Time for Trimming

We've gotten some great rain the past few weeks - downside is that it limits what we can do in the fields.    One thing we can do is trim up some of the palms.

Here is a row of Date Palms that have never been trimmed.   They have long, sharp spines so trimming can be a bit treacherous.

   

The palm to the left has been trimmed to about 3 feet off the ground.   We left a large amount of petiole to protect the trunk through the winter.   At harvest, a little more will be removed and  the canopy will be tied up to protect the growing point. 


This is a Silver Date or Toddy Date, Phoenix sylvestris that has been in the field for three years.  I'll say it again - it's my favorite palm tree!  I mean, look at the number of leaves in that canopy!