How do I Control Naturalized Palm Tree Types in Central Florida?
- Naturalized palmsPalm forest and clear sky. image by Lars Christensen from Fotolia.com
Naturalized palms have become pests in central Florida. Ornamental types that have escaped cultivation overgrow natural areas crowding out native species. Palms can be controlled by manual or mechanical means. Manual means include hand-picking seedlings and digging up young palms. Mechanical means include cutting, logging and bulldozing, followed by stump treatment. Mechanical means are often too invasive to be used in natural areas or established landscapes and may be impractical for homeowners. - Cutting large palms below the growing point on the stump is the first step. These palms resprout vigorously, especially the clumping variety. To prevent regrowth, experts at Florida's IFAS Extension recommend stump treatment by painting or spraying on a 50 percent solution of Garlon 3A, a concentrated water-soluble herbicide containing Triclopyr amine. It's toxic to fish and grazing or browsing animals. Homeowners are not required to get a pesticide license to apply it, but should read and follow manufacturer's directions for application.
- Bamboo palms can be controlled by the same methods as Fishtail palms.
- Palm seedlingpalm image by Dave from Fotolia.com
Do not plant this palm since it naturalizes readily. Control Chinese fan palms most easily by pulling seedlings out by hand. You can cut young trees at ground level. An alternate method is to spray or paint Garlon 4 into the terminal growth bud (apical bud where leaves sprout) at the top of the palm. Garlon 4 is a concentrated oil-soluble herbicide containing Triclopyr ester that must be diluted before use. As with Garlon 3A, follow all manufacturer recommendations. - Date palmDate-palm image by Kristina Ubaviciute from Fotolia.com
Cut young palm stems to ground level. Treat stumps with the 50 percent solution of Garlon 3A as above. University of Florida IFAS Extension services also recommend spraying or painting 10 percent Garlon 4 on the apical bud of young palms to stop growth. - Because the fruit is carried by birds and animals Solitaire palms are now very common. Pull seedlings by hand. Cut mature trees down at ground level. Remove any stems with fruit lying on the ground and dispose of all fruit where it cannot sprout.
- Royal palm floweringfleurs de palmier royal image by Unclesam from Fotolia.com
Hand pull seedlings to control palms at an early stage. Chainsaw mature trees near the base for removal. - Fan palmsfan palm image by jcpjr from Fotolia.com
Do not plant these species, since they readily naturalize and displace native species. Pull seedlings by hand for early control. Cut young palms at ground level and treat the stumps with the Garlon 3A solution recommended above. Big trees in natural areas should be cut down professionally.
