Q: What is the best month to trim palm trees?

• <div>You&rsquo;ll want to have your palm trees trimmed during the spring, ideally in May, before hurricane season sets in, which generally takes place during the late summer. Palm trees grow fastest over the summer months. You&rsquo;ll also want to trim your palm trees when you notice:<ul><li>Brown fronds </li><li>Dry leaves</li><li>Flower pods</li><li>Fruit</li><li>Fronds overgrown in power lines</li><li>Frond encroaching upon your neighbor&rsquo;s home or yard </li><li>Visible damage from a storm</li></ul></div>

Q: What is not a good tree trimming technique?

• <div>Generally speaking, you&rsquo;ll want to avoid flush cuts, which are cuts made as extremely close to the trunk or main branch. These cuts can weaken your tree, lower its natural defense mechanisms, and even cause decay. You&rsquo;ll also want to avoid tree topping, which is the total removal of the leader and upper main branches of a tree. Most pros will advise against either of these methods, which is why hiring a pro is often the best choice when it comes to tree trimming.</div>

Question 1

How do I find a reputable tree surgeon?

Accepted Answer

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You can start your search for a reputable arborist online by looking for professionals who hold the proper licensing and are fully insured. Next, read through some online reviews to see what kind of service the expert brings to the table, and confirm that they don’t have a history of complaints with the Better Business Bureau. Finally, you can ask the professional for a list of references and then call them to ask questions about the service, professionalism, value, and more that the expert brings to the table.

Question 2

How damaged can a tree be before it’s considered a loss?

Accepted Answer

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Most experts recommend removing a tree that has sustained more than 25% loss in the limbs, trunk, or circumference of the bark. Doing an initial trimming of damaged and dangling branches, but then waiting a few days of monitoring to decide how much more you might need to cut can help you better assess the total damage to the tree. However, consulting a tree maintenance pro to make this determination the best course of action before removing a tree.

Question 3

How long does it take a dead tree to fall?

Accepted Answer

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It could be anywhere from weeks to years for a dead tree to fall. A dead tree falls based on its weight, how it leans, the state of its roots, the state of decay, and what local windstorms are like, among other factors. Since it’s hard to predict the fall’s timing, it’s important to cut down a dead tree quickly and avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Question 4

What is the best month to trim palm trees?

Accepted Answer

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You’ll want to have your palm trees trimmed during the spring, ideally in May, before hurricane season sets in, which generally takes place during the late summer. Palm trees grow fastest over the summer months. You’ll also want to trim your palm trees when you notice:

Brown fronds
Dry leaves
Flower pods
Fruit
Fronds overgrown in power lines
Frond encroaching upon your neighbor’s home or yard
Visible damage from a storm

Brown fronds
Dry leaves
Flower pods
Fruit
Fronds overgrown in power lines
Frond encroaching upon your neighbor’s home or yard
Visible damage from a storm

Question 5

What is not a good tree trimming technique?

Accepted Answer

•

Generally speaking, you’ll want to avoid flush cuts, which are cuts made as extremely close to the trunk or main branch. These cuts can weaken your tree, lower its natural defense mechanisms, and even cause decay. You’ll also want to avoid tree topping, which is the total removal of the leader and upper main branches of a tree.

Most pros will advise against either of these methods, which is why hiring a pro is often the best choice when it comes to tree trimming.