The Importance of Palm Tree Trimming in Santa Ana, CA

The Importance of Palm Tree Trimming in Santa Ana, CA

August 22, 2018

One of the biggest reasons why people love having palm trees in their yard is that they don’t require much in the way of maintenance. That’s not to say, however, that they require no maintenance at all—pruning will be necessary sometimes to ensure a healthy tree and to prevent any safety hazards from arising.

Here is some information you should know about palm tree trimming in Santa Ana, CA.

How often you need to prune your palm tree

If you start to notice palm fronds on the tree that have either turned brown or are completely dried up and dead, it’s time for you to prune the tree. These brown fronds are not the sign of an unhealthy tree—it’s just part of the tree’s life cycle. New fronds grow every year, and old fronds die. As such, you should cut off these old, dead fronds once or twice a year. You don’t need to get any more in-depth with the pruning process than just removing the old fronds—over-trimming can be bad for the health of the tree.

Occasionally we have people ask us what will happen if they don’t prune their palm trees. After all, there are palm trees in the wild that do not get pruned on a regular basis. But keep in mind that any palm trees that are not properly taken care of can prove dangerous. If the fronds don’t get pruned off when they die, they will start to fall off on their own, which could result in injuries or accidents for people or objects underneath.

In addition, old and dead palm fronds can be a fire hazard if they are left on the tree. Plus, they are simply unattractive, and will distract from the work you’ve put into your property.

Trim properly and avoid over-trimming

You can trim palm trees by yourself if you have the right tools to do so and are familiar with the necessary techniques. You’ll need long-handled, sharp pruning sheers or saws, and should remove the frond as close to the base as possible. Smaller palm trees are just fine to handle by yourself, but if you have larger trees on your property, you should work with a professional for your own safety.

Be careful not to over-trim your trees if you take the job on yourself. It can be tempting to trim back even farther, with the expectation that it will save you some time and effort later. However, if you remove green fronds, this will damage the tree, weakening its health and making it more susceptible to pests. Over-trimmed trees are also unattractive, so it can hurt your property’s curb appeal and aesthetic.

Our team is happy to assist you whenever you’re in need of palm tree trimming. For more information about palm tree trimming in Santa Ana, CA and why it’s important to stay on top of that process as a homeowner with any palm trees on your land, contact the experts at ArborWest today.

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