If you live in Florida, you are likely constantly surrounded by gorgeous leafy palm trees every day. However, once you become a home or property owner, you may start wondering how to trim palm trees in Florida. Palm trees have become a symbol of Florida and its fabulous warm climate, but without proper care and maintenance, they can succumb to problems that affect their growth, overall appearance and health. Keep reading to learn the basics of palm tree trimming and palm tree care outdoors.
The Basics of Palm Tree Trimming
When attempting any tree pruning, the first thing to know is what type of tree you have. The varietal of the palm tree(s) on your property will tell you what amount of light it prefers to flourish. If you have a type of palm tree that loves to sunbathe in a shady nook, you’ll end up with a tree that has a thick trunk and stretched-out leaves. It is also essential to know what temperature range your specific species of palm tree prefers. In Florida, the temperature tends to drop in the evenings, so if you add new palm trees, you may want to consider varieties that can withstand cooler temperatures.
The next step will be physically trimming the palm tree leaves. Unlike other trees, palm trees are very robust and can tolerate trimming at just about any time of the year. However, most professional tree trimmers would say that spring is the best time to trim. Floridians should try to time it for the end of spring or early summer before it gets too hot. This will give your palm trees the best chance to recover.
It is important not to be too overzealous with your palm tree trimming. This could severely injure or even kill your palm tree. Before you attempt to trim your palm, look at your tree and gauge what needs to be removed. Your palm needs a full canopy to be healthy. Otherwise, it will be too thin and leave it susceptible to damage and disease.
Once you’ve finished trimming your palm tree, throw away any fronds, flowers, fruit, or seeds that might’ve fallen while you were trimming. Once the tree trimmings have been thrown away, leave your palm alone for a year and make a note in your calendar for the same time next year to trim your tree again.
When to Hire Palm Tree Trimming Services
As mentioned above, palm trees are pretty resilient, so you don’t need to be a professional arborist to trim your palms and keep them healthy. However, there are specific circumstances where you may want to consider bringing in professionals.
If you’re nervous or worried about harming your palms, don’t be shy about asking for help. No job is too small for professional tree trimmers or landscapers, and they have the latest tools and experience to keep your palms looking their best. The other main reason to contact a specialist is if you are doing removal work. If there’s been a major storm or hurricane, you’ll likely need to have large limbs or portions of your tree that will need removal. This will require operating a chainsaw, and it’s much safer and more efficient to hire someone who knows what they’re doing.
Healthy, luscious palm trees are a significant feature of living in Florida. If you are a Florida homeowner with palms on your property, you want to work with tree specialists. They can keep your palm trees looking stunning for the whole family to enjoy. Contact Cutters Edge today if you are looking for skilled and friendly arborists to keep your palms in perfect shape.
