Few things are more frustrating than a messy front yard. In addition to disrupting your curb appeal, overgrown, messy landscaping can also harbor pests and make it look like you don't care about your property. Fortunately, tidying up your yard doesn't have to be difficult. I have spent years learning more about landscaping, and this blog is all about how to become a landscaping enthusiast. Check out these articles about fun topics like planting flowers, perfecting pruned trees, and decorating your yard with whimsical additions. After you know more about landscaping, your yard might become the talk of the town.
Palm trees are a great addition to most landscapes. With hearty species that can thrive in climates ranging from hot deserts to snowy plateaus, the palm is a simple and gorgeous way to brighten up your yard. And with a little regular care, you'll have a tree that grows undaunted for years to come. So, what is that regular care you should be giving yours? Here are three easy maintenance tips all year long.
Inspect the Palm
At least twice per year, inspect your palm trees to look for signs of potential trouble. Palms can be susceptible to pests like the palmetto weevil, caterpillars, and thrips. If left unchecked, infestations may damage the trunk, cause loss of flowering, wilt leaves, or turn fronds an unsightly color. While inspecting the tree, look for yellowing fronds, broken or damaged fronds, fungus, and rot.
Check Watering
While most palms need little extra watering, the situation can change. Young palms often need regular watering to help them become established. Check the depth of moist soil around a younger palm, ensuring that water is penetrating about 1 1/2 feet down. As the palm matures, you can often reduce watering to every 2 to 6 weeks depending on your climate. When the weather changes, check in on palms to see that they are getting enough water on a regular basis. If moisture isn't penetrating, temporarily increase watering.
Prune Annually
Palms generally don't need a lot of pruning, and they shouldn't be overpruned. Removing too many fronds—more than are being replaced within the same annual cycle—can rob the tree of vital nutrients. An annual or semi-annual service removes yellow and brown fronds, prevents date clusters from dropping fruit, and ensures the fronds don't become hazards. Removal of old fronds also helps avoid providing inviting homes for unwanted insects and rodents. Low palms can sometimes be carefully pruned by a knowledgeable tree owner, but tall palms usually warrant a professional pruner. Once it reaches a certain height, attempting to DIY your own pruning can be very dangerous. Professionals will often scale the tree with supports or use lifts to trim taller sections safely.
Do you need help with a new palm, a neglected tree, or a landscape you've recently purchased? Some companies, like Cloudy Sky Tree Service, know that a professional tree care company can help guide you in the proper maintenance of your species and provide the ideal pruning and watering schedules. Call a quality tree care provider in your area today.
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