Palm Trees 101
Palm trees are perfect for homeowners wanting to bring a touch of the tropics to their homes. Whether you are going for something grandiose or something smaller, these majestic trees evoke tropical beach vibes year-round. Not all trees are created equal, however. These beautiful trees require special attention to keep them strong and healthy. Before planting any palms, you should contact a local arborist or tree service company to get their expert advice on how to care for palm trees properly.
Varieties of Palm Trees
It would be quite the feat to list all of the types of palm trees, as there are over 2,500 different species in the world. However, the list below will provide you with some of the more popular varieties found in landscaping:
- Alexander Palm
- Bismarck Palm
- Canary Island Date Palm
- Chinese Fan Palm
- Christmas Palm
- European Fan Palm
- Foxtail Palm
- Indian Date Palm
- Mexican Fan Palm
- Paurotis Palm
- Pigmy Date Palm
- Queen Palm
- Sabal Palm
- Washington Palm
Planting Palm Trees
Once you have chosen your palm variety, you will need to decide when and where to plant it carefully. Young palms are susceptible to damage from extreme weather changes, so you should plant during the mildest time of year. This is where the help of an arborist is extremely beneficial. To have a palm tree to care for and maintain, it needs to be able to survive in the first place. It usually takes between two to four weeks for a new palm to get acclimated to your yard.
How to Care For Palm Trees
To ensure your palm stays green and healthy, follow this guide to keep it thriving.
Sunlight Needs For Palm Trees
There is no straight answer for the amount of sunlight a palm needs, as it can vary from species to species. Some do well in full, direct sunlight, while others require more shade to flourish. Many homeowners assume that all palm trees will thrive in the sun, thinking they are a tropical plant that comes from hot, sunny climates. However, palm fronds are delicate and can very easily burn if the tree gets too much full sun. Before planting your tree, make sure your landscaping will provide the correct amount of light required for the species of palm you have chosen.
Palm Tree Water Requirements
When a palm is new and freshly planted, it will require frequent watering – twice a week, at minimum, if not more, for the first few months. There should be enough water to penetrate at least a foot into the ground so it can reach the roots. If you are replanting the tree after it initially grew in a field or on a farm, it will need extra water to help the roots that got cut during the transplant process.
Once your palm is more established, the watering needs will vary just as the light needs do. Palms that originate from deserts will need watering only once a week, while other varieties might need as much as five times a week. Again, make sure you fully understand the requirements of the palm tree species you have chosen. Palms are very picky about their water requirements, so if you don’t get it right, especially early on, the chances of your palm will dwindle.
Soil Needed For Planting Palm Trees
As palms have a shallow root system, the topsoil is where they receive most of their nutrients from. They can adapt well to a range of soil types, but the most crucial factor is that the soil is adequately aerated and drains well. Palms will not thrive in soil that is compacted. On average, most palms prefer more acidic soils. Before you plant your palm, you may want to test your soil to check that it has the right pH balance to sustain your new palm. If you find that your palm is struggling, you may need to use fertilizer to get it the nutrients it needs.
Trimming and Pruning Your Palm Tree
Trimming and pruning palm trees is often a more delicate and even dangerous task than what other tree care sites will tell you. Most say that once the fronds turn brown and die that you can easily just trim them away if they haven’t fallen off already. However, even if a frond appears to be dead, it can be detrimental to the health of the tree to remove it if there is even the smallest bit of green left. Trimming techniques, if not done correctly, can also harm the tree. Pruning too close to the trunk, for example, can damage the tree and create “wounds” that make it easy for insects and disease to invade.
Unless you have the knowledge and expertise, pruning and trimming a palm tree should be left to an expert. They will have the proper tools and knowhow to care for your tree without doing any harm to the tree itself or your property. Falling fronds, depending on the size, are dangerous and can cause damage to your property if not removed safely.
With over 20 years of local experience, the team at PV Trimmers are experts at caring for and maintaining palm trees in the Phoenix area. Our highly skilled tree technicians take every precaution when it comes to trimming your palm trees to ensure both the health of the tree and the safety of your property. We even have certified arborists that can work with you to ensure you are choosing the right tree for your landscaping and continue to help you care for and maintain it after you plant it. For quality palm tree services you can count on, contact PV Trimmers to speak to one of our local experts today!