The Proper Care of a Canary Palm

Canary palm trees are beautiful additions to any area as they are tall and distinctive in their appearance.

Known simply as a Canary palm, the Canary Island date palm tree is a massive and stunning addition to any outdoor area based on its size and angular appearance. Warm climates alone are not enough to ensure the longevity of Canary palms. Proper care and maintenance need to be performed to ensure that your plant thrives and remains healthy. As Canary palms can grow to 60 feet in height, they are suitable for both residential areas and community locations.

Things You'll Need

• Rake
• Chainsaw or trimmer
• Water
• Fertilizer
• Insecticide

Instructions

1. Plant your Canary palm in the right climate. Ensure that your location is in one of the hardy zones outlined by the USDA: zones 9, 10 or 11. Use the USDA interactive hardiness zone map to verify your location if you are unsure what zone you live in.

2. Ensure that the Canary palm has been planted with ample room around the tree for it to grow to its full height, which could exceed 60 feet upon maturity. Canary palms grow slowly, but will continue to grow over time. Make sure the tree has enough room to grow to its intended height without causing damage to an object or to the tree itself. Make sure the position and location of the tree allow for it to receive full sun.

3. Prune and shape the trunk of the tree to form the pineapple shape. You can shape the trunk of the tree to resemble a pineapple, a common pruning technique for Canary palms, or you may choose to leave the trunk in its natural shape. Shaping the tree is different from routine pruning of the fronds.

4. Fertilize the Canary palm tree by spreading an ample amount of fertilizer around the base of the tree. Make sure the fertilizer is specifically made for palm trees and has a higher concentration of both nitrogen and potassium compared to the level of phosphorus in the fertilizer. Loosen the soil prior to spreading the fertilizer. Use your hands, while wearing gloves, and work the fertilizer into the soil. Water the tree base to make sure the fertilizer soaks in to the ground.

5. Apply an insecticide on the trunk and base of the tree to prevent insects such as the palm weevil from causing damage to your tree. Use the insecticide with caution, and wear gloves and a face mask while applying to prevent exposure to the chemicals. Use spray or powdered insecticide specifically designed to attack both adult weevils and larvae. Portions of a Canary palm that have been infested with weevils will need to be cut off and burned to prevent further damage and infestation to the rest of the tree.

6. Trim and prune the tree as needed. Remove dead fronds by using a chainsaw or set of shears strong enough to completely remove the dead fronds at the base where they connect to the trunk. If you prune far enough, and peel back the additional bark of the trunk, the pineapple shape will begin to take effect higher up on the tree.

Tips & Warnings

• Know that once you make the pineapple shape in the trunk of the Canary palm the shaping will remain and the process cannot be undone.

• Use care when trimming trees with chainsaws and practice safety measures such as wearing protective eye wear and following all stated instructions on power tools.

References

• University of Florida: Phoenix Canariensis: Canary Island Date Palm
• Galveston County Master Gardeners: Cold Hardy Palms
• University of Florida: Community Tree Care
• The University of Arizona: Arizona Landscape Palms
• Center for Invasive Species Research: Red Palm Weevil

Resources

• United States National Arboretum: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map