Gardners-- Palm Tree Fertilizing?

Today we received an unsolicited bid from our landscaping company to fertilize our palm trees. They say they need that treatment, desperately. We've never had them done before.

Have any of you ever had experience with having this done? What are the benefits; how do we know that they need it; and what can we expect to see if we have this done? These palms have been here for 27 years. Some have died and we've had them removed. Some have woodpecker holes that appear to go all the way around the tree. I know that the palms do not have an indefinate lifespan. They're going to die sometime. Would it be a waste to get this done?

I don't know the proper name, but they're the tall skinny ones that tower over our two-story buildings.

Any info you can give would be greatly appreciated. This is in Florida..

Anna,
Now you KNEW that I would answer this one, didn't you? They are possibly Queens from your descriptions. Yes they have a lifespan and at 27 years, it is amazing that the hurricanes have not taken them down. NO do not fertilize them at this age. You do it maybe for the first 5 years and by then, the little root systems that they might develope, will be enough to sustain them for the rest of their lives.

Palm trees are actually in the grass family and unless they are the magnificent Royals or Coconuts, let them live out the rest of their lives without a shock of food.

I highly eccomend "self cleaning palms "when you need to replace them. Those are Royals and Fox Tails. They drop their dead fronds when they die and are low maintenance.

Donna, Thank you,thank you, thank you!

On my topic line I was going to write: Master Gardner....because yes I did want you to answer. I'm going to copy your reply for everyone else. You have given me invaluable information!

Anna,

Google palm trees..you will probably see pictures which you can identify and info on their care.

Anna,

You're welcome. We have a landscaper that knows nothing about anything except cutting grass who insisted he knew how to trim crepe myrtles..he didn't. I googled the care of them and printed out the way they should be trimmed. You can do the same.

One thing I would note, is that woodpeckers are a sign. The woodpecker does not eat the wood. They are after small bugs under the layer of bark. As such, you may want to look into treating for the insects that the woodpeckers are after. Then again, if they are near the end of their life you may instead opt to leave the woodpeckers their meal.