"Slicking" the sides of a Sabal Palm

[DustyM]

Hi, looking preferably for a video or instructions on how to trim the sides of a mature Sabal Palm.

Picture1 is what the sides of the trunk currently look like.

Picture2 is what I would like the sides of the trunk to look like.

Thanks.

[N8ALLRIGHT]

1 hour ago, DustyM said:

Hi, looking preferably for a video or instructions on how to trim the sides of a mature Sabal Palm.

Picture1 is what the sides of the trunk currently look like.

Picture2 is what I would like the sides of the trunk to look like.

Thanks.

I'm no help on the skinning ,but I like the boots on. Beautiful tree! 

[DustyM]

Thanks, I've got two in front of my house and the lowest "Boots" at ground level are starting to fall off so I'm looking to "Slick" the trees up about 3/4 to the top. I've seen it done. I've always trimmed the fronds myself but never this and don't want to hurt the trees by just cutting them off without knowing what I'm doing.

[Fusca]

11 hours ago, DustyM said:

Hi, looking preferably for a video or instructions on how to trim the sides of a mature Sabal Palm.

4 minutes ago, DustyM said:

I've always trimmed the fronds myself but never this and don't want to hurt the trees by just cutting them off without knowing what I'm doing.

 

I don't think you can hurt the palm as long as you don't create holes in the process.  That said I don't know the best technique.  Process was recently started on this Sabal mexicana on the left:

[ChrisA]

I would think the process would be the same as with a Washingtonia Palm. I found a video on YouTube but the tree trimmers used a chain saw to swipe the entire trunk. I would NOT recommend that method.  I would start at the bottom and grab each boot and pull down see if it’s either dry or rotted enough to tear each off. If not I’d use a hand saw, or linoleum knife to cut the base of the boots where they join the trunk. Continue up the trunk but stop when you get near to the top and the boots are not dried out and dead.  You mentioned going 3/4 this of the way up, that should be well below that point. After you’re done the trunk may still appear rough with fibers but they will break down and smooth-out as they weather.

[DustyM]

Thanks! Sounds like a plan. Yea do not think I would take a chain saw to it either 🙂 .  I will take your advice, look for the video, combine them and just try it by hand saw. Only the ones closest to the ground are loose. any a foot or higher up are not loose and will need to be cut off. 

[Looking Glass]

With this, I usually just let the process happen naturally.  The boots will fall off, sometimes quite suddenly, but it’s variable from palm to palm.  Then you’ll have a smooth, uniform trunk.  Before I owned the house here, the previous owners paid some tree trimmers to clean up the Chinese Fans…. a little too aggressively…. Now one of them has a substantial trunk defect that weakened the trunk, and palm trunks don’t heal like hardwood trees.  

[SeanK]

With Sabal, you'll start at the bottom and likely split the base into two. Next fold down each piece and cut with a keyhole saw.

I'd pick a cool, cloudy day.

[DustyM]

Great, Thanks!