The main reason to prune a palm tree is for aesthetics. Unlike other shrub or tree pruning, cutting back the tree won’t encourage more growth. Over-pruning will damage the tree, so focus on these key ...

The iconic Hollywood tree is known as Mexican or needle palm (Washingtonia robusta). A skinny trunk that may reach 80 feet in height is topped with an inelegant mophead of tattered fronds.

Pollination by flying insects such as bees is difficult, yet this palm still has a fruit and seed set that’s close to the soil surface, suggesting efficient pollination.