Today we got to work at a really nice place in Wickenburg trimming California Fan Palms (Washingtonia filifera). I had trimmed these trees twice before with climbing spikes (that was 3 years ago and again 2 years ago). Last year they were not trimmed, so there were a lot of spent seed stalks and dead fronds hanging down on the trunk. The setting was beautiful and they are majestic trees. My favorite! I have two seedlings about three feet tall that I grew from seeds off these trees. Washingtonia fan palms readily hybridize, but I know the mother was a real Washingtonia filifera!
California Fan Palms take more cold than Mexican Fan Palms (Washingtonia robusta) before being damaged. They also send out their seed stalks later in the year. Most people want their palms trimmed after ALL the seed stalks are out but before the seeds mature. With Mexican Fan Palms, this is traditionally June 15 or later – in the Valley. For our area, a little later might be better! For California Fan Palms, July 15 is the traditional date and later is definitely better. We have had trees shoot a late stalk in November! But August and September are our busy months for trimming these palms.
The ANSI A300 Pruning Standards state that no live healthy fronds shall be removed above horizontal. This applies to ALL palm trees. So, when you see a tree with most of its fronds cut off – maybe only 3-5 sticking straight up “carrot-topped” you know that either the person doing the trimming didn’t know what they were doing, or the customer insisted. We do a lot of education with people in Wickenburg and I can say my customers are getting used to more beautiful looking trees!
California Fan Palms grow more slowly that Mexican Fan Palms – slow enough that a trim according to the standards will last a whole year. Perhaps a frond or two will die and drop down along the trunk, but very few. Mexican Fan Palms grow fast enough that at the end of a years cycle there will be numerous dead fronds whether they are “carrot-topped” or not. If you need your Mexican Fan Palm looking great all year, you need two trims!
Here are some pictures of our job today. We had an interesting time getting the lift into place. Try that with a bucket truck!
Our first two trees - Before...
During - if you think that looks fun, try it from climbing spikes!
After - this is how a nicely trimmed palm should look!
In the picture above, Shannon has one more seed stalk to take off on the pool side of the tree. We like to talk to the person on the ground for a second opinion on whether there are any more stalks or if any more fronds need to be taken off. The perspective makes a big difference!
The picture above also shows another palm species that grows well in our area (in front of the base of the lift) – Windmill Palm Trees (Trachycarpus fortunei). They are supposed to get up to 40ft tall, but I’ve never seen one over about 15ft. They withstand temperatures as low as 5 deg F! They are very nice in small groups and you won’t have to worry about them getting too tall to trim!
Check out the feet on the lift straddling the pool!
Finally - my turn to do some trimming!
I was enjoying photographing Shannon doing the trimming but he was nervous working above the clay-tile roof of the pumphouse. If you look at those things wrong they break! So, I got my turn doing some of the cutting. What is it like to be up in the bucket of the lift? Shannon enjoys working in it whenever I give him the chance. The lift sways a little bit, especially in a wind but I am very used to it now – I hardly notice. Here is what you would see looking down:
If you fell would you be able to hit the pool?
We had a lot of cleanup to do after all the fronds and stalks were on the ground! The pool man stopped by just as we were starting the job and we told him he might as well forget it! He said he would come back another day. We only had a couple fronds hit the pool, but quite a bit of sawdust floated in.
I usually don’t work on Saturdays, but tomorrow I have something interesting going on. I have been looking forward to it for quite a while. I will be giving a short class/demo on proper trimming techniques for a homeowners association. We cleaned up all the trees last winter and they need a little more work this year. They want to save some money so they are going to do all that they can by themselves. Anything that is too high – we’ll get the call. I want to explain some good techniques and I hope to be able to photograph them so I can post them for you to see too! Stay tuned…
We bought three washetonian filifera two years ago here in Florida, and were shown how to remove the dead fronds. We’ve done that every spring, but we’re not sure about further pruning. The trees are about 7 to 10 feet tall, and we have yet to see any flowers or fruit. I assume that will come when the trees are larger. Your explanations on pruning and pruning standards are a great help. The photos are a real eye opener, I had no idea the trees will get so tall. Thank you for sharing!!
