How to Prune a Tree Fern
Tree ferns, whether Australian (Cyathea cooperi) or Hawaiian (Cibotium glaucum), are tropical species with woody trunks that are 10 to 30 feet tall and arching fronds that range from 3 to 9 feet long growing from their crowns. These ferns grow outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 9 to 11. The Australian tree fern is somewhat more tolerant of cold than the Hawaiian tree fern. New fronds of both ferns grow from the top of the crown; older fronds turn yellow, then brown, as they age and grow away from the top of the crown nearer the trunk. According to the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture, tree ferns grow from single trunks and do not require traditional branch pruning; but homeowners may want to prune fronds to maintain a neat appearance. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Put on protective gear. According to hands-on gardeners at both Yale University's Marsh Gardens and the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens at University of California at Los Angeles, tree ferns are covered with tiny hairs that irritate skin, and scales that can get in your eyes. Wear safety glasses, a hat, gardening gloves and a long-sleeved shirt when you are working with a tree fern. The team at Yale's Marsh Gardens wears full Tyvek safety suits when working with the Australian tree fern in their greenhouse, according to the garden's manager, Eric Larson.
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Remove injured, fading or dead fronds with your loppers to maintain a clean look for your tree fern. Use a ladder if necessary to reach the lower fronds of tall specimens. Fronds should be cut back to the trunk at the base of the crown to avoid a thicket of frond stems (petioles), according to garden columnist Tony Mateo in "Popular Ferns are No Longer Exotic," published in the September 5, 2007, edition of the "Los Gatos Weekly Times" newspaper.
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Crush dried and dead fronds instead of disposing of them. According to Better Homes and Garden Australia TV, the material makes an effective mulch around the tree fern and other plants.
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Tips & Warnings
The trunk of the Hawaiian tree fern grows about 3 inches per growing season, according to the University of Hawaii.
The Australian tree fern grows more than a foot per year, according to Sunny Gardens Nursery.
If your tree fern is in an exposed area, leave some faded fronds in place. According to BHG Australia, drooping older fronds can protect the trunk of a tree fern from sunburn and can help the plant retain moisture.
According to the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture, the fast-growing Australian tree fern is considered an invasive species in Hawaii, where it is crowding out the state's native fern.
References
- Photo Credit huge fern tree silhouette image by kubais from Fotolia.com
