Cutting off dying leaves

[Steve Mac]

Is there any truth to the rumour that leaving leaves on untill they are completely dead allows the plant to reclaim some nutrients or water?

Would it be the same for palms, ferns or other plants?

[DALION]

That is said to be true of all plants.

[Kim]

I have no idea if it's been scientifically studied and proven, but on very young plants especially, why do something nature doesn't do? I mean, you can't hurt the plant by leaving a fading leaf on, but it's possible you could reduce the plant's viability by removing it, so why take the chance? That's how I see it. So with young plants in pots, I never remove a leaf until it's "brown and down".

[Daryl]

Additionally, if you cut into living tissue (like when the leaf has gone yellow or brown but the petiole is still green), you increase the risk of introducing pathogens, and also can attract insects that like to bore etc...

Daryl

[Mandrew968]

Don't do it! Leave it natural

[Patrick]

Effects on palm pruning

Great article on this. He even goes into the history and outline of the subject.

The short answer is: leave them on until completely brown/ dead.

[MattyB]

For species that thrive in our climate I'll cut off yellowing lower fronds to tidy up, or fronds that are obstructing walkways. It seems to have no ill effect on the tree and we don't have a huge boring insect problem here in our area.

For more marginal species I wait until they are "brown and down".

Incidentally I cry out "brown and down" every morning right before I flush the toilet.

[DALION]

.

I wait until they are "brown and down".

Here in the innercity of Los Angeles that takes on a different meaning.

[MattyB]

Dang Leo, you're gonna get me in trouble.

[Rusty on Pine Is.]

Is there any truth to the rumour that leaving leaves on untill they are completely dead allows the plant to reclaim some nutrients or water?

Would it be the same for palms, ferns or other plants?

I am quoting your question because i think it benefits a palm to leave any functioning leaf on the plant, but.......

But the direct answer to your question is no, the plant cannot "reclaim some nutrients or water" from the leaf.

Leaves are, in essence, solar collectors that make the plant's food supply, photosynthate consisting mainly in carbohydrate.

They yellowing of aged leaves is not a function of the plant drawing the leaf's energies back to the tree........the process is due to a gate being closed between the palm and the leaf.....

.....when the tree makes new leaves, using stored photosynthate, it shunts resources from the older leaves...the plant has a fixed amount of stored energy, and it allocates those reserves to leaves that are most able to make food for the plant......this is the process that causes the older leaves to yellow, and is a function of tissue senescence.

As long as a leaf is green, it is producing food for the plant....when it is yellow, it's work is finished and the palm is redirecting resources to newer, fresher leaves.

Rusty

[Jeff Searle]

For species that thrive in our climate I'll cut off yellowing lower fronds to tidy up, or fronds that are obstructing walkways. It seems to have no ill effect on the tree and we don't have a huge boring insect problem here in our area.

For more marginal species I wait until they are "brown and down".

Incidentally I cry out "brown and down" every morning right before I flush the toilet.

You did not just say that....

[Joe palma]

He did.

Oh man Matty

[Steve Mac]

Thanks people, especially Rusty for the specific answer that I was after.

And Patrick for the artical link.

Edited April 23, 2012 by gtsteve

[DoomsDave]

gtsteve:

Ahem.

All jokes aside, the answer to your question is: it depends, on the circumstances.

If the palm is small, or marginal, I wait till brown and down, or at least brown.

If it's bigger, tougher, and that ugly leaf is makin' the ole lady all pissed, well, off it goes.

If your NOT SURE, wait, till brown and down.

(Also makes great kindling in your approaching winter Fireplace of Doom . . . .)

[pindo]

Hello

The best thing is look as acts the nature and learn from it ......

Regards

[Mandrew968]

For species that thrive in our climate I'll cut off yellowing lower fronds to tidy up, or fronds that are obstructing walkways. It seems to have no ill effect on the tree and we don't have a huge boring insect problem here in our area.

For more marginal species I wait until they are "brown and down".

Incidentally I cry out "brown and down" every morning right before I flush the toilet.

You did not just say that....

Yeah, that response was "brown and down". Maybe the Mod should flush it...

[Brad Mondel]

I've noticed that the palms in my garden left unpruned do better.

I've also noticed over pruned palms in my area go into decline. There trunks begin to become smaller and smaller and they eventually die over a long period of time.

I would leave the leaves on until they brown, I think the tree trunk absorbs nutrients from the leaf to form a thicker trunk. You can tell the leaves feed the trunk if you peel a green leaf base off, it damages the trunk and makes it stunted. But if you wait until it's brown, the trunk is properly formed.

I hope that makes since and I'm not saying that I'm right, but based on my experience this is my opinion.

Edited April 23, 2012 by ArchAngeL01