I’ve had many customers give me a call to say they are looking to purchase a Victorian era period property or beach cottage, but can’t get around the fact that it has a great big Phoenix palm in the middle of the yard!

First of all, I want to say well done to anyone who is doing their homework about Phoenix palms before buying a property with a well-established Phoenix palm growing on it. If you have stayed up to date on some of my previous posts, you’ll already know that this arboreal beast can be more than just a haven for rodents and other garden pests.

Phoenix Palm Facts: 

• 644 recorded Phoenix palm spike injuries in 2016
• Spikes at the base of foliage crown are razor-sharp
• Fronds can cause infection if spikes enter the skin
• Spikes can bury themselves deep into the muscles and joints
• Spikes carry a rare type of fungal infection

And on top of all the potential injuries, if a frond leaf from a Phoenix palm on your property falls onto a neighbour’s car, wall, or electric fence, you will be reliable for any damage. No matter how beautiful these trees appear to be, their ability to shed fronds at an alarming rate is more than quadrupled during heavy rains or windy storm.

How to Get Rid of Pesky Phoenix Palm Trees

If you find the long list of the Phoenix palm’s nuisance abilities alarming, then you’re not alone. Many regional councils in New Zealand have gone ahead and classified this palm species as an official pest plant. Where there’s a pest, there’s always a way to get rid of it for good.

• The roots of this tree were causing problems to the neighbors shed and fence. It was also home to quite a few rats that was stressing the family dog out..