8-ITB-26-00186 ATTACHMENT C - Palm Trimming Guideline.pdf
PDF 657 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Common Grounds Mowing and Landcare Services
- Solicitation number
- ITB-26-00186
- Issued by
- Hillsborough County, Florida
About this file
This file is an attachment containing palm trimming guidelines for Hillsborough County Parks in Florida, supporting the Common Grounds Mowing and Landcare Services contract opportunity. The document outlines comprehensive scope of services for palm tree maintenance, including inspection protocols to identify disease, pest infestation, and structural defects; removal of dead, dying, broken, or hanging fronds below the 9:00-3:00 horizontal plane (the "9-3 Rule"); pruning limited to fully brown or more than 50% necrotic fronds unless otherwise agreed; and removal of seed pods and flower stalks. The optimal timing for palm trimming is late spring or early summer, before hurricane season, to promote healing and reduce storm-related damage risk. All work must adhere to recognized industry standards including ANSI A300 Tree Care Operations - Pruning standards and ISA Best Management Practices for Tree Pruning, as well as applicable local, state, and agency-specific regulations.
The trimming protocol requires contractors to maintain at least 75% of live fronds to preserve photosynthetic capacity and wind resistance, make clean cuts close to the trunk without gouging or flush cutting, and disinfect tools between trees using 70% isopropyl alcohol or diluted bleach solution to prevent disease transmission. Contractors must avoid damaging the palm trunk and prohibited practices such as "pencil topping" or "hurricane cuts" that remove excessive fronds and weaken the tree. Contractors are required to use appropriate personal protective equipment including gloves and eye protection while maintaining safe work methods and avoiding unsafe ladder use. The related contract opportunity is a three-year term agreement with an estimated value of $9,010,694.17 for ongoing and as-needed mowing and landcare services at multiple County locations.
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Text version
Hillsborough County Park – Palm Trimming
Best done late spring or early summer, before hurricane season, to support healing and reduce risk from storms.
1. Scope of Services
a) Inspect palm trees and report any signs of disease, pest infestation, or structural defects.
b) Remove dead, dying, broken or hanging fronds below the 9:00–3:00 horizontal plane (the '9–3 Rule').
c) Prune only fronds that are fully brown or more than 50% necrotic unless otherwise agreed.
d) Remove seed pods and flower stalks.
2. Standards & Compliance
All pruning and maintenance shall follow recognized industry standards and best practices, including but not limited to:
• ANSI A300 Tree Care Operations – Pruning (where applicable).
• ISA Best Management Practices for Tree Pruning.
• Local and state regulations and DOT/agency guidelines applicable to the worksite.
3. Trimming Protocol (Operational Details)
• Follow the '9–3 Rule': visualize the trunk as a clock face and only remove fronds that hang below the imaginary line between 9:00 and 3:00. Do NOT remove healthy green fronds above this line.
o Why it matters: Removing fronds above this line damages the palm’s ability to photosynthesize, weakens the trunk, and increases vulnerability to disease and wind damage.
• Maintain canopy: leave at least 75% of the live fronds to preserve photosynthetic capacity and wind resistance unless otherwise directed.
• Cutting method: make clean cuts close to the trunk without gouging. Do not 'flush cut' or leave long stubs.
• Avoid 'pencil topping' or 'hurricane cuts' which remove too many fronds and weaken the palm.
• Do not wound or damage truck of palm tree
• Disinfect tools between trees using 70% isopropyl alcohol or diluted bleach solution to prevent spreading disease.
6. Safety
• Contractor will use appropriate PPE and safe work methods; clients must keep the area clear while work is in progress.
o Wear gloves, eye protection; avoid unsafe ladder use
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .