What is a 'Hurricane Cut' and why is it bad?

A 'Hurricane Cut' is removing all fronds except for a small tuft at the top (the 'pineapple' look). Many people think this reduces wind resistance, but it actually WEAKENS the palm. The fronds protect the 'heart' (bud) from wind damage. Over-pruning also starves the tree of nutrients right before storm season.

How do you prevent Lethal Bronzing Disease?

Lethal Bronzing (formerly Texas Phoenix Palm Decline) is spread by insects and dirty tools. We strictly sanitize our saws between EVERY tree. For high-value palms like Sylvesters or Date Palms, we offer preventative antibiotic injections (OTC) to boost immunity.

Do you use climbing spikes?

Never on live palms. Spikes leave permanent wounds in the trunk that cannot heal (palms are monocots, not true wood). These wounds allow bacteria and fungus to enter, often killing the tree. We use bucket trucks or ladders to access the canopy safely.

Florida Certified Pros

Healthy Palms.
Storm Ready.

We trim for health, not just looks. We strictly follow the "9-to-3" rule to prevent stress and prepare your Palms for Tampa's hurricane season without damaging them.

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The Dangers

Stop "Hurricane Cuts"

Over-pruning (removing green fronds above the horizontal line) is a myth. It does *not* make the tree safer in wind. In fact, it weakens the trunk, narrows the crown ("penciling"), and removes the tree's food source right when it needs energy to fight storms.

Lethal Bronzing Disease: This fatal bacterial infection is spreading in Tampa Bay. It is often transmitted by dirty chainsaws. We sanitize our tools between *every* tree to protect your investment.

Our Standards:

Sanitized Tools: Preventing cross-contamination of diseases.
No Spikes: Climbing spikes cause wounds that kill palms. We use ladders or lifts.
Nutrient Focus: We identify Magnesium and Potassium deficiencies common in sandy soil.

Professional arborist trimming a palm tree from a bucket truck

Bucket Truck Access. No Spikes.

Methods

Full Service Care

From Queen Palms to massive Canary Island Dates.

Corrective Trimming

Removal of dead (brown) fronds, seed pods, and loose boots. We leave green fronds intact to support the tree's health.

Trunk Skinning

For Washingtonia and Queen Palms. We shave off the rough "boots" (old leaf bases) to reveal the smooth, tropical trunk underneath. Improves aesthetics and removes pest habitat.

Seed Pod Removal

Palm berries make a mess of driveways and pools. We remove flower stalks early in the season before the heavy fruit develops.

Service Area

We maintain palms at residential homes, HOA communities, and commercial resorts across the Bay Area.

Tampa (South Tampa) St. Petersburg Clearwater Beach Brandon Palm Harbor Apollo Beach

Palm FAQ

How often should palms be trimmed?

Typically once per year. We recommend scheduling this in late spring or early summer (May/June) to remove dead winter fronds and flower stalks before hurricane season peaks.

Why are my Queen Palm leaves frizzy?

This is usually "Frizzle Top," caused by a Manganese deficiency in the soil. It's common in Tampa's sandy/alkaline soil. We can treat this with specialized fertilizer spikes or soil injections to restore green growth.

Does skinning hurt the palm?

If done correctly by a professional, no. We only remove the old leaf bases that have already detached from the living tissue. It does not harm the tree and eliminates hiding spots for palmetto bugs and rats.

Respect the Tropics.

Professional care for the palms that define your Florida landscape.

Call (855) 467-1131

Healthy Palms. Storm Ready.