Nothing says fun in the sun like palm trees dotting the landscape. In the Coastal Bend region, the Texas sabal palm, or Mexican palmetto, dominates, with a height of up to 50 feet. Its blue-green, fan-shaped leaves form a thick crown that can grow to 25 feet across.
Brown skirts of dried, dead palm leaves characterize the look of a Texas sabal palm. These can be pruned for a fresher, greener look, but don't start cutting until the old fronds are completely brown. Never prune young fronds, as they provide nutrients to the entire plant.
Many gardening experts say it's best not to prune a palm at all, but, if you must, here are a few tips.
1. Hand pruners are best for smaller fronds. You'll need a sharp pruning saw for the larger ones. Treat your pruning tools with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide between pruning different palms to prevent spreading disease.
2,  Don't trim too close to the tree when removing a frond. Leave the remaining leaf base alone. The trunk will scar if you try to strip it off and could become an entry point for insects or disease.
3. Prune only as much of the old fronds as have been replaced by new fronds over a year's time. A palm produces a set number of fronds based on its size and maturity.
4. Never trim a palm's fronds in the summer! Brown fronds protect the trunk from summer sun burn.
Palms are a particularly hardy plant. They love hot weather and can survive severe drought conditions. They are slow-growing but require very little maintenance and pruning — perfect for the island lifestyle!