Palm Tree Trimming in Honolulu, HI

Palm tree trimming in Honolulu is mostly about coconuts. A mature coconut palm keeps producing nuts and shedding fronds all year, and both drop from height onto roofs, cars, lanais and anyone below. The Aloha Arborist Association's coconut palm guidelines call for pruning at least twice a year in developed areas for exactly that reason. A proper trim removes the hazards, the nuts, the flower stalks and the brown fronds hanging below horizontal, and leaves the healthy green crown in place. The city does not trim palms on private property; the owner is responsible.

Why over-trimming hurts palms

A palm grows from a single bud at the top of the trunk, and its green fronds feed it. Cutting healthy fronds above horizontal, sometimes called a hurricane cut or pineapple cut, weakens the palm, slows growth and can leave a narrowing of the trunk. Fronds that touch a roof, wall or line are the exception and can come off. We avoid climbing spikes where practical, because repeated spike wounds can leave lasting structural defects.

Coconut rhinoceros beetle

Coconut rhinoceros beetle was first found in Hawaiʻi at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in December 2013, and it has since damaged thousands of coconut palms on Oʻahu, especially on the Leeward Coast and North Shore. Adults bore into the crown to feed on sap, damaged new fronds break and fall as they open, and if the growing point is hit, the palm can die. During a trim we look at the crown from close range, which is the best chance anyone gets to spot damage early. If we see it, we tell you and suggest calling the state's CRB response line at (808) 679-5244.

Where the fronds go

Beetles breed in decaying plant material, so palm fronds, trimmings, mulch and rotting palm stumps count as host material under state rules for Oʻahu. Moving that material is restricted, and it must be fully enclosed or covered with a secure lid in transport. When we haul trimmings, they go covered to an approved green waste site. If you keep fronds for your green cart, cut them to fit with the lid closed.

Other palms

Royal palms shed their own fronds but can drop heavy frond bases from a great height. Date palms carry sharp spines and need careful handling. Fan palms and clustering palms collect dead fronds that become a fire and pest problem. Each gets trimmed to its own habit.