Why Poolside Palm Trees Aren't As Beautiful As They Seem
Posted on: 12 December 2022
There's something about the sight of a swimming pool surrounded by palm trees that just feels right. These two things go together, or so you thought until you became responsible for cleaning the pool. Maybe you've moved into a home that already featured palm trees in close proximity to the pool, or maybe a landscape gardener convinced you it would be a good idea. And now, maybe you're just sick of all the mess that the tree creates.
Fronds
Many palm trees are what's described as self-cleaning. Instead of needing their large fronds to be manually pruned, the tree sheds the brown, withered frond and it comes crashing to the ground, often unexpectedly. When the palm tree is next to a pool, the palm fronds might in fact splash down into the pool, where they'll float for a while before sinking to the bottom and creating a mess.
Seeds
In addition to the fronds, the tree's seed pods are constantly being dispersed. Seemingly all it takes is a light breeze and the tree scatters its seeds in the general area—and into your pool. These can float on the surface where they'll eventually get sucked into the pool's filtration system unless you're diligent about scooping them out. A palm tree next to a pool looks great, but the reality can be all too different. You essentially have two choices—tree removal, or ongoing maintenance of the palm.
Maintenance
What sort of ongoing maintenance is needed? You'll need certain equipment, namely a telescopic pruner, which is also called a pole saw. This is a serrated saw on an extendable arm, and you'll need to use it to remove dead fronds before they fall, and to sever seed pods from the tree. This involves a fair amount of effort, so whether this is a good option depends on how much time you want to invest and whether you enjoy yard work. But wouldn't it be easier to just give the tree a deep pruning, preventing its fronds and seeds from being shed while the tree regrows?
Removal
Excessive pruning of a palm will kill the tree. That being said, if you're not inclined to give the tree the periodic and strategic pruning it needs to make it suitable for its poolside location, tree removal is a valid option. Given the height of the tree, it's smart to call in the professionals, as the tree will need to be sectioned prior to removal.
Palm trees, with their entirely vertical structure and shallow root clumps, are easy enough to remove—which may be the easiest way to solve your problem.
Reach out to a tree removal service to learn more.
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