Trimming the Palms

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Today, the palm trees in the backyard of The Bungalow required trimming. All the hanging, dead and unhealthy fronds needed to be removed and, as always at this time of year, there were a lot of fronds that fit that description. So, as in years past, I called on the highly capable team from Tom’s Thumb Nursery to help me out.

Since becoming the caregiver to seven beautiful, and lofty, Mexican fan palms, I’ve learned a lot about the care and maintenance of them.

For example, palm trees need a full, circular canopy of healthy, green fronds to continue to grow and defend against pests. Trimming away any of the pretty green fronds is not a good idea. Doing so creates a thin and narrow “hurricane cut” that's not good for the health or look of the trees - despite the myth that doing so makes them grow more quickly and protects them during major wind storms. Oddly enough, the opposite is true. Palms are, by nature, designed to bend with the breezes. The bending is actually good for them.

I also learned that if not routinely trimmed, palm trees can pose a significant fire risk. Once the palm fronds die and dry out, they can catch fire quickly. Blowing embers from nearby fires (even from a small fire or barbecue pit) can send sparks from palm fronds to nearby homes. And, believe it or not, palm trees that are not properly pruned will often explode once they catch fire.

Thus, trimming the palms in the backyard of The Bungalow is not a maintenance issue I ignore or delay. Once I see dry, droopy fronds, I call in the experts to help me out. Luckily, in Galveston we have some really good ones.