If you were going to name the most popular tree in Los Angeles, it would probably have to be the palm tree. LA’s palm trees have appeared in so many movies and TV shows that they’ve become an unofficial symbol of the city. Palm trees are a favorite landscaping option in the LA area. They are often used to create the impression of a lush tropical paradise or enticing desert oasis.
What is a Palm Tree?
Palm trees are a species of perennial flowering plants belonging to the family Arecaceae. Palms are distinguished by their single, branchless stem and crown of large, evergreen fan or feathered-shaped leaves, called fronds. Palms with a tree-like form are referred to as palm trees.
There are around 2,600 known species of palms; most are native to tropical and subtropical regions. While palm trees in LA are planted mostly for decoration, they are an important commercial crop in many parts of the world, providing food, fuel, medications, building materials, and other products.
Popular Palm Trees in Los Angeles
Believe it or not, California fan palm is the only palm tree native to the Los Angeles area. It’s thought that the first non-native species were introduced to the area by Franciscan missionaries. In addition to the California fan palm, the most common palms used for landscaping in Los Angeles include:
- Resort-style date palms
- Canary Island date palms
- Chinese fan palms
- Mexican fan palms
- Mediterranean fan palms
- Areca palms
- Cabbage palms
- King palms
- Queen’s palms
- Windmill palms
- Saw palmetto
- Sago palms (sagos aren’t actually palm trees, but a type of cycad)
Palm Tree Maintenance in Los Angeles
Deciduous trees, such as oaks, dogwoods, and maples, shed their leaves and slow their growth during the cold winter months. Palm trees are from tropical and subtropical lands where there is no cold winter weather. They don’t shut down for the winter but instead grow leaves, or fronds, all year round.
As palm trees grow new fronds, the dry old fronds hang off the tree. This gives the palm a shaggy, unsightly appearance that poses a fire hazard and serves as a home for insects and other pests. Palm tree “skinning” is a maintenance process that removes these dead, drying fronds. Skinning restores the natural beauty of a palm tree while reducing the chances of fire and insect infestation. Palm tree trimming is also used to remove dead or diseased fronds.
Landscaping professionals recommend that you have your palm trees trimmed and skinned at least once a year. Since the seasons don’t change much in Los Angeles, palm tree skinning and trimming make a perfect wintertime landscaping project.
Los Angeles Palm Tree Skinning and Trimming Services
When it comes to taking care of your palm trees, don’t trust the job to just anyone. Improper maintenance procedures can damage your trees, affecting their appearance and health. When it comes to your palm trees, trust the expert arborists at Gutierrez & Sons Landscaping. Family-owned and locally operated, we’ve been delivering expert landscaping services to home and business owners throughout the Los Angeles area for more than 25 years. We have the experience, expertise, and equipment to keep your palm trees looking their best.
Now’s the perfect time to spruce up those shaggy palm trees. Contact the Los Angeles palm tree care professionals at Gutierrez & Sons Landscaping through our website or call us at (310) 324-6593 to learn more about our palm tree care services.
