What this service includes
Florida palms have specific care needs — improper pruning weakens them and accelerates decline. Our crews are trained on sabal palmetto, queen, royal, washingtonia, and other common species, with the right techniques to keep them healthy.
Why Sacred Tree Service?
- ISA Certified Arborists assess every job before we touch a saw.
- Member of ISA and TCIA — bound by national best-practice standards.
- Fully licensed and insured, with workers’ comp coverage.
- ISA-credentialed crew based in Apopka, FL — your call goes to a real person.
Cities we serve
We provide palms services across Central Florida, including:
- Palms in Orlando
- Palms in Pine Hills
- Palms in Ocoee
- Palms in Winter Park
- Palms in Maitland
- Palms in Apopka
- Palms in Belle Isle
- Palms in Edgewood
- Palms in Altamonte Springs
- Palms in Casselberry
- Palms in Longwood
- Palms in Winter Garden
- Palms in Fern Park
- Palms in Goldenrod
- Palms in Oviedo
- Palms in Lake Mary
- Palms in Windermere
- Palms in Dr. Phillips
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does palm trimming cost in Central Florida?
Standard palm trimming typically runs $75–$250 per palm depending on height, species, and how overdue the trim is. Tall royal palms (over 40 feet) can run $250–$450 each because they require climbing or a bucket. Sabal palmettos, washingtonias, and queens are routine — we price each in person. Removal of a dead palm (lethal bronzing, late-stage Ganoderma) typically runs $400–$1,500 depending on size and access.
How often should I have my palms trimmed?
Less often than most people think. UF/IFAS specifically recommends pruning palms only to remove dead, dying, or broken fronds — typically once every 12–18 months, sometimes less. Pruning healthy green fronds weakens the palm and accelerates nutritional decline. If a landscaper recommends quarterly palm trimming, get a second opinion. The right cadence keeps the canopy fuller and the palm healthier.
What is a "hurricane cut" — and why don’t you do it?
The "hurricane cut" is cutting palm fronds all the way back above horizontal, leaving only a small upright tuft. It looks tidy and customers often love it — but it severely weakens the palm, removes the photosynthetic capacity it needs to feed itself, and triggers nutritional deficiencies. UF/IFAS, the ISA, and every credentialed arborist agree: don’t do it. Hurricane-cut palms are markedly more vulnerable in actual hurricanes, not less.
What is lethal bronzing — and what do I do if I see it?
Lethal bronzing (Texas Phoenix palm decline) is a phytoplasma disease spreading through Central Florida that kills sabal, queen, Phoenix, and other palms once symptoms appear. Symptoms: bronzing of older fronds advancing up the canopy, premature fruit drop, spear leaf collapse. There is no cure once symptomatic — removal is the only way to stop the spread. Nearby healthy palms can be protected with oxytetracycline (OTC) trunk injections every 3–4 months for at least 2 years.
What palms grow well in Central Florida?
Sabal palmetto (our state tree) is the most reliable native — drought-tolerant, cold-hardy, well-suited to local soils. Other strong performers: pindo (Butia capitata), Mediterranean fan (Chamaerops humilis), windmill (Trachycarpus fortunei), and cabbage palm. Queen palms grow well but need more nutrition. Royals need cold-snap protection. Washingtonia robusta is fast but messy and prone to lightning strikes. We can advise on the right palm for your site.