Sylvester palm diamond cutting and varnish sealer

[Maximum]

Hey palm people 👋 

I read some other posts on here with people asking if it’s ok to paint or spray palm tree trunks with a varnish or a sealant. I notice the opinions in the posts vary but it seems like most people agree varnished palm trunks look unnatural. Still, I like the look. Actually, I like the look A LOT. If it’s safe, effective and won’t cause rot or any other issues I’d diamond cut and varnish every Sylvester palm I could 🤩 But I don’t want to do it if it’s damaging to palms. I did a bunch of research and found when diamond cutting a Sylvester palm it’s best to use a battery powered multi tool with a titanium oscillating flush cutting blade opposed to a machete to get that perfect, clean diamond cut look. Still, some say diamond cutting will attract weevils and bring about the demise of your Sylvester palm. I hope the cuts wouldn’t attract weevils??? With further research I found a varnish online for sale that’s pretty expensive but it’s the only one I can find. It’s supposed to be made for palms and nontoxic and the package makes it sound perfectly safe. (And might it even help prevent weevils if you apply a varnish after trimming??) The varnish is called “Endurant Palm Colorant”. Their website mentions each application lasts 1 year and it even says it “protects” palm trunks 🤔 Any and all opinions welcome, please! Any opinions on weevils, diamond cutting, and/or varnish fully appreciated!!! 

[DonPalm]

I also like the stained and sealant look.  I didn't put the stain on right after the boot cut.  I thought my palms looked nice and fresh without any sealer.
But, after about a year, the boots turn brown. I noticed a few boots closer to the ground were splitting.  I do not have a sprinkler that wets the trunk.
I added about a 50/50 stain/sealer mix to my palms and I was very very satisfied with the look.  In my opinion, it gave them a new fresh look like when the boots were freshly cut.  I felt it also helped with boots splitting.
I can include pictures if you are interested.

[Maximum]

@DonPalm yes please attach some pics! I’d love to see what they look like. And what brand of stain and sealer did you use? 😁

[DonPalm]

From 2023-01-10.   Used Minwax from Home Depot.  This color is called Gunstock.  It gives a nice redish look, but not overkill.  I added minwax semi-gloss polyurethane. It gives it a little subtle shine.  I have been really pleased with the result.  I have done this about 3 times now without any  affects. 

I didn't think to take a before pic, but here is one from my security cam for comparison.  

 

I have had the Palms about 3 years now.  Absolutely LOVE them!

[DonPalm]

By the way, I got the idea from this video.  https://youtu.be/7Pk5De8xeEg

[Maximum]

That reddish color is spot on! 
Great job. Thanks for sharing 

Edited October 25, 2023 by Maximum

[byuind]

Are you guys brushing it on or are you using an aerosol?

[DonPalm]

I brushed it on.  So simple.  No need to worry about drips or spills!

[DonPalm]

16 hours ago, Maximum said:

That reddish color is spot on! 
Great job. Thanks for sharing 

You will not be disappointed.  Post a picture when they are done!

[DonPalm]

Thanks Max! Also, I think the diamond cut and the stain help the palm standout at night as well as the during the day.
Sorry for the hazy blurry look.  I was just using my cell phone.

[Maximum]

7 hours ago, DonPalm said:

Thanks Max! Also, I think the diamond cut and the stain help the palm standout at night as well as the during the day.
Sorry for the hazy blurry look.  I was just using my cell phone.

GORGEOUS!!! 🤩
Your sylvesters are the lust of every palm enthusiast. They look like a dream, well done! 

Edited October 29, 2023 by Maximum

[sonoranfans]

I would be more concerned at the long term effects on  the tree.  A palm tree trunk naturally breathes so it can be wetted and subsequently dry out.  With all the expansion and contraction of the trunk fiber during the different times of the year, I would expect holes to emerge in the varnish and this may allow a longer wet trunk tissue situation.  I would not recommend this in rainy florida as those continually wet conditions favor pathogens.  But you have a 3 year experiment there, maybe the tree will be fine.  Keep us updated since nobody seems to know how this varnishing will affect the tree.  .Perhaps on these sylvesters will shed in the future or a think coat might not affect the breathing of the trunk. I would certainly not try this with a royal palm which already has a nice smooth attractive trunk.

[DonPalm]

HI @sonoranfans!  I always enjoy reading your comments on this forum!  Thanks for taking the time to reply!
Adding the stain was a decision I put alot of time into.  I don't believe the stain soaks in very far since its only a temporary measure that wears off after 6-8+ months.
I also considered that the boots are essentially "dead" wood on the outside to help conceal moisture for the trunk.  Obviously as the palm gets older and taller, this would not be something I would continue.

