Palm Tree Freeze Damage

Palm trees look their best under the golden sun and the bright sky. However, this is not always the situation for some palm trees, especially those that are planted in states that get too cold in some seasons. It may be hard to determine whether the tree needs to be pruned, let alone know if it is still alive. It is best to talk to a certified arborist to assess the health of your palm tree.  Intense cold can be harsh to these tropical trees; that is why we have to know how to help them recover.

How to Help Protect Palms from Freezes
Winter can have negative effects on the health of palm trees, but with proper preparation, your palm trees will have a surviving chance against the harsh winter weather.

What If a Cold Freeze Damaged My Palm?
You may notice your palm trees turn their lush green leaves to rusty brown one the cold hits. What could be the reason for this?

Palm trees, unlike hardwood trees, don't grow their sprout from different areas, but from one spot alone. The heart of the palm is where shoots grow. Its heart is located at the tree's canopy that is why if it is hit by the cold, the impact goes all the way down to its future sprouts.

It is also important to consider the location where the palm is planted. If it is planted outside its growing zone, it can be prone to damage. Pygmy date palms, for example, are ideal for areas which get almost no frost. It can be detrimental to these palm trees' health if they are planted in cold areas.

Although there are palm trees that are tolerant to the winter cold, the intense freeze can still affect them harshly. The bottom line is, no matter what type of palm tree you have, it is still essential to protect it against the cold winter.
 
How do I Know If My Cold Damaged Palm Trees Are Still Alive?
Consulting an arborist is still the best way to assess the health of your tree. But you can also look at these signs to tell if your tree is still alive:

• It needs time. It is hard to determine what the future holds for your damaged palm. They typically don't show sign of growth months after they got the damage, so all you can do is wait until it shows signs of recovery.
• Green is good. Any green leaves showing in your palm are a good sign. Even if most of the leaves are brown, it could still mean your tree has a chance to recover.
• Let it heal naturally. Nature has its way of recovering a damaged tree. While you wait for Mother Nature to take its course, you can remove fronds that are brown for aesthetic purposes.

 
What Should I do to Protect My Palm Trees from Freezes?
You can help your palm trees have a fighting chance by doing these preventive actions:

• Plant palms that are meant for your area.
• Cover short palm trees with a sheet or a blanket before an announced freeze. You can let a certified arborist wrap the fronds of your taller palms. You can remove the sheets once the freeze ends.
• It is also important to water your palms deeply before a freeze and mulch them to keep the moisture in.
• It is essential for your palms to get fertilized regularly. The nutrients from the fertilizer will aid your palm tree in surviving the harsh cold winter weather.

Call Ocala Tree Service if you have any concern about your palm trees, both in terms of freezing as well as general tree care. ​