This is a universal problem,be it in California, Florida, Washington or British Columbia, There are almost zero landscapers or arborists that know or even care to learn how to prune a palm. Although nurseries and palm fanciers may deliberately create the cross, as Paul Nabonnand did early in the 20th century, these rare trees more often arise as accidental hybrids among seedlings planted where their parents (a Queen Palm, Syagrus romanzoffiana, and a Pindo Palm, Butia capitata) occur near one another. Will give both a try. The main reason homeowners skin their palm trees for one simple reason, and simply the aesthetic of their home, paired with all the wonderful health benefits for the palm tree. I'd say we are in a similar weather area although we are on valley floor. Flowers/Fruits: It produces small pink flowers that grow on branched inflorescence. A name created from a combination the parent genera, Butia and Syagrus. Generally speaking, you're not supposed to prune any palm like that. Fact sheet: Mule palm. Wait to prune until you see new growth. Call us today at 239-283-1329. The Mule Palm is a rare hybrid cross between a Butia capitata and Syagrus romanzoffiana. There is quite possibly something in the soil in that spot. Check that your ladder, step stool or cherry picker is stable and that any climbing equipment you are using is secure. I tried the water hose, and nothing much seemed to happen. At suggestion of several palm specialists, I removed much of the lower, older fronds upon installing. Common Names: Mule Palm, Butia Queen Cross, Hybrid One looks healthy and is growing loads of leaves, the other looks, "I live surrounded by different types and spices of palms. They are excellent at surviving drought and thriving in the aftermath. Definitely not as cold hardy as their Pindo parent. Thanks for the education! farm & garden. Low maintenance and fuss free, palm trees have become a landscaping staple that actually does better the less they are pruned. I'v ehad mine for a year and when I fertilized with the camila fertilizer they really greened up but are starting to yellow a little thought it was magnesium but I dosed with that first thing and didn't notice a difference. Experts recommend that you wait until spring to prune your palm tree. Our experts are standing by to help you design and install the perfect selection of palms for your space. Let me know if you have any questions. We also sell over 100 types of other palm trees. I fertilized with a camellia fertilizer and they looked great for about 3-4 months. Many people who do not have palm planting experience often do not water the palm as they are installing it, they just fill dirt around it and then water afterwords which is incorrect. They will often draw up a landscape plan for you for free, if you buy the plants from them. More about me. They can be planted virtually next to the pool since their roots are fibrous and will not damage any concrete or plumbing. You can post now and register later. Look for palm flowers and fruit stalks which use up energy and slow the growth of the tree. You can have this "diamond cut" done by a pro to get the best results. I'm not a fan of the ficus here at all (unless it's a real genuine ficus). In addition, many of the fronds have brown, curled, dried tips, and all of the fronds in general look droopy, pale, yellowish, and just lame. I wish I could move it though! Palme, both < Latin palma, palm of the hand.] Delivery fees outside a 30-mile radius will be calculated at checkout. Absolutely. For example, you replaced the lights. Copyright 2018 MulePalmTrees.com - All Rights Reserved. A more normal rain pattern has seemed to have taken care of that issue and the symptom is only visible on older fronds. As far as moving it, that isn't an option unfortunately. As most palm trees only produce seed pods once per year, there is only really the need to have your palm trimmed as it is flowering and before it seeds. Fruit stalks and flowers should be removed as soon as they are visible. The pollination process tends to be tedious as the small flowers needed for reproduction reside on the plants spikes. Tree-trimming is dangerous. What makes the Triangle Palm so conducive to first time palm planters is that it grows extremely well whether indoors or outdoors. You do not need to prune self-cleaning palms such as King palms, Kentia palms, Jubaea palms or Chamadoreas. As far as freeze damage: do Mule Palms normally get this? In the Pacific NW, we are educating nurseries and landscapers here all the time apparently a never ending task but always done with love of palms in mind. Always use extreme care be aware of your surroundings and possible hazards, including weak limbs, the risk of