The only advantage for removing the pups is if you want to see alot of trunk, or if you want it to look like a single specimen. I think if you are able to keep it looking nice the pups can definately be left on. It will make a nice shrub and with lots of proper care can look really nice and give a tropical look to your garden.

Okay, you all inspired me to try and remove a couple of pups from my big sago today. I placed the back of the shovel against the mother and then pushed down (had to work it). It was like I was tearing the plant up and there were juices. Once I removed the pup, it was actually two. The one I originally started with turned out to be the size of a small pineapple. The other one that was buried and came out with the first was a little larger than a big avacado. My question now, the larger one has part of its side shaved off. Did I kill it? My second question, my other sago has several small (avacado sized) pups on it. But the mother plant has started to sprout new fronds, so should I leave those pups attached until next year? Thanks for any advice.

I have a Male and a Female Sago both about 4 feet tall. Both of them regularly (more from the male) sprout "Pups". I take a sharp spade (small shovel) and get as close to the parent plant as possible and then put pressure until the Pup pops off. When we vacation, I have sometimes had to remove up to 20 or more pups from the male sago. The wounds always heal with no care and the parent plants always do fine after. The males trunk is a little deformed from all the surgeries to remove pups :) Difference between male and female..... Males have a large pollen stalk that grows out of the center - later dries up and falls off. Females have what looks like a large pregnant belly that is holding all of the red seed pods. This belly opens up and has TONS of seeds!! These eventually move to the bottom as more fronds grow and then they fall on the ground. Here are pictures of the male and female plants.....

Well, from personal experience, and for future reference of anyone who needs to know, Sago Palms, which are not actually palms, can also have poisonous-to-dogs walnut-sized seeds that drop. (Is it Sago females or males that drop the seeds? I don't know). But our dog chewed on some at a friend's house, and almost died from it. She was hospitalized with what they estimated was a slim chance of recovery. She did recover, after a harrowing and expensive treatment, but I never fail to mention to dog owners the danger of these plants. I wouldn't plant one where a dog or dogs have access to them. My 2 cents.