Palms are one of the most widely planted trees in the world. They are of the Arecaceae family, and they can grow very tall depending on the variety. The majority of the world's palm tree is in tropical parts of the world. Palm trees can be potted plants, but they thrive better outside.
Palm trees have a part known as crownshaft. It is this part of the tree that causes growth. And the growth of the palm tree occurs at this point only.
So, if you cut a palm tree in half will it grow back? Will the cutting affect the crownshaft? No, a palm tree will not grow back when you cut it in half, and you will find out why shortly.
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If You Cut A Palm Tree in Half Will It Grow Back?
If one cuts a palm in half, the tree won't grow back. The growth of the palm tree occurs at the tip; a part called crownshaft. This crownshaft is above the trunk.
When you cut the tree in half, you kill the tree because the component responsible for growth is off. This is for the majority of palms. There are unique palms that won't die, instead, they will regrow stem cells from the palm's roots if you cut them in half, but the particular stem you cut won't grow back.
Palm Trees with One Trunk
If you cut off palm trees with just one trunk, you have successfully killed the tree. Palm trees with single trunks cannot grow new crownshaft to take the place of the one you cut.
Since there are no green fronds to tap light and use it to produce food, the trunk will get no nutrients and begin to weaken.
Soon, the tissues of the root will start rotting, and afterwards, certain death will follow. So, if you plan to cut a palm in half, make sure you are no longer in need of the tree or are ready to grow and tend a new one.
Examples of some palms with single trunks are royal palm, cabbage palm, Christmas palm and Mexicana palm trees.
Palm Trees with Multiple Trunks
Some unique palms have more than one trunk. You can also call them clustering palms. They have roots that can pull a remarkable comeback. If you cut a trunk, the plant will not die. Another trunk will grow in the former trunk's place.
Cut all the stems on the plant; the clustering palm won't die. Sucker shoots that originate from the plant's roots will grow into new and healthy trunks.
This rebirth only happens if the plant is healthy. Weak, diseased or stressed palms won't rejuvenate, they will die. Some examples of some clustering palms are everglades palm, Formosa palm and areca palms.
Damage to Palm Tree Trunk
Palm trees don't have cambium, and this cambium is the tissue responsible for growth in other plants. It is usually found at tree barks. So, if the palm encounters any injury, it remains so till the palm dies.
The trunk cannot heal itself. If the wound occurs during dry weather, the damage can dry up, and no harm will come to the tree, but if it happens when there is high humidity or rainfall, fungal diseases and insect pests can damage the vascular system of the plant.
If you notice a wound on the trunk, apply bacteria and fungicides to the area.
Taking Care While Trimming A Palm Tree
Cutting a tree in half is not the only thing that will damage your palm tree, trimming the palm can also damage your tree. That is why you have to be careful when trimming the plant. There is a possibility that you will cut the crownshaft. If this occurs, then your tree is a goner.
Conclusion
If you cut a palm tree in half will it grow back? If the palm tree is one with a single trunk, then the answer is no. But if the tree is one with multiple stems, yes, it will grow back. You have to take care when removing seed pods and flowers as there is also a potential for your trunk to damage.
If you do not know how well to trim your tree, contact a professional for that, so you do not damage the crownshaft. Disinfect the tools you want to use for trimming before and after use.
Recommended Reading:
- Can You Cut Off The Top of a Palm Tree?
- Can I Cut Off The Flowers in a Palm Tree?
- How to Get Rid of Palm Fungus