falling, and nearby power lines. Thanks Jim. Answer: Queen palms are hardy to about 20 degrees, so they likely have gotten through the freeze in your area. I made sure to give them more water and was working with a horticulturalist. Now, throw in the reflection of sun and heat from the pool onto the trees and surrounding concrete and it's a guaranteed death trap. Bismarck Palm The Bismarck Palm is the a beautiful large palm originating in Madagascar. Chlorisis due to magnesium deficiency starts with older leaves, not the case here. Palms need many green fronds to produce a steady food supply so that the plant can grow. Sawing and cutting sends small pieces of debris flying. Ensure the tree is not being bent, punctured or otherwise damaged by the climbing equipment you are using. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. We generally begin pruning Palms beginning June and lasting until September depending on the species and rate of maturation. You shouldn't cut any green fronds off palms unless they're getting in your way, but some palms are more tolerant of others due to speed of growth. This article was co-authored by Maggie Moran. I read that doing so channels that carbohydrate energy into the fronds and trunk instead of the inflorescence; is this true? Yellow, brown or droopy leaves could mean: The tree isn't getting enough water; The soil is short on key nutrients like nitrogen or magnesium; Pesky palm tree weevils, spider mites, aphids or some other insect got a hold of your tree; $2,300. As far as the cold, I have a small mule that was frosted good(28F) and it had an opening spear. it laughed at the frost. Trimming should be done one to two times a year and only once fronds have turned brown. Mule Palm is a fairly rapidly growing palm and thrives in full sun and partial shade. Make sure to clean all tools before you use them. Leaves are pinnate, or feather-like, about 5-10 ft long, with 80-150 leaflets. If it is only necessary to trim a self-cleaning palm because of potential safety hazards. In the rare event that a Mule Palm produces seeds, they will not be able to produce new growth. This is an easy, low-maintenance plant that does well with a good quality palm fertilizer. Large clippers or pruning sheers can be used to remove fronds slightly larger than 1 inch in diameter. Williams. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. As Jim says it could include a manganese deficiency, which can also occur with a high soil pH. You can see that I used 3 circles to make the design. It produces small pink flowers that grow on branched inflorescence. This palm is rare and expensive. Both of our mules, I think, show a strong resemblance to their butia mothers in their fronds, one more so than the other, and maybe that in part is why ours haven't had a yellowing tendancy during the winter months. Experts recommend that you wait until spring to prune your palm tree. The palm is sterile, hence its nickname the `Mule palm` , and all palms must be produced by painstaking hand pollination. The trees grow well in coastal areas and is salt water tolerate. Some experts recommend avoiding all palm tree pruning, but most suggest you avoid cutting too much or too often. Again, thanks for all the feedback so far. I also think its a mineral deficiency, probably chlorosis. The mule palm is one of the most beautiful of all the frost-hardy pinnate-leaved palms. I've treated client's palms with this condition, sometimes in extremely grave shape, and brought them back. First planted in yard exactly three years ago (field grown). Zone 9b (formerly listed as Zone 9a); Sunset 14. Since it takes a great deal of effort to produce this hybrid, Mule Palm may cost more than typical palms available for landscaping in Mobile. And here are the reasons why: Seed pods create a mess. This article received 31 testimonials and 87% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Going back to the yellow condition however, I wonder if your mules have a stronger connection to their queen fathers and that's partially what explains the yellowness at this time of year. Funny you should mention this, because I was wondering the exact same thing! Large Palm Trees for Sale. I know they're messy but they're not much messier than ficus. Not to mention, since the pool itself was just north of the area where the trees were planted the sun reflected off the water and onto the trees. Wear safety glasses and protective gloves, as well as heavy pants and a shirt with long sleeves. Also, don't cut green fronds if you're not transplanting. Even if the palm in question was under some other stresses, upper 20's would still, IMO, not be nearly cold enough to cause any significant damage to a mule palm. Mature Height: 