Coconut palm dropping coconuts into the pool from 40'

5 years ago

I have two coconut palms that arches over the swimming pool. Most of the coconuts end up dropping into the pool. I am concerned about being in the pool when one of these drops on my head from 40 feet above.

I know there may be climbers that can get up there and remove the nuts. I have also seen videos of some Asian countries where they have trained monkeys to go up. I am not sure what else is possible. I do not believe a bucket truck can reach it from the street side.

If I hire a climber to do it, is there a best time of the year to go up to do this so it will not bear nuts for the rest of the year, or this has to be done year round?

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Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A

5 years ago

There are tree people in Florida who make their entire income on trimming palms and de-nutting coconuts. Either pay the piper, learn to do it yourself or remove them and plant something less threatening. Yeah, I love coconuts and those are marvelous specimens, but really, with those bowling balls hanging like Damocles sword, and with threat of hurricanes, etc. etc, why live with that?

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Comments (7)

Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I would have a climber remove the developing nuts when they are still small. They can cut off the infructescences (spelling?) when they are much lighter and do not pose as much of a risk. Ask around at commercial landscaping places.

If it were me, though, I'd just remove the trees. Plant something smaller such as Christmas Palm or Foxtail. Just not worth the hassle or health risk! What do you do when hurricanes threaten?
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
dont the lower branches need to also be removed.. else they fall whenever they are shed by the tree

ken
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HU-881289050
5 years ago
Those are some beautiful trees and many will envy the wonderful tropical setting this creates for your pool area.

The earlier comment to just cut them down is idiotic IMHO. It will take decades to recreate such a beautiful setting.

Most large landscaping trees require some maintenance and with your coconut trees this means having a climber going up the trees once or twice a year and removing dead fronds and the various fruiting stages of the nuts (or doing it yourself if you can learn how to climb trees with the proper equipment and aren’t afraid of heights)
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
The earlier comment to just cut them down is idiotic IMHO

===>>> you have to wonder if this anonymous person signed up.. just to insult long time contributors ...

trees causing death is not uncommon .. and trees dropping bombs ... aka ordinance ... from 30 or 40 feet are very problematic ...

and if budget is a serious concern ... on an annual repeated basis.. then invest in removal ... and if you insist.. plant some new babes and move before they get that big again .. lol ..

landscaping is renewable.. and replaceable .. there is no reason to be under threat from your garden ...
bengz6westmd
5 years ago
ken sez: trees causing death is not uncommon

Stats would show that it is uncommon, even for loggers.
Embothrium
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
The way the two palms asked about are right next to the paving and lean out over the pool can be seen as producing a visual tension anyway. Even if they weren't also dropping coconuts. And since there are plenty of other palms and trees already in place behind them - and that aren't leaning over the pool - to carry on after their removal this seems like the way to go. With the main need from a landscape effect standpoint - whether the two leaning palms are present or not - actually being to soften and obscure the wood fence with shrubs.