I'm bracing myself for the inevitable danger of pruning my date palm. I know I might end up getting speared by those spiky branches, but I'm wondering what practical tips or precautions I should take to make this a bit less gruesome. Any advice?
1 Answer
Honestly, once you accept that those spikes are coming for you, it’s not as bad! Just wear some thick leather or rubber gloves to keep those barbs at bay. It’s a good idea to also wear safety goggles and a mask, especially if you’ve got pesky birds around. When you're ready to prune, try to cut as close as you can to where the frond connects to the trunk, and have some loppers handy. Dividing branches into sections before tossing them out makes the cleanup easier too.

Thank you for the tips! I appreciate the detailed advice!