Question
Hello Darlene: ("Paradise" meaning Florida..LOL). Sorry, had to get that in, having lived all my life in Col's., Ohio. I live in a large condo bldg. and out at the elevator area is large enough for 5 huge plants and a seating area. Undfer cover from the elements. 2 of these plants are Huge Palm Plants. Which have become "huger" since I was asked to take care of them months ago.

Being in Paradise, our palm plants don't have to be taken in during winter. My care of them evidentally has been remarkable, only watering them once a week, and of course talking to them. My question is, they have gotten so mammouth and full and tall, like wildfire, isn't there a way to Prune them wihtout hurting them and affecting them too much?

One 6' tall; the other is 7' tall; but so full and big in circumference, too. Healthy, perfectly green. They are touching and growing against the walls, and can't move them away from the wall too much anymore.

At what spots do they get pruned? Without ruining them.

Thank you, Darlene, for your help.

Paul Adolph

Answer
Paul,

I am in northern IN and jealous! As for the palms, you must have a real green thumb. Start with heavy duty pruners and cut one outer frond off at a time. The innermost fronds are the newest and the outer ones are ther oldest. Cutting the outer ones off one at a time will reduce the size and get to younger fronds. They grow kind of like a celery plant. Just go around it and remove one at a time. Cut one off each side as you go, not all off one side.  Prune them at the base of the frond. Good luck.

Darlene