[rexxfan]

As a n00b from the north, pretty much the only trees I know how to deal with are maple trees and now I am confronted with palms. In particular palms that seem fond of having branches turn brown and fall over at random. Is this something that I could deal with myself (if I had a ladder and a saw, which I don't yet) or do I need a tree service of some sort? If the latter, any recommendations? My so-called all-in-one service company (with whom I have no major issues so far) does everything except trees. Here's a pic of the latest two branches to give up the ghost:

https://goo.gl/photos/AHms3Wa7GZK1ZBT88

Also, as to forum etiquette, would there have been a better section to post this to? Thank you kindly for any advice you can share.
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bc

[Boomer]

When we bought our house two years ago, I was rather enamored with the queen palms. I thought the fronds were lovely to see and I liked hearing the breeze whispering through them.

I schlepped 40 pound bags of fertilizer from tree to tree, twice a year, maybe even three times. I was a misguided Ohio girl who somehow had it in her head the fertilizer would keep those bottom fronds green.

Ohhhhh, how those queen palms grew and grew. I had learned that queen palms here are about a hundred miles too far north and were brought in to give us unsuspecting Midwesterners a dose of a postcard Florida. But ours were looking so good that I was beginning to succumb to hubris.

Then came reality. Those bottom fronds turning yellow are part of the queen's plan. And those fronds get farther out of reach and people have to arrive with chainsaws and ladders........and then I saw the SEEDPODS! Those have to come down, too. You will not believe how big they can get.

NOW, I am so over those trees. (And their days are looking more and more numbered.)

[DangeloInspections]

What you have is a queen palm, as Boomer stated. Of course, folks are quite opinionated about their palms......My opinion is just that, an opinion. I am NOT a Palm expert....

I believe that queen palms are one of the least expensive palms. This is why you see so many. Landscapers often plant them WAY too close to one's home and driveways. Pests, (read rats, squirrels and snakes) can sometimes get up into these palms. Squirrels can jump onto your roof and start sharpening their teeth the lead flashing of your vent pipes, thus leaving you with a hole that rain comes into your attic, etc. Not good.

Boomer is also correct about the seed pods. They could easily fall off and dent a roof or break a windshield.

The cheaper palms grow fast and high. Then you need to pay someone to trim them. If they are not trimmed correctly it can hurt the palm. Some (if not all) palms do not necessarily need trimming.....the fronds will have a "beard-like" look and eventually fall off. Animals can sometimes like this area to live in.

I personally like the slower growing palms, like the Pindo (Jelly) palm and the bismark palm. They grow slow and most of the time can be trimmed easily by yourself.

I have three Washingtonian Palms in front of my home. They were planted about 25 years ago. They are now too tall for me to do myself. I sold my 32 foot extension ladder. My tree guy trims them once or twice a year for around 20-25 bucks each.

I knew it was the right time to get rid of the 32' ladder and hire this out when a corn snake wrapped itself around the tree guy's arm when he was up there. He laughed and brought it down with him. If this happened to me I think I would have screamed like a girl, jumped off the ladder, broke my legs and would have had to give up doing inspections for awhile. Not a good thing. As a guy that does everything myself, this was hard for me to give up, but the snake convinced me it was the right thing to do.

Someday I might remove those three Washingtonians and replace it with a beautiful Bismark Palm. It's on my bucket list....

[Ecuadog]

Originally Posted by DangeloInspections

... My tree guy trims them once or twice a year for around 20-25 bucks each. ...

I really like your posts, Frank. They are always helpful and informative. Would you share the name and number of your tree guy? I have a tall Washintonian that needs some attention.

