Jump to content
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT LOGGING IN ×
  • WELCOME GUEST

    It looks as if you are viewing PalmTalk as an unregistered Guest.

    Please consider registering so as to take better advantage of our vast knowledge base and friendly community.  By registering you will gain access to many features - among them are our powerful Search feature, the ability to Private Message other Users, and be able to post and/or answer questions from all over the world. It is completely free, no “catches,” and you will have complete control over how you wish to use this site.

    PalmTalk is sponsored by the International Palm Society. - an organization dedicated to learning everything about and enjoying palm trees (and their companion plants) while conserving endangered palm species and habitat worldwide. Please take the time to know us all better and register.

    guest Renda04.jpg

Would my Phoenix palm hate me?


NickJames

Recommended Posts

Some of you who follow me know I have a P. Sylvestris (that’s what it was tagged as, though I know some on here stated it is a hybrid Phoenix) that was installed by my builder. It is the only palm my builder installed, and the only piece of their landscaping package that I kept! 

It has grown very rapidly compared to other Phoenix species I’ve owned in the past. 

I never would have planted it here but it was simply too large to move and I’m too prideful to let someone else do it.

It is at a point now where it is rubbing against the house quite a lot, obstructing a window, etc. 

I NEVER cut living tissue but in this case I’m 20% considering it. How much would it hate me if I trimmed the circled area with sterile instruments? I probably wouldn’t do until spring if I decide to do it. 

582BA990-B831-4E86-AC0C-DF6C54E42A43.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Since Phoenix palms hold so many fronds, removing some living ones is rarely a setback unless you go much above the 9 o’clock/3 o’clock position. I think you’ll be okay removing the fronds in the blue circle area. I might not say that about most other genus though. 

  • Like 1

Jim in Los Altos, CA  SF Bay Area 37.34N- 122.13W- 190' above sea level

zone 10a/9b

sunset zone 16

300+ palms, 90+ species in the ground

Las Palmas Design

Facebook Page

Las Palmas Design & Associates

Elegant Homes and Gardens

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Agree with Jim...it'll be fine.  I've occasionally been brutal on my Canary while waiting for it to get overhead.  I have kids that I don't need impaling themselves!

  • Like 1

Ben Rogers

On the border of Concord & Clayton in the East Bay hills - Elev 387 ft 37.95 °N, 121.94 °W

My back yard weather station: http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/hdfForecast?query=37.954%2C-121.945&sp=KCACONCO37

Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 minutes ago, Jim in Los Altos said:

Since Phoenix palms hold so many fronds, removing some living ones is rarely a setback unless you go much above the 9 o’clock/3 o’clock position. I think you’ll be okay removing the fronds in the blue circle area. I might not say that about most other genus though. 

Thanks! It’s been in the ground here since June 2019 and hasn’t lost any fronds. 
 

This is a photo from the day they planted it. A storm came through and knocked over the stupid live oak. The Phoenix palm didn’t miss a beat!

EAB8C80F-E47B-4DFF-A66F-049C1ABF6F5D.jpeg

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Ben in Norcal said:

Agree with Jim...it'll be fine.  I've occasionally been brutal on my Canary while waiting for it to get overhead.  I have kids that I don't need impaling themselves!

At my last home, I had a very tall one that needed a ladder and pole saw to trim. It basically never grew (I think it had an issue but then I moved...). I had a brown frond I cut fall and puncture me in two places. Not fun!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

@NickJames Phoenix are tougher than, multiple similes and metaphors.

If all you want to do it remove the lowest rank or ranks of leaves, do it.

It is a bit close to the house, but, well, forgive me, for I have sinned and sinned and sinned etc.

  • Like 4

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nick - like most Phoenix palms, their trunks are so beautiful, the more you keep them tightened up, the prettier your palm will look. So please do get those lower fronds trimmed off and if possible post an "after" pic so we can all admire the work you did!

BTW....spacing of plant material has always been a pet peeve of mine. It's like people don't realize that these things actually grow and get bigger!

A sawzall is the chosen tool. I like the M12 12-Volt Lithium-Ion HACKZALL Cordless Reciprocating Saw Kit with (1) 1.5Ah Batteries, Charger & Tool Bag myself....get some 12" pruning blades for your Cabbage Palms,etc.  and some 12" wood cutting (finer tooth) blades for that palm.

And wear your PPG! ;)

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looks like it has CIDP blood more than sylvestris in the leaflets, definitely not a sylvestris.  Trunk isnt thick like a CIDP but then again it may have been in a container which will cause a thinner trunk.  One day it will be someone elses trimming problem, OUCH!  Trim away!

Formerly in Gilbert AZ, zone 9a/9b. Now in Palmetto, Florida Zone 9b/10a??

 

Tom Blank

Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 hours ago, NickJames said:

At my last home, I had a very tall one that needed a ladder and pole saw to trim. It basically never grew (I think it had an issue but then I moved...). I had a brown frond I cut fall and puncture me in two places. Not fun!

I edited my sylvestris hybrid when after many injuries trimming a palm with a hundred(!) leaves it started to occur to me that I would be UNDER it and the leaves might fall on me!  I like the look of a silver green sylvestris, but not on my property.  My only phoeix sp. is now a rupicola triple.  bendy thorns and 2' trunk in 10 years.

Formerly in Gilbert AZ, zone 9a/9b. Now in Palmetto, Florida Zone 9b/10a??

 

Tom Blank

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I try not to cut living tissue too, but in some cases it is pretty much unavoidable.  I have three Sylvesters with about 1 foot less trunk than yours, i.e. mine are not quite really "trunking" yet.  I cut off the older fronds when they start drooping and getting dead leaflets, and I fertilize a bit extra to compensate for removing the nutrients.  In my case it's mostly so I can get to the weeds underneath without getting impaled.  You could also cut off the ends of fronds that are scraping up the house, if you wanted to keep more of the canopy.  It might look weird, it might not...  :D  Personally I'd cut off the ones with a lot of dying leaflets anyway, just for cosmetic reasons.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now



  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...