European fan palms are a popular type of palm tree because of their ability to withstand colder temperatures, allowing homeowners to add a tropical look to their yard even if they don't live in a tropical climate. While European fan palms are slow-growing, the fronds grow in clusters. If you don't shape them properly, they might become unmanageable. Luckily, shaping a European fan palm tree is straightforward with diligent pruning.
Shaping a European Fan Palm
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Shaping a European palm tree helps it grow in the space allotted in your yard. If you're growing your Mediterranean palm tree in a pot, it helps keep the size of the tree manageable. The key is to stop unwanted growth before it has a chance to proliferate. Every two to three months, inspect the tree's base to look for suckers. These will look like stems or small branches growing from the tree's base.
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Use a sharp knife to cut them off as close to the base as possible without cutting into it. A paring knife is often the best tool for the job. Sterilize the blade using a 10:1 ratio of water to bleach to protect the tree. These suckers will become secondary tree trunks if allowed to grow. Some people want their European palm to grow large, and if that's you, leave the suckers growing in the direction you want the tree to spread.
Ideal Growing Conditions for a European Fan Palm Tree
European fan palm trees are hardier than other species of palm trees, especially when it comes to withstanding the cold. True to its name, it is the only palm tree native to Europe. European fan palms thrive in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11 in the United States and are primarily found in the South and along the West Coast. However, they can also survive in zones 6 and 7, encompassing much of Central United States. Plan to wrap them in burlap during the coldest winter months; they can withstand temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit, but it will damage the leaves.
European fan palms need at least partial sun or partial shade. The more sunlight they receive, the faster they will grow. Each stem of the palm frond is lined with sharp teeth, so you will need to choose a spot where pets and people don't have to walk close to them.
Other Care Tips for a Fan Palm
Fan palms are relatively sturdy and don't need a lot of care. European fan palms don't need a lot of pruning, as the dead leaves will fall off on their own. Still, if you notice fronds that are more than 50 percent brown, you can pull them off yourself. This plucking encourages new growth and improves the look of your plant.
European fan palms are highly drought-resistant, so they can go a long time without water. How often you water will depend on your local weather and soil conditions but keep an eye on the ground near the palm tree base. Make sure that you never let the tree sit in wet, soggy soil, as that can cause root rot. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. You can fertilize from spring to fall during the growing season using a slow-release fertilizer appropriate for palm trees, such as Miracle-Gro Palm Tree Food.