Phoenix reclinata - safe to remove thorns?

[PixelsaurusRex]

My Phoenix reclinata is growing fast! Will the tree remain healthy if I clip the thorns off for safety?

[Merlyn]

Every cut into green tissue is an open wound, and therefore a risk of bacterial or fungal infection.  I'm not sure how to quantify that risk.  It looks like you are already pruning back the clustering trunks, so I'd guess it's no more additional risk than the pruning you are doing now. 

[Johnny Palmseed]

Seems like a lot of work. And it will be never ending. Maybe you should plant something different.

[BeyondTheGarden]

Devil's advocate here.  I know my experience is different, but I have trimmed potted roebelinii thorns off a few times and never observed adverse effects.  For potted palms I also always trim off brown frond tips right at the green side of the brown.  I really don't think it would be a problem unless you were doing it to a palm that already has some kind of infection or issue.  People over-prune palms all the time and to my knowledge, the only adverse effect is that it theoretically slows down growth.  But since thorns don't process much photosynthesis, I doubt it would be an issue at all.  

[96720]

Commercial dactylifera growers cut off the sharp leaflets so they can get in and work on the dates!! I don’t see any problem with it!!!

[PixelsaurusRex]

3 hours ago, Johnny Palmseed said:

Seems like a lot of work. And it will be never ending. Maybe you should plant something different.

A lot of work, yes, very true! But I love this tree! I knew I was signing up for perpetual maintenance when I added it.

1 hour ago, Jesse PNW said:

Devil's advocate here.  I know my experience is different, but I have trimmed potted roebelinii thorns off a few times and never observed adverse effects.  For potted palms I also always trim off brown frond tips right at the green side of the brown.  I really don't think it would be a problem unless you were doing it to a palm that already has some kind of infection or issue.  People over-prune palms all the time and to my knowledge, the only adverse effect is that it theoretically slows down growth.  But since thorns don't process much photosynthesis, I doubt it would be an issue at all.  

 

56 minutes ago, 96720 said:

Commercial dactylifera growers cut off the sharp leaflets so they can get in and work on the dates!! I don’t see any problem with it!!!

Thanks so much! That's great info. I'll get those thorns trimmed.

[Jim in Los Altos]

Won’t hurt the palm at all. I’ve been doing it for years on my reclinata and reclinata hybrid. They are very tall now so no more need to trim off the thorns.