The Time of Year to Prune a Queen Palm

Identification

• Queen palm is a moderately fast-growing palm tree with delicate evergreen foliage. Hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9b through 11, it normally grows to heights between 25 and 50 feet, with a canopy spread of 15 of 25 feet. Healthy-looking queen palms will have full, rounded crowns with green foliage all the way to the bottom of the crown. Once leaf color changes, it is time to think about pruning.

Pruning Requirements

• Queen palms are partially self-shedding, which means that once fronds die they may come off the tree of their own accord. However, palms can be very retentive as well so may need some help in removing their dead fronds. Be careful when pruning, as until leaves are dead they still serve a vital function on the tree. As leaves yellow, this is proof they are losing potassium because other leaves are using it. If you remove this yellowing leaf before it is completely dead, you take a vital nutrient away from the tree. Pruning off the fruit stalk will not damage the tree and actually promotes new frond growth. The dropped ripe fruit of queen palms can create messy areas in the landscape.

Pruning Time

• Since yellowing leaves still serve a purpose, you should never prune before leaves are completely brown. Doing so can cause the palm to decline, aborting new foliage or developing in a stunted manner. Since queen palm is partially self-shedding, the dead leaf may fall off on its own, or it may hang on the tree for months. Once it has completely flopped against the side of the trunk, however, it is dead; if it does not come off on its own, you can take it off. You can do this any time of year the palm needs a frond removed. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, removing dead fronds before hurricane season is a good idea.

Pruning Methods

• Prune fronds one at a time when they die, when possible. Use a pruning saw and a ladder, if necessary, to reach the frond, using assistance to hold the ladder. When your palms have grown too tall for it to be practical to prune it yourself, you should schedule routine maintenance on your palm by crews that possess the necessary equipment. Dead fronds do not pose a hazard to the palm; they are merely aesthetically displeasing, and can therefore be left on until scheduled pruning times.