Palm tree frond removal in San Antonio TX is a common practice in the maintenance and care of palm trees. It involves the careful removal of old or damaged fronds, also known as leaves, from the tree. At the McDonald’s off Military Dr. in southeast San Antonio, we aimed to enhance the health and look of the two palm trees pictured by removing their fronds this spring. As always, when Canopy Tree Service removes palm fronds there are usually a few wildlife surprises awaiting the crew.
Remove Dead, Yellowing, or Brown Palm Fronds
The first step in removing palm tree fronds begins with our team creating a safe work area around the trees. This ensures that both pedestrians and vehicles remain unaffected throughout the operation. This is not always easy. During dining hours at McDonalds busy diners cross the parking lot with their eyes focused on their phones. Often, they do not notice our directional signs. Fortunately, we have a crew member who stays on the ground to keep people safe.
With the area cordoned off, the trimmers ascend the trees, carefully selecting which fronds to prune. They look for fronds that are dead, yellowing, or brown. These fronds were promptly removed because the location was a high traffic area. Additionally, removing these palm fronds allows for better air circulation and sunlight penetration to the rest of the palm tree. So, cutting out the “brown beards” from the canopy benefits the tree and the local business.
Palm Fronds Can Instantly Kill a Pruner
It takes a special kind of experienced tree trimmer to climb palm trees. It can be quite nerve-wracking as we shall see. Those brown palm fronds are very attractive to wildlife, including rats, bats, and snakes, and stinging insects. Few will venture into this task. There is no simple retreat when faced with an enraged snake or a darting rat. Certified Arborist Lucas Rumancik said besides the unsettling encounters with wildlife, collapsing palm fronds can suffocate a worker.
“Our men know not to trim from underneath the palm fronds. Should the fronds around the tree trunk collapse suddenly, they may become trapped inside. Breathing can be difficult to impossible due to the weight of the fronds,” Rumancik explained. The CDC recommends that homeowners and businesses vet tree trimmers before hiring. Each year, untrained trimmers seeking a quick dollar lose their lives by suffocation.
A Chirping Sound came from behind a Palm Frond
While approaching a frond designated for removal during this job, one of our tree trimmers detected the sound of chirping. Comfortably nestled in the old fronds was a baby squirrel. He would have certainly fallen or jumped to his death upon hearing the sounds of saws and other removal equipment. Taking time to safely relocate the wildlife is all part of the job.
Fortunately, our crew encountered a friendly, baby squirrel that was very close to the age of independence. Typically, the squirrel would wait for its Mama at the base of the tree. Unfortunately, multiple stray dogs were present. The dogs and this very concrete, unban setting was inhospitable to the young squirrel’s survival for even a few hours. One of our trimmers assumed the responsibility of providing the squirrel with transitional care. Soon it will be released into a more suitable wildlife habitat.
