How to prune saw palmetto

Late winter to early spring, or after frost damage. Wear heavy gloves and long sleeves — petiole teeth are extremely sharp. Cut dead fronds at the petiole base close to the trunk using loppers or a pruning saw. Never cut green fronds.

Once a year or as needed after frost or storm damage. Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) is tough and slow-growing, needing very little pruning. Remove dead or frost-damaged fronds by cutting them close to the trunk. In landscape use, removing old fronds improves tidiness but is not essential. Avoid over-pruning — it stresses the plant. The serrated petioles give this palm its name and are genuinely hazardous.

Wear heavy gloves and long sleeves — petiole teeth are extremely sharp. Cut dead fronds at the petiole base close to the trunk using loppers or a pruning saw. Never cut green fronds.