palm tree maintenance

Beautiful Palm Trees

Palm trees are a favorite of many individuals and they have a prominent place in the landscapes of South Florida. They flourish in the climate and there’s a myriad of species from which to choose. The following are some popular choices and will provide a beautiful addition to any landscape.

Canary Island Date

Native to the Canary Islands as the name indicates, it’s also known as the pineapple palm. While the dates it produces are edible, they’re not of the highest quality. The tree’s primary value is as an ornamental that grows 33 to 66 ft. tall. There are records noting rare instances of specimens attaining heights of 131 ft.

Royal Palm

Tall and stately, royal palms grow 1 to 2 ft. per year with a mature height of 50 to 80 ft., though 90 ft. heights are possible. They produce fragrant cream-colored blossoms and dark purple fruits called nuts. It can be grown indoors with sufficient light, but won’t attain its natural height. It’s resistant to a variety of insect pests and diseases.

Cat Palm

With a maximum height of 6 to 8 ft. and a fluffy appearance, its an excellent choice for growing indoors. It’s often used as a dense, short screen when grown outdoors. It’s a type of cluster palm that doesn’t have a central stem, but rather a clump of stems. It’s a slow growing palm.

Silver Date

Silver date palm is just one of the common names by which the Sylvester palm is known. It’s a slow growing species ranging from 13 to 52 ft., depending on conditions. It’s popular landscaping tree for around pools, as an accent tree and lining streets. The tree has white to yellow blossoms, the fruit can be used to make jelly and wine, and the fronds are silvery-blue in color. Date palms are some of the oldest species in the world.

Bismarck

Growing from 30 to 60 ft. in height, the palm can attain growth rates of 2 to 3 ft. per year under optimal  conditions. It should be planted away from buildings due to its wide root system and large crown. Foliage is silver-blue.

RCH Landscaping is a full-service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians has an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

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Why Tree Trimming is Important

Trees provide a wealth of benefits within the environment and most people believe that once a tree has been planted and is growing, the work ends there. Trees are stalwarts of the environment, but even trees need some help in the form of judicial trimming. It’s best to seek the assistance of a professional for the task as inexperienced trimming can kill a tree.

Strengthens

Trimming a tree eliminates weak branches and limbs to strengthen the overall tree. It’s especially important in South Florida where the potential exists for hurricanes. Trimming better prepares a tree to withstand high winds and other stressors.

Safety

Weak limbs and branches can easily break and high winds compound the problem. They present a danger to people, pets and property. Professional trimming eliminates weak crotches, crossed limbs, and branches and limbs that are dead or dying. Addressing those types of problems must be done carefully to maintain the health of the tree and prevent damage to surroundings.

Sunlight

Trees need sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis to occur and trimming is an easy way to open up the canopy. It allows the inside of the tree to receive more sunlight. A lack of sunlight within the canopy can lead to dead branches.

Disease and Insects

Trees that are well-trimmed and healthy are more resistant to disease and insect infestations. If trees do become infected, trimming safely removes affected parts of the tree and helps prevent disease and insect pests from spreading to other plantings. It’s also helpful for detecting potential problems early.

Structure and Appearance

Some trees grow as textbook examples of their species while others do not. Trimming improves the appearance and structure of the tree, gently steering and shaping its growth in the desired direction. An expert tree trimmer knows what the appearance of each species should be and has the expertise to keep trees looking beautiful, which adds value to properties.

RCH Landscaping is a full-service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians has an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

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Why Tree Trimming is Important Before Hurricane Season

Floridians are well-aware of the dangers that hurricane season brings from June through November of each year. Having trees trimmed in anticipation of the hurricane season will aid in preventing damage from limbs that can become damaging and even deadly projectiles during tropical storms.

A strong, healthy, and well-rooted tree may manage to withstand the sustained winds of a hurricane without toppling, but there may still be weakened or diseased branches and limbs. They’re often not immediately obvious to the untrained eye.

During the violent storms, limbs can be ripped from trees and blown long distances through the air. Those limbs can cause damage to an individual’s home, business, or that of a neighbor. Once on the ground, limbs also have the potential to block roads and prevent police or medical professionals from responding in the emergency.

While there’s no way to hurricane-proof a landscape against every type of damage the storms can leverage, having a professional examine trees and remove any weak, sick, or damaged limbs is a critical step to minimize property damage. Some types of trees are better at withstanding the wind forces that accompany a hurricane and there are some that are at more risk than others.

Trees with a dense canopy, those that are dead or dying, have suffered insect damage, have double trunks, young trees, and new plantings are at increased risk and should be examined by a professional tree trimmer. If individuals are in any doubt about their trees, they can also seek the services of an arborist.

Yearly maintenance and trimming is essential for the health of any tree and will ensure they’re better able to withstand the ravages of a hurricane. Trees that have been well cared for and trimmed appropriately are more resilient to insect pests and breakage during a hurricane.

RCH Landscaping is a full service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install, and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians have an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

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Great Looking Palm Trees!

Florida is one of just a few states that are home to palm trees. According to the Department of Biological Sciences, the state is home to 12 native species and dozens of imported varieties. Some can be very fast growing and require significant care to keep them healthy and in good condition.

When most people think of palm trees, they envision the majestic royal palm featured in a wide variety of films and TV shows. They’re majestic, stately, and healthy trees are beautiful to behold. They can reach heights of up to 80 ft. in urban settings with a canopy spread of up to 25 ft., but Floridians grow an amazing number of species that includes coconut palms.

One of the more interesting aspects of palms is that they will automatically shed dying fronds at a rate of approximately one per month. It’s a simple task to dispose of the downed fronds, but it can be dangerous for anyone unfortunate enough to be on the ground when one falls. Damaged or dying fronds should be removed whenever they’re observed and coconuts harvested before they fall on pedestrians or structures.

Palms can tolerate salt spray, withstand high winds, and weather a hurricane. They can also be prone to mineral deficiencies and diseases so it’s imperative that they’re fertilized appropriate to the soil in which they’re planted and that they’re inspected for diseases and insect pests. Palms also have specific water requirements that can be met with an irrigation system.

Palms typically don’t have very deep root systems. The root balls don’t branch much or expand like ordinary trees such as maples and oaks. That trait can put them at risk of tipping as they attain more height. Owners of palms need to be vigilant about trees that exhibit leaning tendencies.

Palms are one of the most beautiful of trees, with some living to be 100 years old. They grow well in urban environments and their root growth habits means they’re less likely to damage sidewalks, pathways and other paved areas. With regular care and maintenance, they can provide shade and visual interest for many years to come.

RCH Landscaping is a full service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install, and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians have an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

Read more
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