Photo: Taken by Fanghong, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Broadleaf tree
Chusan palm: when and how to prune
Trachycarpus fortunei
Chusan palm is best pruned in April–September.
| Pruning months | April–September |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in April–August |
| Flowering | May–June |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Little |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Chusan palm: when to prune it?
Remove brown, dead leaves whenever you like, preferably not in the depths of winter.
What else to prune in those months? April · May · June · July · August · September
Chusan palm: how to prune it?
- Cut an old leaf off close to the trunk; leave the fibres, as they protect the trunk.
- Don’t cut off green, healthy leaves: the palm needs them, and they protect the heart.
- Never cut out the growing point in the heart: the palm will die, as it cannot form a new crown.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: April–September.
- Grows best when left alone. Only remove dead, diseased or awkward branches.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in April–August can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
- Pruning too much: it grows best when left alone.
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: For a young palm in a harsh winter, tie the leaves together and protect the heart from wet frost.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Chusan palm · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.