Bismarck palm - shoots / seed pods

[GeorgeP]

I am a new owner of a mature Bismarck Palm. There are cattail-looking shoots that have started to grow, which I understand are characteristic of the "male" tree.  Can these be pruned off, or will doing so hurt the tree? Thanks

[Merlyn]

@GeorgePgenerally speaking it's better to avoid cutting any live tissue.  Any cut into live tissue is just an opportunity for a fungus or bacterial infections.  A lot of people cut off female seed pods, either to avoid having 1000s of seedlings underneath, or to theoretically not have the plant waste energy growing seeds that won't be used.  I do that on Pindos and Queens, mostly to avoid the seed mess.  On a male palm there's not a lot of energy being used to grow pollen, so unless there's a compelling reason to cut it off...just leave it. 

[Darold Petty]

If you don't follow Merlyn's good advice, then be sure to coat all the exposed, living tissue at the base of the spadix with a heavy dusting of powdered sulfur.

[GeorgeP]

On 7/14/2023 at 6:05 PM, Merlyn said:

@GeorgePgenerally speaking it's better to avoid cutting any live tissue.  Any cut into live tissue is just an opportunity for a fungus or bacterial infections.  A lot of people cut off female seed pods, either to avoid having 1000s of seedlings underneath, or to theoretically not have the plant waste energy growing seeds that won't be used.  I do that on Pindos and Queens, mostly to avoid the seed mess.  On a male palm there's not a lot of energy being used to grow pollen, so unless there's a compelling reason to cut it off...just leave it. 

Thanks so much  for the advice and explanation!  I will leave them as is.

[GeorgeP]

On 7/14/2023 at 6:12 PM, Darold Petty said:

If you don't follow Merlyn's good advice, then be sure to coat all the exposed, living tissue at the base of the spadix with a heavy dusting of powdered sulfur.

Much appreciated!