Best time to trim
Routine annual pruning is usually done in summer, after the flower stalks have emerged. Trimming once a year is plenty for most palms.
Don't over-trim
- Remove dead, brown fronds and flower or seed stalks, but leave the green fronds. Cutting green fronds limits photosynthesis and weakens the palm.
- Never remove more than 25% of the living canopy in a season, and don't prune more than once per season.
- Palms that are trimmed too hard year after year get weak and can break in the wind, a real risk during monsoon storms.
Planting and feeding
- The best time to plant or transplant palms is May through July, when the soil is warm (above 65°F). Moving them in the cool season slows root growth.
- Feed palms twice a year, in spring and mid-summer, with a palm fertilizer, then water it in.
- Newly planted palms need extra water until they're established.
Hiring a palm trimmer
Tall palms need climbing gear or a lift. Ask about insurance and make sure the crew follows the 25% rule. Find tree and palm trimming pros near you.
Sources
- University of Arizona Extension: Arizona Landscape Palms and their Management (AZ2021)
- University of Arizona Extension: July Gardening Guide
Last checked Nov 5, 2026. Programs and rules change; confirm with the source before you act.