Gardening: Less is better when pruning palms

This is an example of the proper silhouettes for palms

June 15, 2023

The recent amount of palm pruning around the island has left many residents dismayed and infuriated at the disregard for proper healthy pruning techniques.

The iconic silhouettes of coconut palms are a symbol of South Florida; their beauty and stature is never questioned. Why then do landscapers feel compelled to prune them into ugly “feather dusters” every spring?

Removing dead brown fronds of coconut palms is fine, and this is necessary to prevent injuries if the fronds were to fall on unsuspecting passers-by. But if you picture your palm silhouette as the face of a clock, nothing below the 9 o'clock-to-3 o'clock line should be removed.

Feather duster pruning, as seen here, is a very damaging to palms.

Removing many of the healthy fronds, which is done in an effort to minimize the need for more frequent pruning, is devastatingly bad for these trees.

Palm fronds are the major source of nutrients, containing essential potassium often missing in the soil. They are the trees’ energy factories. Reducing the palm’s canopy reduces its ability to photosynthesize and makes it more susceptible to disease, especially if pruned incorrectly. Fronds also provide habitat for native migratory birds and animals.

Our sabal palms are Florida’s state tree and are among our most wind-resistant plants. It is fine to remove their dead fronds hanging below the 9-to-3 line. But removing healthy fronds weakens the trunks and makes them more susceptible to damaging winds and storms, it causes irrevocable damage and inevitably stunts the growth of the palms.

Yet every spring we are subjected to the incessant drone of chainsaws cutting down the fronds of these beautiful trees, leaving a silhouette of feather dusters along our avenues and beaches. Golf courses are considerable offenders and golfers often complain to the contractors that they are removing too many fronds, destroying the health and beauty of the plants as well as the necessary shade they provide. Sadly, they are always ignored.

Additionally, if you hire a tree service to prune, don’t allow them to climb palms with tree spikes. These also cause permanent damage to the trunks. Remember: In pruning, less is always better!

-Kim Frisbie

Original article on the Palm Beach Daily News is HERE.