15 -30'. no image. ", http://www.florida-palm-trees.com/palm-tree-potassium-deficiency/, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/tools-trimming-palm-tree-46075.html, http://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/gardens/planting-and-maintenance/cleaning-and-storing-garden-tools, http://baker.ifas.ufl.edu/Horticulture/documents/DisinfectingPruningTools.pdf, http://www.angieslist.com/articles/how-trim-palm-tree.htm, http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/01/29/palm-trees-florida-extreme-pruning-peril/5010539/, To remove potential fire hazards, especially near buildings or homes, To increase visibility and safety near driveways or sidewalks, To prevent damage to buildings or homes during high winds. Remove green fronds only if they hang at an angle below a line that is 90 degrees, or parallel. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. When I bought the tree, there were very sparse instructions on care and feeding. Quickly growing up to thirty feet high, Mule Palm trees have the appearance of a Coconut Palm tree while being extremely cold hardy. It is important to wait until the fronds turn completely brown before removing them, as the palm is still getting nutrients from it until the very end. The Mule Palm, Butia Queen Cross, Pindo Palm, Butia x Syagrus. Planted in Nassau County Extension Demonstration Garden, by kathywarner or -hire a professional who is knowledgable in design (landscape architect) or landscape designer who can lay out a plan for you for a fee or perhaps a design/install firm. All these things can hurt your experience with cold. As for the installation, I was there. The Mule Palm is a cross between a Queen Palm and a Pindo Palm, making it both elegant and hardy. I suspect that Erics construction debris hypothesis might be correct as only one palm is effected. You can clean off dirt and rust with a wire-bristle brush, for example. Your article put me in the right track with easy to understand with the step by step instructions. (But it sure is beautiful.). I wanted a formal look and planted seventeen Tiny Tower 'Monshel' Italian Cypress trees all around the pool. My two palms are not very healthy after this past winter one looks like its dead. Resembling a Coconut Palm, they are well sought out for cold climates as they can thrive in areas where the Coconut Palm cannot. I am in Atascadero, CA, our winter lows this year have dipped into the upper 20's occasionally, but mostly right at freezing, just for the night, and then always warming up to at least the 50's during the day. They should be given ample space to not only grow, but also to have viewing room, as they may get wide. These will cost you more $ in the long run. Decorate the Landscape With Versatile Agave, Washingtonia Robusta palm dieing? That's very important. And are the spikes the way to go, or should I use a granular surface broadcast? Trimming My Mule, Barefoot Hoof Trimming the Easy Way Becky's Homestead 535K subscribers 33K views 4 years ago I show you how I do barefoot hoof trimming on my mule. Cold hardy to USDA zone 8b and above or to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Think about cutting back a palm tree if you notice dead or dying fronds. Have to say your mules in the first photo look like the majority of the queens in my area right now. Those dead fronds may be somewhat unattractive, but they will help protect the palm from summers heat and winters cold. I used a bag of small white stones from Home Depot, to make the outline. Its rarity and useful size make it a treasure for warm climate gardens, bringing coconut-like lushness to areas where the frost-tender true coconut (Cocos nucifera) would not prosper. I emailed Don Hodel and sent him photos. I agree entirely. Common names: The Mule Palm Tree is also known as Butia Queen Cross, Pindo Palm, Butia x Syagrus. I would say that these mules arent as deep green as mine, perhaps soil treatment wouldnt hurt the "good" one. At 8'-15' tall, this palm tree is hardier than most and also slower growing. It's not uncommon in some CA soils. The Mule Palms have lush dark green leaflets that appear to be shiny in the sun and a light grey colored trunk or sometimes a purple colored trunk that becomes smooth as it matures with age. Look for someone with experience trimming palm trees. Mule Palms are one of the easiest palms to care for. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Trim-a-Palm-Tree-Step-1-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Trim-a-Palm-Tree-Step-1-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b6\/Trim-a-Palm-Tree-Step-1-Version-6.jpg\/aid1466740-v4-728px-Trim-a-Palm-Tree-Step-1-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"