Returning to Olmos Park
This month, Canopy Tree Service revisited a high-rise apartment complex in Olmos Park, Texas, where the 2020 South-Central Texas freeze tragically killed four palm trees. Fortunately, three trees survived and were ready for routine pruning.
The Importance of Palm Tree Pruning
Routine pruning not only enhances the appearance of palm trees but, crucially, also makes urban environments safer for people.
Pest Control and Safety
If not periodically removed, dead fronds attract snakes, rats, and insects, providing them with attractive nesting spots. These pests view the dense fronds as a concealed and safe haven to build nests and hide from predators. Imagine the unpleasant surprise of encountering these critters while relaxing by the pool!
Unique Challenges: Location and Access
One big thing to think about when trimming palm trees is where they are planted. Sometimes, palm trees are in tight spots, which makes trimming them difficult. In this project, the palm trees were squeezed between the apartment building and the pool. This meant we couldn’t use a boom lift, a machine that lifts workers up high.
Boom Lifts vs. Climbing
Boom lifts are safer because they hold the trimmer in a harness and make falling less likely. But, they are big and don’t fit in small areas.
Climbing palm trees is hard work and can be dangerous, so many tree trimmers don’t like to do it. Our team is different! Our climbers are strong, careful, and ready for anything. Climbing lets them see the palm leaves up close, so they can trim them carefully and correctly.
Winter and Palm Trees: Keeping an Eye on the Weather
The Climate Prediction Center recently released its winter outlook, a crucial piece of information for palm tree owners given the tree’s sensitivity to cold temperatures. Thankfully, below-freezing temperatures are infrequent in the Greater San Antonio area, and the forecast suggests fewer cold fronts and a lower likelihood of frost or freezes this season.
Freeze Damage: When the Cold Hurts
Palm trees can usually handle a short freeze. They might get a little brown on their leaves, but they’ll be okay. But, if it stays cold for a long time, the damage can be worse.
- The leaves can turn brown and droop.
- The top of the trunk can get hurt.
- Sometimes, if the ground freezes, the roots can get damaged too.
Calling in an Expert: The Certified Arborist
Predicting a palm tree’s survival after a freeze is challenging. That’s why it’s crucial to request an assessment from a Certified Arborist after a prolonged cold period. Typically, the Arborist conducts an initial inspection followed by periodic health monitoring, and may recommend palm tree pruning.
Our Services
Besides trimming palm trees, we also clean up the top of the palm (the crown), thin out the leaves, make the crown smaller, and take away any dead or sick leaves. There are lots of reasons to trim palm trees, not just to keep people safe or to help them after a freeze!