Palm trees are iconic symbols of tropical landscapes, known for their tall, slender trunks and crown of feather-like fronds. While most palm species grow as solitary trunks, some varieties produce new shoots or suckers from the base or trunk. These offshoots allow the palm to propagate naturally, but could also indicate underlying health issues. This article provides a complete overview on palm tree shoots emerging from the trunk, including why it happens, which species are prone to suckering, and how to manage extra growth.
What Causes Shoots on Palm Trunks?
There are a few key reasons why a palm tree might send up new shoots from the trunk:
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Natural growth habit Certain palm species, like sago palms (Cycas revoluta) and European fan palms (Chamaerops humilis), naturally produce basal suckers as part of their growth cycle This allows them to expand via asexual reproduction
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Injury response Palms may generate new shoots in response to damage, whether from pruning, storms, pests, or disease The sucker growth helps the plant recover vigor after trauma
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Cultural problems: Too much water, bad drainage, roots that are packed down, or a lack of minerals can all cause extra shoot growth from the trunk. This is the palm’s attempt to gain more resources.
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Genetic predisposition: Some individual palms are genetically prone to developing more basal suckers than others of the same species. This tendency gets passed down.
Palm Species that Commonly Sucker
While any palm can send up shoots when stressed, certain varieties are more genetically predisposed to sucker growth whether conditions are ideal or not. Some palms known to frequently produce basal shoots include:
- Sago palm (Cycas revoluta)
- European fan palm (Chamaerops humilis)
- Chinese fan palm (Livistona chinensis)
- Fishtail palm (Caryota mitis)
- Spindle palm (Hyophorbe verschaffeltii)
- Triangle palm (Dypsis decaryi)
- Christmas palm (Adonidia merrillii)
- Manaca palm (Euterpe edulis)
Managing Palm Suckers
You can control the growth of your palm in a few different ways if it starts sending up shoots from the trunk:
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Remove suckers – Cut or pull shoots as soon as they emerge to maintain a single trunk. Use sterilized pruners and seal wounds.
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Leave suckers – Allow shoots to develop into new palms if desired. Space at least 3 feet apart once established.
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Address underlying causes – Determine if growing conditions like irrigation, drainage or fertilization need adjustment to discourage excess sucker growth.
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Consider trunk barriers – Wrapping palm trunks with aluminum sheeting, landscape fabric or other material can physically block new shoots. Monitor for pests.
How to Remove Palm Shoots
If choosing to eliminate emerging palm suckers, follow these tips for safe, effective removal:
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Time it right – Prune offshoots when small, before they lignify and attach to the trunk. Remove at soil level.
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Use proper tools – Sharp sterilized pruners or saws reduce damage versus tearing shoots off by hand.
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Cut carefully – Make clean cuts without leaving stubs to prevent disease infection. Avoid harming the trunk.
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Apply wound sealant – Coat cut areas with tree paint or sealant to protect from borers and pathogens.
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Remove growth rings – Eliminate rings of shoot bases circling trunks, which can girdle palms.
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Check for pest damage—When you take off suckers, look closely for signs of rot or insect borer damage.
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Monitor progress – Continue checking for and removing new shoots as they emerge to control growth.
Can You Replant Palm Suckers?
It is possible to separate and replant mature, lignified palm shoots that have their own root initials. But the size, health, and root growth of the sucker must be good enough for it to survive being transplanted. Different species have different needs, but for sago palm shoots to grow well again, they usually need a trunk that is 1-2 inches in diameter and roots that are already there. To keep the parent palm from getting hurt, always use clean, sharp tools to pull off suckers. Keep an eye out for signs of trouble, and have a plan B ready in case the sucker doesn’t take off on its own.
When to Worry About Palm Trunk Shoots
Occasional sucker growth is normal, but excessive or rapid shoot development could indicate an underlying issue. Contact an arborist if your palm displays these warning signs:
- Numerous new shoots emerging suddenly
- Shoots surrounded by soft, wet spots on trunk
- Shoots with foul odor, gum or oozing
- Presence of pests like palm weevils or borers
- Wilting, off-color or dying fronds
These symptoms suggest problems like anaerobic root rot, lethal bronzing disease, or red palm mite damage. Proper diagnosis and treatment is key to saving the palm. Desperate sucker growth is the tree’s last attempt to stay alive.
While palm trunk shoots are not necessarily detrimental, keeping growth under control enhances the ornamental appearance and health of palms on the landscape. Monitor for new suckers, determine if removal is preferred, and be ready to address any underlying cultural issues contributing to excessive production. With some vigilance and prompt pruning, you can guide your palm trees to grow strong and tall as stunning solo specimens.
Palm Tree Trunk Wounds
Naturally Palm trees lack cambium – which is a layer of tissue behind the tree bark that creates the growth rings in the tree. Any wounds inflicted to the trunk of a palm tree cannot repair itself meaning these wounds will remain with the palm for the rest of its life. The wounds can and most likely will become dry and brittle unless weather conditions are full of rain or high humidity which can prevent the wounds from drying out. If it is not obvious enough, Insects and fungal infections can penetrate the palm and cause massive damage to the plant’s articular system.
When it comes to the pruning aspect of the palm tree there are crucial factors that come into play during this process. One being that it is important to never sever the downshaft on a palm. Another tip is to remove just the right amount of fronds, or you may just stunt your palms growth, and an obvious one– never introduce any sort of diseases to the plants. In short palm pruning can be hard to manage and is better left to the professionals. If you do decide to proceed with pruning the palm yourself, go ahead and remove only the broken fronds that are entirely dead with no color left to them. It’s also okay to take off flowers and/or fruit; this gives the palm more energy to make new leaves.
How to prune a Pygmy Date Palm
FAQ
How to get rid of palm tree shoots?
To kill seedlings that are already growing, use an herbicide that works on woody plants, with active ingredients such as triclopyr or picloram. Roundup (i. e. , glyphosate) will NOT be effective on palm seedlings. Be sure to read any herbicide label in its entirety prior to applying the product. It’s the law!.
Why is my tree sprouting from the trunk?
Trees grow water sprouts from the trunk when the tree is under stress. Dormant buds under the bark start growing when the tree has lost its top, if the roots are constricted, or during times when other stressors threaten its life.
How to tell if a palm tree has died?
Signs of a Dead Palm Tree No new growth: A healthy palm tree will have new fronds emerging from the crown. If you notice that no new fronds are growing, it could signify that the tree is dead. If the palm tree’s leaves are brown or yellow, it’s likely that the tree is dead or dying.