[rexxfan]

So then I gather from the very engaging and colorful stories that I'd be wise to find myself a tree guy then? If you know of a good one, please do share. I've got a number of trees on the property (only one palm thank goodness ;-) and having someone to look after them all probably makes sense.
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bc

[Villageswimmer]

Originally Posted by rexxfan

As a n00b from the north, pretty much the only trees I know how to deal with are maple trees and now I am confronted with palms. In particular palms that seem fond of having branches turn brown and fall over at random. Is this something that I could deal with myself (if I had a ladder and a saw, which I don't yet) or do I need a tree service of some sort? If the latter, any recommendations? My so-called all-in-one service company (with whom I have no major issues so far) does everything except trees. Here's a pic of the latest two branches to give up the ghost:

https://goo.gl/photos/AHms3Wa7GZK1ZBT88

Also, as to forum etiquette, would there have been a better section to post this to? Thank you kindly for any advice you can share.
--
bc

Just looking at your photo, the Palm could be fine. Bottom branches turn brown, die and often self prune. This is normal. You can prune the brown (only) branches off.

That said, it looks like a queen. It's still pretty small. If it were mine, I'd get rid of it now while it's still easy to do so. Queens have a lot of problems here. Just MHO. You could replace it with a palm that's happier here like a Sylvester or pindo.

[DangeloInspections]

Originally Posted by Ecuadog

I really like your posts, Frank. They are always helpful and informative. Would you share the name and number of your tree guy? I have a tall Washintonian that needs some attention.

His name is Chad Mako.....his number is 352-303-6181. He takes pride on being VERY knowledgeable about trees, etc..... I am not sure he will come to The Villages, as he lives south of here. While my wife thinks I live in The Villages because I am here every day....I actually live just a bit south of The Villages.....so I could not say for sure. I'm guessing that perhaps folks that are happy with their tree guy here will jump in and give good suggestions on who IS good.....Oh, and thank you for the kind words....I am always happy to help.

Frank

[raynan]

My husband bought a pole saw and trims the bottom fronds and pods on queen palms himself. Some on a 6ft ladder. When it gets to the point of going any higher than that, we'll call someone to do it. Not worth getting hurt.

[JoMar]

We use Abel Perez, A Greener Source. (352) 396-8579 Cell. Affiliated with Tomas Landscaping

[rde3036]

I had queen palms at my first house and they are a very pretty tree. The only problem is that they grow up to fifty feet in height which makes trimming an issue.

In the new house we've had Mule palms planted. These are a sterile hybrid of a Queen palm and a Pindo palm. They have fronds silmilar to a queen palm but have short trunks and only grow to 25-30 feet tall. I think the Mule palms look nicer than the Queens.

RE

[rexxfan]

Originally Posted by raynan

My husband bought a pole saw and trims the bottom fronds and pods on queen palms himself. Some on a 6ft ladder. When it gets to the point of going any higher than that, we'll call someone to do it. Not worth getting hurt.

Hm, a pole saw, sounds like a smart (and economical) solution. Thank you very much. I'll look into that. As we're just getting established here we've been hit with a bunch of big expenses all at once and I'd rather not have to deal with another one just now if I can avoid it.
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bc

[Ecuadog]

Originally Posted by DangeloInspections;1135***

His name is Chad Mako.....his number is 352-303-6181. He takes pride on being VERY knowledgeable about trees, etc..... I am not sure he will come to The Villages, as he lives south of here. While my wife thinks I live in The Villages because I am here every day....I actually live just a bit south of The Villages.....so I could not say for sure. I'm guessing that perhaps folks that are happy with their tree guy here will jump in and give good suggestions on who IS good.....Oh, and thank you for the kind words....I am always happy to help.

Frank

Thank you very much, Frank.

[leftyf]

I HAD 4 Queen palms about 40 feet tall. Impossible and too expensive to take care of. They were also expensive to get rid of. They are like the Magnolia tree, I love to see them on somebody else's lot.

[rexxfan]

Originally Posted by leftyf

I HAD 4 Queen palms about 40 feet tall. Impossible and too expensive to take care of. They were also expensive to get rid of. They are like the Magnolia tree, I love to see them on somebody else's lot.

Heh, I've got a magnolia on the other side of the driveway ;-)
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bc

[jebartle]

We trimmed all of our Palms TWO FEET below ground level... messy, high maintenance and the bugs love them.