Wear gloves, eye protection, long sleeves, and sturdy shoes
Use a clean, sharp pruning saw or pole pruner
Remove only dead, brown, or broken fronds
Cut fronds close to the trunk without damaging the trunk
Leave green fronds unless they are clearly diseased, damaged, or obstructing access
Do not remove fronds above the horizontal line unless necessary
Trim flower stalks and seed pods if desired
Avoid overpruning or “hurricane cutting”
Disinfect tools before and after use
Check for pests, nests, or hazards before trimming
Use a ladder only if stable and necessary
For tall palms, hire a professional arborist
Clean up and dispose of fallen fronds and debris safely