Why Are So Many Palm Trees in Arizona Trimmed? (Miami: landscaping, scorpions)

[miamiman]

I have noticed that the crown of Mexican fan palm trees in this state are trimmed often. Whenever I travel to Southern California it doesn't seem that the palm trees there are trimmed as often. Does it have to do with our heat and lack of humidity? Just when a tree looks attractive and natural, within a few days it's trimmed again.

[vfrpilot]

All the dried leaves are a fire hazard and can hide pests. Some folks like a 'clean' look.

[country pride]

Ive often wondered why there are palm trees at all in the middle of the desert. I thought Az was notorious for its cactus??

[Moth]

While there are probably a few native palms, most of those you see have been imported.

[mortimer]

Only one native Palm Tree in Arizona:
Washingtonia filifera - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[kdog]

Originally Posted by Power Surge

Ive often wondered why there are palm trees at all in the middle of the desert. I thought Az was notorious for its cactus??

Pretty much the whole premise of landscaping is planting non-indigenous species of plants in your yard. Is it not? Or do you think your azaleas and privet hedges are native to your area?

It's all about creating a certain look. Palm trees grow extremely well in the desert, don't produce a lot of litter, and are easy to maintain and provide shade. Cactus on the other hand don't provide any shade and hurt like hell when you brush into one. I knicked one with my knee on a recent mountain bike ride and was pulling out cactus spines for days. Ouch.

[kdog]

Originally Posted by Moth

While there are probably a few native palms, most of those you see have been imported.

Originally imported, but they're being farmed in Arizona now.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by miamiman

I have noticed that the crown of Mexican fan palm trees in this state are trimmed often. Whenever I travel to Southern California it doesn't seem that the palm trees there are trimmed as often. Does it have to do with our heat and lack of humidity? Just when a tree looks attractive and natural, within a few days it's trimmed again.

Definitely no expert here, Miamiman, but . . .

I've been told by the local experts that "trimming" discourages CRITTERS!

[wit-nit]

Palm trees are trimmed for one or more of the following reasons: attractiveness, to keep out black widow spiders and scorpions, fire hazard.
Some cities and/or HOAS require they be trimmed annually because of the fire danger.

[Artliquide]

Pigeons also live in palm trees. I really don't like all the palm trees in landscaping. I much prefer desert landscaping. From what I've read, the native palm trees in Arizona are indigenous to more humid and low areas in Arizona, such as the southern and western areas (north and east have higher altitude desert vegetation). When the fronds dry up, they blow everywhere during windy and stormy times. After a storm, it's common to see a lot of dried up, hard fronds all over the road. The silliest thing I've seen though are cell towers that look like palm trees. Ugly.

Also, I don't think most people trim their palm trees every week. More like once per month, from what I've seen.