Phoenix Palm

SuperK

SuperK

New member
Location
Quarryville
Hey Buzzers,

Where I am employed we have to remove a phoenix palm.

I have never climbed a palm and was wondering what the structural integrity is for the area after the main trunk wood ends if that makes sense. I guess the area I am concerned about is where the old palms where cut or that fell off.

The other kicker is just to talk about is the massive cockroaches that will be in the tree and its inside a greenhouse so there are lots of targets.

Any help or guidance would be great!! Thanks much.palm 2 (1).webp palm 2 (2).webp
 
All I know about palms are that I avoid them as much as possible. When I can't I wear a dust mask - more for animal dirt than tree dust. And I clean my saw well afterward with water anywhere sap got on the aluminum. (Sap dissolves aluminum. )
 
OP said, "I have never climbed a palm", so one thing that may be of interest to you is that you will want your chain as sharp as possible. A lot of the fibers will still rip free on one side rather than being cut free on both sides and ejected from the kerf. For this reason working the bar back and forth some to re-encounter those fibers closing in on your bar can help to cut them and clear more our of the kerf.
 
JD3000 said:
Ya lost me at giant cockroaches.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

Yes i cant wait, i keep thinking about one going down my shirt not sure what to do at that point lol.

Another greenhouse we did a banana tree and at the base in the leaves and stalks it had some pretty big ones in there lol.

Not a fan either for sure!
 
merle_nelson said:
OP said, "I have never climbed a palm", so one thing that may be of interest to you is that you will want your chain as sharp as possible. A lot of the fibers will still rip free on one side rather than being cut free on both sides and ejected from the kerf. For this reason working the bar back and forth some to re-encounter those fibers closing in on your bar can help to cut them and clear more our of the kerf.
Click to expand...

Merle,

I have done other palms in the greenhouse with a lift but this might have to be a climb we are trying for scaffolding for the fact that it has cockroaches, really point leaves and just the fact of limited exposure to spiking palms.

It always amazes me how fast the saw will clog with the sawdust from palms, they are dicots right? It also smells weird too!

Thanks!
 
SuperK said:
Merle,

I have done other palms in the greenhouse with a lift but this might have to be a climb we are trying for scaffolding for the fact that it has cockroaches, really point leaves and just the fact of limited exposure to spiking palms.

It always amazes me how fast the saw will clog with the sawdust from palms, they are dicots right? It also smells weird too!

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Hatchet and machete? Also, it looks small. 15'? Could you use a pole saw and/or chain pole saw and catch small chunks?

Lastly, you can strap a long pipe with a rigging point to the palm so it extends above the crown. Then cut the palm above the straps, lower it, and saw off the bottom in pieces as it comes down. No dynamic rigging, one-man operation...
 
K man all I got to say is good luck with that one. What about our red neck polesaw? That should get more of the fronds off at least... Or scare some of the roaches off. You should go in there at night to see the real big ones!!!! Just look on the bright side..... At least you shouldn't find any snakes !!
In all seriousness though maybe look at stabilizing it with guy ropes to the sides of the house. I think I would be more concerned with the lack of a support system due to no environmental factors acting on the tree such as wind.
 
SuperK said:
Hey Buzzers,

Where I am employed we have to remove a phoenix palm.

I have never climbed a palm and was wondering what the structural integrity is for the area after the main trunk wood ends if that makes sense. I guess the area I am concerned about is where the old palms where cut or that fell off.

The other kicker is just to talk about is the massive cockroaches that will be in the tree and its inside a greenhouse so there are lots of targets.

Any help or guidance would be great!! Thanks much.View attachment 41794 View attachment 41796
Click to expand...

generally speaking the palm trunk is very strong and can be rigged off
if you choose to rig the head I would strongly suggest stripping as much weight off of the head as you are willing to do before rigging out the head onto the stem if you are going to be on the same stem.
failure to do so will result in a major ride.
maybe double block it if you can
I repeat - a serious pounding on the stem - the head has a lot of weight!!
(based on repeated testing)
wing cut the sides of the scarf or take your chances on the tear - just saying.

a hand saw is highly recommended for the live fronds in the head as the tight base area of the fronds is a high kickback risk area.
Merle is bang on about the saw eating issues involving palms,
the alloy will start to pit and dis solve within the hour , steel will rust after a day if left uncleaned.
thoroughly strip the entire saw down and decontaminate including the clutch, bar and chains,
it will be so full of shite by the finish you will wanna do this anyways but be fussy to the point of OCD or regret at leisure .
the dead frond and skin layer will blunt a saw quickly - bring several new chains
if you haven't priced the bid yet then build in extra time for onsite and after the job maintaince of equipment.
chippers can clog if feeding the fronds in
chipper will clog if feeding the trunk through a slow or underpowered chipper.
appreciate the fact it is in a greenhouse and prob not full of bird nests live chicks and a whole mess of bird droppings lol.
good luck and enjoy....
Ben
 
Should be able to peel away the old frond bases and sink your gaffs in nice and proper. As mentioned before, if this is a Phoenix or date Palm you will need to be very wary of the thorns. Seen one go through a pair of my buddy's Oakley combat boots into his foot. Another fella was out of work for 2 months after getting an infection from one in his knuckle.
The ants will probably piss you off more then the rats and cocaroaches and not sure where you are but centipedes are a whole New story. Got bit by a 10 incher in Hawaii in a Palm and hopefully never again.
Anyways, hope I was able to raise your spirits and if you're fairly competent, you should be fine. Good luck!
 
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