Palm trees are a distinctive aspect of landscaping throughout Las Vegas, Henderson and surrounding areas. While palm trees are often better left to clean themselves because of their height, there are many cases in which trimming is needed in order to prevent hazards from a damaged tree. Palm trees will eventually shed off old or dead fronds (leaves), but it you would rather not wait or there is risk for damage, you will first need to safely access the top of the palm.

 

When To Trim A Palm Tree

 

Palm trees are low maintenance trees that often grow better and remain healthier when they are not regularly trimmed. Trimming a palm does not need to be done often, however there are reasons to consider trimming your tree.

You may need to trim your palm tree in order to:

  • Remove dead, dying or broken fronds
  • Remove potential fire hazards
  • Improve visibility
  • Prevent potential safety hazards or property damage in high winds
  • Remove fruit, seeds, or flowers

 

Trimming Palm Trees

 

Trimming a palm tree is best done with the help of a professional palm tree service company with the specialized equipment and experience needed to safely reach fronds. Fronds should be cut as close to the trunk as possible in order to avoid damage to the leaf base or trunk. In large palm trees, reaching these leaves requires more than just a typical palm saw.

To trim large palm trees over 15 feet tall, palm tree trimmers will need to either climb the tree or access the top using an aerial lift, both of which require experience. Attempting to climb a palm tree without the proper equipment or without adequate training can lead to serious injury. Likewise, using an aerial lift without proper knowledge of how to operate the safest place to position it can also cause injury, an accident, or damage.

Trained professionals may choose to use climbing spikes and other climbing gear including a harness and cables to climb to the top of tree and then carefully trim fronds. However, climbing spikes can cause permanent damage to the trunk of the tree or even spread disease if the tree is not climbed correctly. Trees showing signs of weakness or disease, especially, should not be trimmed using this method.

A bucket lift provides an alternative to trimming palms that will limit damage to the tree. A trained palm tree technician is lifted up to the height of the fronds from the lift and is positioned to safely trim fronds without damaging the trunk or risking injury to the trimmer.

 

Las Vegas Palm Tree Trimming

 

Choosing which method to use is best done through the help of a professional tree service company. Investing in professional palm tree trimming, like the high-quality service offered by Nevada Tree Service, will provide the safest and most effective ways to trim your Las Vegas palm trees. At Nevada Tree Service, our team is highly trained and knowledgeable about palm trees, how to work with them, and the most efficient methods to trim them.  We are thoroughly trained to identify potential problems or concerns and then provide the safest solution. Call us today at (702) 433-4700 for a free estimate.

 

Nevada Tree Service
2062 Falcon Ridge Street, Las Vegas, NV 89142
(702) 433-4700

Las Vegas has four main types of palm trees:

  1. Mexican Fan Palm – These palms are slender but can grow to over 75 feet tall.
  2. California Fan Palm – They have a larger diameter than the Mexican Fan Palm, but don’t grow quite as tall.
  3. Canary Date Palms–These palms don’t grow as tall, but do have large, bushy fronds.
  4. Date Palm–This type of palm has a trunk about 18 inches in diameter and grows to be approximately 60 feet tall.

You have to care for each type of tree a little differently.  With the Mexican Fan Palm, for example, that type of tree can handle more drastic pruning.  Generally, you’ll be okay if you prune from a 10 o’clock to a 2 o’clock position, but you do have to make sure you leave enough fronds to maintain the health of the tree.

California Fan Palms require a little extra caution because the fronds and seed pods grow larger and are heavier.  If you hire a tree service, they cost a little more to trim.

With Canary Date Palms, you have to prune them between early May and early June.  If you trim them earlier, they’ll grow new date stocks and make a mess of your yard.  If you trim them later than that, the fruit has already ripened and makes trimming more difficult.

The Date Palm is more sensitive to pruning.  Trim these palms too much, and you’ll harm the tree.

If all this sounds too complicated for you, remember you can always hire a professional tree service to do the care for you instead.

Las Vegas Palm Tree Care

Other General Palm Tree Care Tips

Besides those specific tips, here are some additional tips to keep in mind when caring for your own palms:

  1. Watering:  If you plant a new palm, make sure you use a 30-50% sand/soil mix.  Water it every day of the week also.  The tips of the fronds will turn brown if your palm isn’t getting enough water.  For an established palm, watering twice a month during the summer and once every six weeks during the colder season will suffice.
  2. Fertilizing:  Don’t fertilize a new tree for the first 3-4 months.  You could harm the tree more than anything else.
  3. Use Good Soil:  Canadian peat moss is one of the best soils for palm trees to grow in.  Remember, the cheaper the soil, the worse the results.  Don’t ever buy soil mixed with fertilizer.
  4. Pruning:  In most cases, fronds are shed naturally.  However, if you notice yellowing or browning fronds, remove them.  They take much-needed nutrients away from other parts of the tree.

Follow these tips, and you’ll be okay.  And remember, if you need palm tree removal or tree trimming done for you, you can always contact Nevada Tree Service at 702-433-4700.

Nevada Tree Service

2062 Falcon Ridge Street, Las Vegas, NV 89142

(702) 433-4700