Villages, it's time to start trimming those palm trees!

[kcrazorbackfan]

Looking at the front page of the Daily Sun and from seeing all the palm fronds blown out of the trees today, it's time for The Villages to start trimming all of those damn dead fronds. They're unsightly, they're dangerous when they come flying out of the trees when it's windy and they harbor pests.

It's time to start trimming them.

[perrjojo]

Looking at the front page of the Daily Sun and from seeing all the palm fronds blown out of the trees today, it's time for The Villages to start trimming all of those damn dead fronds. They're unsightly, they're dangerous when they come flying out of the trees when it's windy and they harbor pests.

It's time to start trimming them.
I agree 100%

[jblum315]

Yes, a neighbors two palms have spread debris all over the neighborhood

[redwitch]

You shouldn't trim bearded palms -- the ones along main thoroughfares in TV. They are meant to be brown and blown off in high winds. Perfect trees for hurricane areas, don't you think?

[Mrs. Robinson]

You shouldn't trim bearded palms -- the ones along main thoroughfares in TV. They are meant to be brown and blown off in high winds. Perfect trees for hurricane areas, don't you think?

Do you mean the "Washingtonia" palm?
They are the palms that have a "skirt?"
If so, yes -- that is the so-called beauty of this particular palm, and is never trimmed.

[rubicon]

Three of my neighbors took out their Washingtonia because after every wind event they spent time too much time cleaning the debris

Too many palms in TV. I had three down to two when they go no more too much trouble and expense

[BoatRatKat]

I'm not sure who told me this (a realtor I think) and I don't know whether it's true or not but supposedly the first "Mama Morse" loved those palms because the dead frowns reminded her of hula skirts and because of her love for them they have kept with the tradition of never trimming them.

[Pearson14505]

I remember that as well BoatRaKat. She loved them that way.

[blueash]

And the majority of damage was done by falling Oaks, so I suppose you also think those need to be taken down as no real way to trim them and all that moss that came down. Worst area I saw for tree debris was the round-a-bout at Stillwater and BV which had almost no visible pavement at 7AM Monday, completely covered with Oak tree material.

The cost to continuously trim palms and the futility as the new fronds grow and die so rapidly far exceeds any expense that will be incurred in cleaning up the debris.

[er9027]

My goodness ! The Villages maintains the place VERY well... It looks beautiful ! After a disaster you surely don't have to cut down everything. Clean up the place, be thankful it wasn't worse. Move on.

[Arctic Fox]

Given the infrequency of really high winds in TV, strong enough to rip out a significant number of palm fronds, the annual cost of clearing them up is relatively low.

And if the winds are that strong, you shouldn't be out and about anyway.

[Villageswimmer]

And the majority of damage was done by falling Oaks, so I suppose you also think those need to be taken down as no real way to trim them and all that moss that came down. Worst area I saw for tree debris was the round-a-bout at Stillwater and BV which had almost no visible pavement at 7AM Monday, completely covered with Oak tree material.

The cost to continuously trim palms and the futility as the new fronds grow and die so rapidly far exceeds any expense that will be incurred in cleaning up the debris.


True. Washingtonian palms are not appropriate for our residential landscapes. Too tall. The Villages uses them in areas where they have plenty of space and look beautiful imho. They are considered "self pruning."

[Goober III]

Always good to hear from the experts.

[kcrazorbackfan]

Always good to hear from the experts.

Yeah, most of them look at anything and consider themselves an expert; any of you experts seen the serrated edges on those particular fronds? One those hit you just right and can/will cause serious damage. I had a neighbor tell me that he was walking his dog several weeks ago and one of those fronds fell in between the two of them; luckily neither one was hit.

[JoMar]

Why do people try to change this into a sterile community?

[coffeebean]

I remember that as well BoatRaKat. She loved them that way.

Well...... I have never liked the look of the dead fronds cascading down the trunk of the palm. After seeing the debris mess they have caused during the storm, they could be a liability. I agree with the OP.......time to start keeping them trimmed. I think those palms would look beautiful without all the dead fronds. It probably won't happen though.

[coffeebean]

Given the infrequency of really high winds in TV, strong enough to rip out a significant number of palm fronds, the annual cost of clearing them up is relatively low.

And if the winds are that strong, you shouldn't be out and about anyway.

Are the dead fronds from the bearded Palms very heavy? Can they cause damage if they were blown into a home or window? Just wondering how much of a liability they are in strong winds.

[champion6]

In about 2012-2013 I was in a meeting conducted by Jim Davis from the UF/IFAS Sumter County Extension. This comment about bearded palms came up. He said an estimate for the cost of removing the dead fronds was conducted - $1,000,000.

Who would pay for this?

Given the large size of TV, if you started at Rt 42 and worked your way to Rt 44, it would be time to return to 42 and start all over.

[skip0358]

If they Can't keep them cleaned up they should be removed. Every strong wind there's debris from them all over. Should be put on a trim cycle like everything else.

[Topspinmo]

IMO the Washingtonian palms are bout the ugliest seed pod trash palms of all the palms. I would have one in my yard. Even queen palm better than them. Why does the villages spend $$$$$$$$$ year cleaning them up? Same reason they replant flowers every three months. Like spending the amenities money. I sure the maintenance coats going up so that means amenities going up. But, at least the ladies think they are just w-o-n-d-e-r-f--u-l. And guess who the bosses are to please?

[Mrs. Robinson]

Three of my neighbors took out their Washingtonia because after every wind event they spent time too much time cleaning the debris

Too many palms in TV. I had three down to two when they go no more too much trouble and expense

I'm in total agreement with you!
Anyone who has been in Florida for any amount of time will probably agree with you, also.

We have no palms and never did -- never will.
Give me a shade tree any day!

[doran]

Trim.............................................. ..................