what is the proper way to trim a palm tree?

Answer 1

As I recall a University of Arizona Ag bulletin and then practiced as an Environmental Horticulturist specializing as an in-house Grounds Maintenance Department Head for a prestigious 500 bed hospital with extensive landscaping -- do not remove any more fronds than above the 7th whorl. Palms grow their fronds in a spiral. These spirals are whorls. Several whorls you will not see or be able to count accurately as they descend from the growing point at the very top and are packed tight. Never mind. Start counting downward where you can make sense out of pattern and you will be well into the ball park and the palm will still look presentable. I see so many of the so called professionally trimmed palms where the fronds have been removed too far above the rule above that the appearance is ridiculous if not sadly humorous. In actuality, there are only two reasons to remove the fronds. 1) when left on they present a drop situation during high winds that can be injurious and damaging to anything below. The fruiting bodies are most usually dropped and present the real hazard whereas the fronds themselves are attached very securely and to detach them requires a really strong wind force as in a hurricane. The fronds dry in the bent down position and become locked in. A frond skirt is a protective shield providing cooling for the trunk and a physical barrier like a suit of armor.

2) The other reason for removing the skirt is that so many really beautiful palms have been lost to fire. There are those demented individuals amongst us that for kicks, set fire to palm skirts and gain great pleasure and amusement from watching a one time pyrotechnic show. The destruction is permanent, destroying decades of growth and a valuable investment in beauty and stature.

Answer 2

The proper way to prune palm trees is minimally. Since they do not grow like deciduous trees in your landscape, they have different requirements for pruning. A good, short ,article on palm pruning is found at the link below.

Answer 3

If it is a tall one, get estimates and have someone else to do it. Its dangerous, dirty, and difficult with out the correct tools and experience. And when all is said and done you still have to clean up the fronds and hall them to the dump.