How to prune encephalartos transvenosus

Any time, only when fronds are entirely dead. Use clean, sharp loppers to sever the dead petiole close to the trunk base. Avoid cutting into the trunk itself. All green or partially green fronds must remain on the plant.

Rarely; once a year at most, only removing dead fronds. Encephalartos transvenosus, the Modjadji cycad, is a protected South African cycad requiring almost no pruning. Only remove completely dead, brown fronds at their base. Green fronds should never be removed — they supply the slow-growing trunk with essential stored carbohydrates. This is a specimen plant best admired, not regularly cut.

Use clean, sharp loppers to sever the dead petiole close to the trunk base. Avoid cutting into the trunk itself. All green or partially green fronds must remain on the plant.