palm tree
Mexican Fan Palm: pruning, storm risk and removal
Washingtonia robusta. Also called Washington palm, Skyduster, Thread palm.
Plain-English notes for homeowners, plus field notes for tree crews. General guidance only: for one specific tree, have a local insured pro look at it.
Mexican Fan Palm at a glance
| Height | 70-100 ft |
|---|---|
| Spread | 10-15 ft |
| Growth rate | Fast |
| USDA zones | 9-11 |
| Lifespan | Typically 50-80 years, some live longer |
| Type | Palm |
| Native range | Northwestern Mexico, including Baja California and Sonora. It is now widely planted along streets in warm parts of the United States and has naturalized in some places. |
| Roots | A mass of thin, fibrous roots that spreads from the base of the trunk. Palms do not make a taproot or growth rings, so the root system is shallow and wide. It rarely harms foundations but is fairly easy to wreck by trenching. |
| Wood | Palms have fibrous trunk tissue, not true wood, and no cambium or growth rings. Cut trunks are heavy when wet, fibrous and poor firewood. They break down slowly and are often chipped or hauled whole. |
| Storm risk | mediumThe trunk is slender and very tall, so high winds can snap or push over older palms. Dead fronds also fall from the top in wind, and large old trunks may be soft inside. |
Typical ranges, not guarantees. Soil, water, space and care change how a tree grows. Storm risk is our general rating for the species, not an inspection.
For homeowners
Caring for a mexican fan palm
Best time to prune
Remove only dead and fully brown fronds, and old flower stalks and seed clusters, usually once a year. Cutting the dead skirt is mostly a safety and fire task. Keep tools clean between trees.
Avoid pruning
Do not remove green fronds. Avoid so-called hurricane cuts that leave only a small tuft on top. Palms cannot heal pruning wounds, and over-pruning stresses and weakens the palm.
More on timing: when to prune trees.
- Dead fronds can hang for years and are a fire risk in dry areas. Have a pro remove them on a schedule.
- Do not plant one close to a house or power line. It gets very tall.
- Water deeply and keep mulch back from the trunk. A palm planted too deep or with soil piled around the trunk tends to do poorly.
- Seeds spread easily and seedlings can pop up in beds and cracks. Pull them while small.
Safety first
Do not climb a tree or use a chainsaw on storm-loaded or broken wood. If a tree or limb is touching power lines, stay away and call the utility. If someone is in danger, call 911. For anything big, hire a local insured pro: read how to hire a tree service and is my tree dangerous?
Lirevon does not do tree work. Find local pros on Google Maps and read their reviews, then get two or three written quotes.
For tree crews
Field notes: working on mexican fan palm
- 1Check whether the trunk is solid and the top is sound before you plan for work at height.
- 2Dead frond skirts can hold rodents, bees and wasps. Check before you start.
- 3Do not use climbing spikes on palms you plan to leave standing. They leave wounds that open the way for decay.
- 4Clean saws and pole saws with a disinfectant between palms, since some palm diseases spread on dirty tools.
Removal notes
A very tall, slim palm often needs a crane or bucket truck, because climbing a trunk with dead frond bases and weak spots is risky. Remove the top first, then cut the trunk in pieces and lower them. Wet trunk sections are heavy. Dead frond skirts hold rodents and wasps, so plan for that. Check for power lines, which are often close to street palms.
Wood
Palms have fibrous trunk tissue, not true wood, and no cambium or growth rings. Cut trunks are heavy when wet, fibrous and poor firewood. They break down slowly and are often chipped or hauled whole.
Pricing this job? Try the tree job estimator. Follow your own safety plan and crew training on every job.
Common problems for mexican fan palm
Pests and diseases to watch for. Each link explains signs and what to do.
Trees often mistaken for it
Check the leaves, bark and shape before you decide how to prune or treat.
Where mexican fan palm grows
Native range: Northwestern Mexico, including Baja California and Sonora. It is now widely planted along streets in warm parts of the United States and has naturalized in some places.
Common in these US regions. Tap one to see other trees there.
Free tools for this tree
They run in your browser and nothing is sent anywhere. Results are estimates.
Mexican Fan Palm: common questions
How tall does a Mexican fan palm get?
Typically 70 to 100 feet, with a very slim trunk. That is much taller than most other landscape palms, and they are often planted in street rows.
What is the difference between the Mexican fan palm and the California fan palm?
Mexican fan palm is usually taller and has a slimmer trunk. California fan palm has a thicker trunk that is wider at the base. The two can hybridize, so a local arborist or extension office can help with a firm answer.
How often should dead fronds be removed?
Many owners do it about once a year. In areas with fire danger, local rules may call for more often. Only the dead brown fronds should go.
Why is the top of my palm turning yellow or brown?
Possible causes include nutrient problems, root trouble, cold injury, root rot or insects. Palms are slow to show damage. An arborist or extension agent can help find the cause.
Can a Mexican fan palm be moved?
Smaller palms often can be, with care and a good root ball, in the warm season. Tall ones are hard and need special equipment.
When should a Mexican fan palm be removed?
When it leans with soil lifting, the crown is dying, the trunk is soft or the palm is near wires or a roof. A certified arborist can inspect it. Get two or three written quotes.
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