Hi! Thank you for your comments! Flowers and fruit will follow after the trees mature – time depending on microclimate and genetics, but could be a while yet… Best to just take off the completely brown fronds (leaving any with green) as they die. Many people like the frond bases left on the trunk, many like it more smooth (looking somewhat like a coconut palm). If you want the smooth look, you need to cut around the trunk about every 1/2″ with a utility knife to remove the frond bases. It is a time-consuming and messy task! Don’t get too high (too close to the growing part of the trunk) or you may stunt the growth of the trunk in diameter… Best to be conservative on that. If you have any more questions, feel free to write!
Believe it or not, I have 2 california palm trees growing here in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The one in my front yard was planted 10 years ago and the trunk is close to 6 Ft.tall. I have in the past trimmed some fronds above horizontal but will take your advice and not cut them anymore. Currently there are about 2-3 fronds below horizontal and I will not trim them until they are completely brown. These 2 palms survived 0 degrees in the winter cold blast of February 2010. These palms are very cold hardy.
Joe, Thank you for that report! I knew that California Fan Palms are hardy, but 0 degrees is amazing! I am glad they made it through the cold snap! Your trees will be healthier by only trimming dead fronds. Fertilizer every couple months during the growing season will help them be even more robust – you may have trouble finding palm tree fertilizer in Albuquerque… maybe mailorder? Thanks again for writing!
Thanks for answering my post so quickly. I need to make one correction, and that it was the cold blast of 2011 not 2010. During that cold blast I lost a european fan palm, a pindo palm and a waggie trachycaprus forteuni. But I found a needle palm for the first time here in Albuquerque and planted it in april. I look forward to the needle palm keeping it’s greenry in winter, unlike my california fan palms.
Joe, Pindo Palms should be pretty hardy too, sorry you lost that one – it is one of my favorites too! It sounds like you have some very interesting plants on your property! Take care, Paul
Yes Paul, that cold blast last year was really bad. We didn’t make it out of freezing for 3 days. But of all the palms I mentioned, who would think that the California fan palms would survive those temps. They have to be the hardiest here in Albuquerque which is zone 7, I planted a mexican fan palm this spring, and I know that I’m taking a really big chance on it as it is not as hardy as the California. I grew that one from seed a few years back and it’s about 2 1/2 ft. tall now. I do love to experiment with different plants.
Joe, We see a lot of cold damage to Mexican Fan Palms here every few years – when temps get down into the mid-teens. You might be able to cover it for a while, but they grow pretty fast and it will soon outgrow any frost cloth! Maybe you could wrap the trunk with christmas lights.
I’ll do what i do with the californias. I tie up the fronds to protect the center one and cover. Maybe will have a pole shift on 12-21-2012 and we will turn into a Zone 11. LOL….
I’m actually hoping for global cooling – it’s too hot here in the summer for tree work and I would trade some frost sensitive plants for cooler summers!! 🙂
Hi
great info. I bought a washingtonia from a mexican farmer on side of road in texas where i live. It has survived a good 10 years without any fertiliser. It is a slow grower but is very healthy and hardy. Several years ago we had many days over 100 and it wwnt dormant but never had issues with existing fronds. When temps came down it started growing again. For first few years mulched around base in winter but havent done much since. I love it. Have bought a couple from stores since and have all died. Havent had any flowers etc. Cant wait till seeds to replant a few more. Have also trimmed healthy fronds but will stop. Was told to keep to about five to enlarge trunk base. Mine looks quite thick and stands about 6 ft tall. Thx for sharing. Look forward to more.
I really like California Fan Palms with big trunks! Sounds like yours are doing well. Thanks for the comments!