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Palm damage from over-pruning
Some arborists reported that coconut palms, and some other palms, with many lower fronds removed were damaged in the hurricane more than palms that were not pruned at all. This points to the importance of pruning palms appropriately. Removing too many fronds exposes the delicate bud to more wind and more potential damage.
 Pruning palms in this manner was found by some arborists to increase damage from hurricane force winds. It is best to remove only dead fronds, not green fronds (Photo Dr. Doug Caldwell). |
 Keep the green fronds on the palm. Palms look better, they are healthier, and appear to be more storm resistant. Removing coconuts is likely to reduce the potential for the palm to blow over. |
