, you should only prune when the tree has dead or torn leaves, or when the tree begins to flower or fruit.

Look for dead or dying leaves on the tree. The withered leaves are brownish, yellow or white and often wilted or drooped.
Observe potassium deficiency in plants. Potassium-deficient palm trees often have yellow spots on the oldest leaves. You should not prune a palm tree that is deficient in potassium, as this can cause the leaves to lose nutrients and turn yellow. If the palm tree has a potassium deficiency, apply potash to the tree and wait at least another year before pruning the tree. ^{[1] X Research Source}
Look for torn leaves that need to be removed before they rip apart and damage the plant.
Look for the flowers and fruit of the palm tree, which sucks up the plant’s nutrients and slows down its growth.
You do not need to prune the tree if it does not have dead or dead leaves, torn leaves, flowers or fruit.

Choose the right tool

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Choose a pruning tool. There are many pruning tools that you can use to prune palm trees. Consider the size of the tree to find the right tool. ^{[2] X Research Source} It is also important that tools are disinfected before pruning.

The serrated knife can be used to cut palm leaves less than 2.5 cm in diameter. Knives are also useful when you are removing flower stalks from plants. Large pruning shears or pruning shears can be used to cut leaves larger than 2.5 cm in diameter.
A hand saw or pruning saw will help you cut thicker, larger petioles on the tree. You can use a chainsaw to cut very thick and large petioles, but be very careful not to injure yourself or cut the stem.
Remember to clean all tools before pruning the tree. Sandy soil and tree sap can transmit soil-borne diseases. You should clean the soil and rust with a wire brush. ^{[3] X Source of Study} Disinfect tools with household cleaning solutions such as Lysp, 70% alcohol, bleach or antibacterial wipes.
You can sharpen your saw or cutlery with a whetstone, oilstone, or grinder table.

Choose a vehicle to climb. Palm trees can grow very tall. You need to choose a means of reaching the petioles based on the height of the tree. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

A ladder chair or a small ladder can be used to prune low trees.
The folding ladder can be used to trim palm trees up to 4.5 m tall.
Lifts for handling very tall palm trees.
Climbing equipment should only be used by professionals, and you should never use climbing shoes, as they can damage the trunk and leave the tree susceptible to disease.

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Equip protective gear. Garden gloves and safety goggles are essential when pruning palm trees. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Palm leaves often have very sharp spines along the leaf edges. Gloves will help you protect your hands.
Shreds will fly when you saw or cut the tree. You need to wear goggles to protect your eyes.

Hire a professional service. Palm trees can be very tall and large, plus you can be embarrassed with the spiky petioles. If you plan to prune a tall palm tree or are not familiar with the equipment, it is best to hire a professional.

Find someone with experience pruning palm trees.
Make sure tenants do not use protective equipment that harms the tree, such as climbing boots.

Remove dead or damaged leaves

Sterilize pruning tools. Pruning tools can cause disease to spread from tree to tree. You need to disinfect all tools before starting work. ^{[6] X Research Source}

Wipe off dirt or debris from tools.
Disinfect pruners by soaking in a solution of 1 part bleach diluted to 3 parts water.
Disassemble the saw blade and chain of the chainsaw and soak both the chain and the saw blade.
Soak the tool for 5 minutes.
Rinse tools with clean water and dry before use.

Prepare vehicles for climbing. Before pruning trees, you need to make sure that the vehicle used for climbing is sturdy and stable.

Double-check that the ladder, chair or lift is sturdy and that climbing equipment is safe.
Make sure the tree is not bent, punctured, or damaged by the climbing equipment you use. The palm tree may not heal if the trunk is damaged while you are pruning the tree.

Remove only dead and damaged leaves. Removal of healthy leaves deprives the plant of vital nutrients and can result in stunted growth, disease, and death.

Mature leaves are underneath the current year’s shoots. It is important that you leave at least two rows of mature leaves (or more).
Starting at the bottom foliage, look for dead, dead, or torn leaves.
Use a pruner to cut dead and torn leaves from the stem. Cut each leaf at least 5 cm from the stem. The stem can be damaged if you cut too closely.
Remove green leaves only when they droop at an angle of less than 90 degrees or lay parallel to the ground. Do not prune tall leaves above this horizontal line, as the palm tree can become weak if pruned too much. ^{[7] X Research Sources}
You should never cut the top of a palm tree. The top of the palm tree will not grow back and the tree will die.
You do not need to prune self-deciduous palm varieties such as King palms, Kentia palms, Jubaea palms or Chamadoreas. The leaves of these palm varieties will naturally drop when they die, and pruning is not necessary. Prune only self-deciduous palm trees if there is an unsafe risk and remove only dead leaves or the oldest leaves.

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Pull the loose petioles from the palm leaves.

Grasp the petiole with your fingers and pull it out gently. If the petiole doesn’t come off easily, leave it as is.

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Prune the flowers and fruit on the tree if your palm is a flowering palm variety. The flowers and fruits of a palm tree will take up energy and nutrients from the tree, attract pests and pose a danger to those walking underneath the tree.

Cut the fruit and stalks of the palm from the leaves or stems and pluck the flower buds with your hands.
Fruit stalks and palm flowers should be removed as soon as they appear.

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Dispose of palm leaves, petioles, and fruit properly. Throw the palm leaves in the organic trash. Palm leaves often have needle-like spines that can pierce garbage handlers.

Still wear gardening gloves when cleaning.
Pick up all the fruit, flowers, or seeds of the palm tree. Plant pests are often attracted to the fallen fruit and seeds. Fallen fruit also stains concrete and gives off an unpleasant odor, and seeds can germinate in unsuitable places.
Ask your waste disposal authority how and where to dispose of palm leaves.

Advice

If the top of the palm tree turns brown, this is a clear sign that the tree is dead or diseased.
If your palm tree is over 6 meters tall, call a professional for help.
Palm trees should not be prune more than once a year. If pruned excessively, palm trees can weaken, break, and die in inclement weather. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Warning

Always wear gardening gloves when pruning palm trees.
Use caution when pruning more than one palm at a time. If the first palm is sick, the second palm will become infected when you prune both trees with the same tool.
Do not pull loose leaves from the stem. You should always cut about 5 cm from the stem to avoid punching the trunk.
Do not use climbing shoes to climb palm trees. Nail boots can leave holes in the trunk and leave the tree susceptible to disease.
Pruning trees is dangerous work. You must be extremely careful – watch out for surrounding dangers and possible hazards, including weak branches, risks of falls and nearby power lines.

Things you need

Ladders, ladder seats or lifts
Trash can
Gardening gloves and goggles
Serrated knife, large pruning pliers or pruning saw
Disinfectant solution for disinfecting pruning tools

Steps