PALM TREE PRUNING ON THE GOLD COAST

Our qualified and experienced arborists are the experts when it comes to Palm tree pruning on the Gold Coast. We offer an extensive range of services covering all aspects of Palm management including planting, trimming, pruning, fertilisation and removal.

Residential and commercial property owners throughout the Gold Coast utilise our professional services to maintain the palms in their beautiful gardens and landscapes.

Common Palm Tree Species

A wide variety of Palm species flourish in the Gold Coast's sub-tropical climate. Many home owners find that once established, their palms require minimal maintenace, especially when planted in well-drained soils.

Some of the more popular species include:

• Alexander Palm
• Bangalow Palm
• Foxtail Palm
• Cuban Royal Palm
• Majestic Palm
• Cotton Palm
• Washingtonia Fan Palm
• Dwarf Date Palm
• Canary Island Date Palm
• Golden Cane Palm
• Ponytail Palm

All are self-cleaning, except Fan and Date Palms, which require regular palm frond removal and cleaning, which is quite difficult once the fronds are above 4m in height, and may need the services of an arborist.

There are a number of reasons why palm trees are pruned. This may involve removing the dead fronds that hang around the trunk, forming a "skirt":

• Removal of the "skirt" improves the palm's appearance
• Dead fronds become a haven for pests and vermin
• Dead fronds have hazardous spines and can fall at any time
• Dead/live fronds lower than 3m are hazardous in public walkways
• Dead/live fronds are removed when close to power lines

Palm Tree Pruning

The care and maintenace of not self-cleaning palms such as the Fan and Date varieties, is not a difficult task, however a cherry picker or EWP is often required, along with a certain amount of strength, care and skill.

There are some general rules to follow:

• Do not prune self-cleaning palms
• Do not remove fronds that are past the horizontal
• Do not use foot spikes or cleats when climbing palms
• Sterilise equipment after pruning each palm tree
• Never "lop" or "top" palms

Pruning Self-cleaing Palms - All trees rely on their foliage to generate food and energy. If green fronds are removed from a Palm tree, it's ability to photoynthesis is substantially reduced, which stresses the tree, sometimes to the point of death.

Removing green or non-dead fronds also results in wounds in the trunk which increases the risk of pest infestation or disease.

Removing Fronds Past the Horizontal - The excessive removal of new of green fronds that are growing above the horizontal severly weakens the palm, as the remaining fronds will not produce enough food for the tree to remain healthy.

When a palm's fronds are not producing sufficient food, the palm will tap into it's reserves stored in the trunk, which eventually leads to an unsightly narrowing of the trunk or death of the tree.

It is a common practice to excessively prune palms to reduce the frequency of pruning, however the economic benefits do not outweigh the risks of permanent damage or death.

Do Not Use Damaging Footwear - The use of climbing footwear such as spiked boots or cleats will severly damage the trunk leaving unsightly holes that will not heal, and become a point where pests and disease may enter.

The only instance the use of damaging footwear should be permitted, is when a palm tree is being removed.

The safest and most practival method of cleaning, maintaining and pruning tall palm trees is with the use of a cherry picker or EWP.

Sterilise Equipment - All pruning equipment should be completely sterilised between trees and jobs. Canary Island Date Palms suffer from the fatal disease Fusarium Wilt, with the disease often spread by the use of dirty or contaminated pruning equipment.

Never Lop Palms - Lopping or Topping is the term used when the top of a tree, palm or otherwise, is cut off. Palm trees (or any other trees) should never be lopped, as the palm will not continue to grow. The remaining trunk and stump eventually dries out and dies.

The cost of pruning palm trees on the Gold Coast varies, depending on a number of factors such as the tree's species, size, condition and access.

Please contact one of our certified arborists for an obligation free quotation.