Trimming method isn't good for palm tree

One of the things I love most about the Yuma area is the many palm trees that add so much to the character of the Southwest. I have recently looked a little more into the care of these interesting plants and, in fact, have added some of the more common as well as the less common locally available ones to my yard.

Every single source I have read, both in books oriented to gardening in desert areas as well as numerous well-respected Internet sources, state that pruning green leaves off palms detracts from their health if not their appearance.

They go on to state that if green leaves absolutely must be removed, then only those hanging down from the horizontal be trimmed.

This advice is certainly not followed by many locals, be they homeowners, businesses or municipal workers.

I fear the "carrot top" cuts where all but a few leaves are left on the palm are doing some kind of long-term harm to these plants and I, for one, find them extremely ugly and sad.

Can someone please tell me why this is done, despite all evidence against it?

Doug Saumer

Wellton