Butia Odorata Pruning

[nitsua0895]

I was searching for other posts about this and it seems most people prefer to not cut off fronds unless they are completely brown. On my Butia there are a couple of lower fronds that are brown except for the petiole and seem to be in the way of new fronds coming out.

What is the best thing to do in this situation? 

[The Silent Seed]

Personally - and that's just me - when my palms get ugly - they get trimmed - but I only cut the brown part, unless if most of the leaf is brown - then I cut it near the base of the leaf. Never any problem. 

[NorthFlpalmguy]

I'd trim it off at the base if mine looked like that.

[John Case]

Leave it on until it is brown to the base of the petiole. There are hardly enough leaves on it at this size to keep it growing......it needs all the ability it has to produce more. Trimming it just so it looks 'pretty' is not a good reason to trim it.

[Sabal Steve]

I agree with John, and if you cut live tissue, you are exposing the palm to greater risk of pathogens.  If you do decide to cut it, I would sterilize the blade.

[nitsua0895]

4 hours ago, John Case said:

Leave it on until it is brown to the base of the petiole. There are hardly enough leaves on it at this size to keep it growing......it needs all the ability it has to produce more. Trimming it just so it looks 'pretty' is not a good reason to trim it.

I made sure to sterilize the blade but went ahead and cut one off early today and after reading this advice I'm going to leave the other discolored frond on until it's completely brown. 

I also cut about 5 inches up on the petiole and away from the trunk so I hope there won't be much of a disease risk.

[nitsua0895]