How to Harvest Sabal Palms
- 1). Wait until the sabal palm tree is between 8 and 10 feet tall, which includes the top of the fronds, not just the trunk. Trees taller than this can be harvested, but are typically too tough to eat.
- 2). Put on safety glasses and work gloves and cut down the sabal palm at the surface of the ground using a chain saw.
- 3). Cut off all of the fronds from the sabal palm tree trunk using the chain saw, but be careful not to cut into the trunk too deeply. Some harvesters prefer to use a sharp knife or a machete to remove the fronds from the trunk.
- 4). Measure down approximately 3 feet from the top of the trunk and cut through the trunk completely with the chain saw.
- 5). Place the 3-foot long section on a sturdy surface and cut away the hard outer section of the trunk, which is called a boot, until you reach the soft, moist central core.
- 6). Cook or store the sabal palm core as desired.
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