I'm in "rainy" Louisiana! I would think the polyurethane\varnish would help prevent moisture and an overly wet trunk?  Thoughts?

I don't have any sprinklers. Only a buried soaker hose in the event there is no rain.  Being on the computer geek side, each palm has a wifi soil moisture sensor that I can check on my phone.  I also have a wifi digital rain collector, so I know exactly how much rain my yard gets each day.  Over the top? Probably, but computers are my passion with Palms now a close second!

[sonoranfans]

12 hours ago, DonPalm said:

HI @sonoranfans!  I always enjoy reading your comments on this forum!  Thanks for taking the time to reply!
Adding the stain was a decision I put alot of time into.  I don't believe the stain soaks in very far since its only a temporary measure that wears off after 6-8+ months.
I also considered that the boots are essentially "dead" wood on the outside to help conceal moisture for the trunk.  Obviously as the palm gets older and taller, this would not be something I would continue.

I'm in "rainy" Louisiana! I would think the polyurethane\varnish would help prevent moisture and an overly wet trunk?  Thoughts?

I don't have any sprinklers. Only a buried soaker hose in the event there is no rain.  Being on the computer geek side, each palm has a wifi soil moisture sensor that I can check on my phone.  I also have a wifi digital rain collector, so I know exactly how much rain my yard gets each day.  Over the top? Probably, but computers are my passion with Palms now a close second!

Don, just like a perforated plastic covering the ground once it does get wet drying will be very slow.  Initially I dont expect a problem and if you reapply perhaps its fine.  But applying sealers to trees never protects the tree as well as the natural healthy trunk surface.  As you said the remaining leafbases are dead so maybe this doent matter to the plants self defenses.  Were it a smooth trunk with live tissue, I would personally never do that to a prized palm tree.

[TonyFLPalm]

@DonPalm Thanks for the info and recommendation on products.  I decided to give this a try today and wanted to share my results.  Below are the pics from start to finish.  
 

I first cleaned each cut with a small wire brush, gently removing any dirt.  Then blew off any debris.  Next applied one coat of Gunstock Minwax.  Let that dry and then applied one coat of Minwax warm semi clear coat.  The tree looks absolutely amazing.  Purchased the Minwax at Lowes.

For those asking can this be done I’d say there are several companies in my area charging to do this.  As mentioned these are dead fawns, not the actual trunk of the tree.  Behind each one of these cuts is generally a layer of dirt or fiber protecting the trunk.    I’ve been to many resorts and restaurants in the area and this is common practice.  You can find videos on YouTube but they never mention what they are using.  There is also a company selling a product online to re-color the cuts but this technique I believe is superior.  The nursery where I purchased my Sylvester from also offers a painting service.

Good luck!

Edited April 7 by TonyFLPalm

[TonyFLPalm]

Night time photo

[Bkue]

Looks great but I have some serious concerns. Anyone have any long term result in a climate like Florida? 

[Scott W]

This actually looks pretty nice!  

I would think as long as you're just varnising the dead end of the petiole base and not sealing the entire trunk the tree would be fine.  

[DonPalm]

On 4/7/2024 at 8:30 PM, TonyFLPalm said:

Night time photo

OUTSTANDING!!  It makes quite the show piece in your yard!
 

[Beachside_garage]

On 10/25/2023 at 3:42 AM, DonPalm said:

From 2023-01-10.   Used Minwax from Home Depot.  This color is called Gunstock.  It gives a nice redish look, but not overkill.  I added minwax semi-gloss polyurethane. It gives it a little subtle shine.  I have been really pleased with the result.  I have done this about 3 times now without any  affects. 

I didn't think to take a before pic, but here is one from my security cam for comparison.  

 

I have had the Palms about 3 years now.  Absolutely LOVE them!

Hi Don, thanks for providing this information. I looked on Lowe’s website and there’s different types of Minwax oil base, waterbase, etc. what exactly did you use because your results are amazing.

[DonPalm]

On 8/10/2024 at 5:48 PM, Beachside_garage said:

Hi Don, thanks for providing this information. I looked on Lowe’s website and there’s different types of Minwax oil base, waterbase, etc. what exactly did you use because your results are amazing.

 

Minwax Gunstock Wood Finish Oil-Based Wood Stain Semi-Transparent
Fast-Drying Polyurethane Oil-based Clear Transparent Semi-gloss

I think it actually says "Interior", but doesn't make a difference!
Add 50/50 into another can/bucket.  Stir frequently when applying to your palms.
Post a picture if you try this!