Most people do not realize that palms are a monocot, A monocot or monocotyledon, is a flowering plant that bears a single seed leaf. Why is this important you may ask? Unlike grasses that are also a monocot, trimming the top, or the apical meristem, can actually kill a palm. This is done by either a complete removal of the palm heart or by cutting the crown of the palm. This is not the only type of devastating trimming that is done to palms by tree trimmers and homeowners. "Hurricane Pruning" or the removal of most fronds leaving 1-3 fronds in the crown is an aesthetically unhealthy practice. Fronds are needed to help the palm photosynthesize and remain healthy, Fronds are also structurally important in helping with wind and maintaining a clean aesthetic.
When it comes to pruning, I highly recommend removing only the dead fronds, but I realize that the look that you may want is not always the best for the tree. When possible, cleaning out all dead fronds, flowers, and seeds or fruits is best. But shaping the crown should never be more than horizontal. By horizontal, I mean fronds that fall below nine and three when looking at a clock. This gives the palm a clean look while also maintaining a healthy and strong balance of fronds.
Not all palms are the same. Depending on the species, it may be better to just remove dead fronds and flowers/fruits. If you're not sure what is best for YOUR palms, contact us to help you out.
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