[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by Happydaz

You should also know to hire a professional tree service. Any of these guys who drive around know little about what they are doing. You do not want someone trimming your palms if they do not sanitize their cutting tools. Some palms are diseased and if the tools are not sanitized after each use they can easily spread these diseases to your palm trees.

Happydaz -- you are right! However, beyond a "professional tree service" you should make sure that the person is a licensed arborist. Yes -- very important.

Please keep this in mind . . . a palm should never be pruned more than this: pretend you are the palm tree. Hold your arms out to either 9:15 or 3:45 (same thing) -- in other words, the letter 'T'. Fronds should never be trimmed above this level.

I've noticed that within the Villages common areas, the palms have been horribly abused. They are trimmed almost to the point of straight up. If you ever notice a palm that has an indentation in the trunk, that is the result of being trimmed in that almost straight up, too high manner. That kind of trimming ultimately weakens the tree and it usually will not hold up in a severe storm. They break in half at that indentation.