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How to cut down dead Sabal

16 years ago

We bought and planted a 16 foot sabal palmetto almost 2 years ago. It was hurricane cut.

Within 9 months of planting the last frond turned yellow. I climbed up and checked it out and it pulled out easily and the frond base smelled "fermenty". It appears it developed crown rot.

I called the man we bought it from and he said to give the palm time to see if it would send out more fronds. We have waited a year and there are no signs of life. I climbed the ladder again and felt for any new growth and there is none.

My husband and I have decided to cut the palm down and plant a windmill palm which does well for us in our climate.

The tree only has boots at the top. The area we would be cutting has no boots.

Will the chainsaw bind? What is the best way to cut it down?

Thanks in advance.

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Comments (6)

liza_jaramillo
16 years ago
The best thing to do is wrap chain 2/3 of the way up around the trunk and pull it out of the ground with a van or truck. Since there was no growth and it died, there should be no root growth and should come right out of the ground with the same tiny root ball it came with. That way you will have no stump left in the ground to deal with, you just back fill the hole. Its funny you ask this question because I have 2 12 ft's I planted and if they didnt make it that was my plan but they are both pushing green so I think Im good so far.
lsst
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks! We have a tractor and a chain. I think we will try that this weekend and just pull it out.
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the_virginian
16 years ago
1sst, what state do you in? What USDA zone are you in? The reason I ask is there is a type of palmetto that might make it if you are in zone 7a and highier, it is called Sabal "Birmingham." You get the palmetto look while not worring about the cold killing it. Windmill palms here do well and are a good choice too.
lsst
Original Author
16 years ago
I am in Upstate SC. I have not seen a Sabal Birmingham. I will look into it.

I planted a Windmill in the Sabal Palmettos place.

As far as cutting the Sabal,the palm definately had crown rot.
We hooked up a chain to the palm and to our tractor. It pulled out with little effort as it had not grown any new roots since it had been planted. We cut the tree into sections and it smelled horrible like fermentation. It also had black sections like rot.

I am really bummed about losing it as it was about 16 feet tall and cost quite a bit. We splurged to buy it.

LSST
the_virginian
16 years ago
I have several Sabal Birminghams in my yard and they get through our winter well. I don't know how close you are to York, SC, but there is a great palm tree nursery called "Chilly Palm Tree Co." Sean McFall is the owner and he has Sabal Birminghams aand many other types of palms that may do well in your area of SC. He even delivered palms up here right to my door!
lsst
Original Author
16 years ago
I am in Southern Spartanburg County. I will check out that Nursery.
By the way, I am into Southern Architecture and just found a book from th early 60's on the subject and it had a whole section on York. Even though I have lived in the upstate all my life, I have never been to York. According to this book it seems beautiful!

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