Why Are So Many Palm Trees in Arizona Trimmed? (Yuma: work, university)

[Bill-]

Originally Posted by Artliquide

Also, I don't think most people trim their palm trees every week. More like once per month, from what I've seen.

I can't imagine anyone gets them trimmed once a month. I get mine trimmed about twice a year.

[nitram]

There are no palms that are native to Arizona. All palms growing in AZ were imported from somewhere else before being grown here.

Washingtonia filifera California Fan palm, Petticoat Palm, American Cotton Palm, California Palm, Desert Fan Palm A large single-trunked, tall fan palm that loves the hot desert areas and tolerates temperatures to about 15° F or slightly colder. Not a good choice for the Coastal area, this species thrives in the desert. It is native to lower areas of Southern California and Northern Mexico. With age, its “petticoat” will fall off giving it a smooth woody trunk, much more stout than it’s sister, the W. robusta. 15° F

Washingtonia robusta Mexican fan palm, Washington Palm, Skyduster Palm A rather thin but very tall fan palm known for it’s speed of growth and tall trunks. Common in Southern California, the Mexican Fan Palm can be seen almost everywhere. It tolerates temperatures into the upper teens F. and is commonly seen in shopping centers, golf courses, etc. When younger, its petticoat of old leaf bases must be pruned manually for maximum beauty.

[kdog]

Originally Posted by nitram

[lots of good info skipped

Dude! You really know your stuff. Ok, please tell me what I need to know to winterize my Sago Palms. You've already verified that my Mexican Fans are probably ok.

Thank you.

[nitram]

More info please. Is it planted in the ground, and if so where is it planted, near the house, out in the open yard etc. Or is it a potted plant that can be moved at will.
Sago's usually can handle cold to 20 degrees once acclimated to the area.
If need be you'll have to cover it with burlap or frost blankets available at garden Centers.
I have one that sits in a pot under an north overhang that's done well for 20 years with no protection except from hot afternoon desert sun.

[kdog]

Originally Posted by nitram

More info please. Is it planted in the ground, and if so where is it planted, near the house, out in the open yard etc.

I have several, planted in raised planter beds in various locations in the backyard. They're out in the open, and far away from the house. I didn't find out until after we got them that they are sensitive to the cold. It probably gets into the teens a few nights during the winter.

I'll look into the frost blankets. Can I just throw them on the plant? Or would it be better to build a cage around the plant to hold the blanket?

Thanks a bunch for the advice.

[nitram]

Frost blankets work best. Yes you can throw them over the plants. But if it's windy or rainy you may want to secure them so they don't blow off. Also if the coverings get wet, they need to be oof of the plant(s) as wet coverings will freeze and stick to the plant and cause frost damage.
I've used chicken wire that is taller than the plants and tied the coverings over the plants to the wire where nothing touches the plants. That affords maximum protection. If it's very windy you can drive some rebar into the gound and tie the chicken wire to the rebar for support.
Where are you located City wise. Sagos are extremely sensitive to the extreme heat in the desert and tend to burn easily especially the newer fronds.

[kdog]

Hey, thanks for all the great info, Nitram. Chicken wire and rebar is a great idea. Great description.

I'm in Kingman. Those sagos will be in 100% baking sun, not much in the way of shade at all. Are there different varieties of sagos maybe? Our landscaper is usually pretty good. Although I think the sagos were my wife's idea, and of course we had no clue.

[nitram]

There's only one type of Sago and they are sun sensitive in the extreme heat. I'd watch for burning fronds in the hottest part of summer. If that happens then put some shade screen over them, something around a rated shade screen of 50% to 65% material.
Once they adapt to your area and mature a little more, in Kingman you probably would not have to worry so much except if it gets extreme cold like below 20 degrees.
Sagos are also slow growers, so be patient with them. I think they are one of the more beautiful palms for around the house.

[kdog]

Super. I'll keep an eye on them and watch for burning and do the sunshade deal if they do.

Really appreciate all the advice, Nitram.

[mortimer]

nitram stated:

> There are no palms that are native to Arizona.

There are no palms native to the Phoenix area, but Washingtonia filifera is native to Arizona and is "the only palm native to the contiguous United States West of San Antonio Texas"