Prune less than you think
A healthy palm does not need much cutting. Remove fronds that are completely dead or dry, and old flower stalks and fruit that you do not want. Cutting green fronds weakens the tree and gives pests a way in.
Avoid the cut that leaves the crown looking like a pineapple. Heavy cutting stresses the palm and does not make it grow better.
Why fresh cuts matter
The red palm weevil is attracted to the smell of fresh cuts and sap on some palm species. The Canary Island date palm and the date palm are the most affected. Large fresh wounds are an invitation.
If a palm has to be cut, keep the work tidy, do not leave stubs and big torn surfaces, and ask a person who knows palms to do it. Do not cut more than is needed.
Signs of a problem
Watch the crown. Warning signs include young central fronds that collapse or hang down, a crown that looks one-sided or thin, chewed fibres and a sour, fermenting smell near the trunk, and holes or tunnels in the trunk or at the base of the fronds.
Damage often shows late, because the weevil feeds inside the palm. Check your palms regularly, especially after any pruning.
If you suspect a weevil
Do not wait to see if it gets better. A suspected infestation should be reported to the Department of Agriculture, which gives official guidance on the pest in Cyprus. Quick action can save a palm and protects the palms of your neighbours too.
Do not move cut palm material around. Infested material should be handled as the official guidance says.
Everyday care for a healthy palm
A palm in good condition is better able to cope with problems. Water deeply but not too often, keep lawn sprinklers from soaking the trunk all the time, and give the palm a suitable feed in the growing season.
Clear fallen fronds and keep the base of the trunk clean so you can see what is happening. When you have a pruning visit, ask for dead fronds only and a clean finish.
