Pruning: Maintaining Palm

Why pruning is done on palms? It is done to remove dead or dying fronds and fruiting clusters. It is usually done on yearly basis. As often as three to six months, coconuts are pruned in tropical climates.

When pruning, palm should treat nutrient deficiencies because pruning nutrient deficient palms could cause symptoms to appear in remaining foliage. Take note also that over pruning palms can cause slower growth and may attract more pests.

Palms Diseases and Pests

You probably have the idea that palms are also susceptible to infections by viruses, bacteria, and fungi, and to infestation by insects and other pests as well. Infectious agents and pests vary widely by region and country. However, worry no more because there are university extension services, consulting arborist, or Plant Health Care specialist familiar with palms in your area that may be able to provide a diagnosis and suggestions for treatment.

Mulching: Maintaining Palm

Did you know that organic mulches are beneficial to palms as they are to trees? Proper mulching is by applying 2 to 4 inches of organic mulch around a palm at a distance of 2 to 4 feet. Remember to keep mulch away from the trunk. Mulch can reduce the likelihood of damage from string trimmers or lawn mowers.

Maintaining Palm: Fertilizers

We all know that different trees nutritional requirements vary from other plants. For palms, there are specially formulated palm fertilizers that are available in the market. These fertilizers help prevent nutritional deficiencies. You should also know that improper fertilization can lead to problems such as magnesium deficiency (which leads to yellowing fronds), iron deficiency (which leads to yellowing young fronds, green mature fronds), manganese deficiency, particularly in alkaline soils (yellowed, frizzled young fronds), and zinc deficiency (small fronds).