The cold temperatures this past winter severely damaged many palm species growing in our area.  The species showing the most damage were Coconut, Areca, Adonidia (Christmas palms) and Foxtails.  The damaged varied from location to location, but here is what to expect going forward.

1.  On many of these species, the new center fronds were blown over during a severe thunderstorm on Monday, April 26, these fronds showed damage at the base related to the cold weather.  It does not mean the palm will die.  I inspected these fronds and did not find any signs of a wet rot indicating active bud rot disease.  The combination of a cold weakened base and high winds are the main factor for their loss.

2.  Many older fronds continue to fall, remove these whenever possible.  This may be a continual problem meaning several visits from the tree trimmers or landscape maintenance crews charging extra for the work.

3.  Leave any frond still green.

4.  If the palm survives, expect the first 3-5 new leaves to be possibly deformed or brown.

5.  All the spots, dead areas, brown tips etc. present on the fronds will be there until those fronds are all replaced.   This may take 6 -12 months depending on the species. 

6.  Some triple and double palms have one or more stalks dying, cut the dead stalk off at the ground, of course your triple is now a double.  

7.  If the entire top flops over, the tree is dead and must be replaced.

8.  Finding undamaged palms may be difficult since there was cold damage all the way to South Florida. 

9.  Be patient; don’t remove the palm unless the entire top is rotten. It is very hard to tell how much damage a palm has sustained.  New fronds can emerge from tissue deep inside the heart; there is nothing to be lost by waiting.

10.  Our recommendation for treating the buds with copper sulfate has not changed since the freeze.  There is no way to assess the amount of damage, copper sulfate is the only product that can help control bacteria and fungus.

11.  There is absolutely no guarantee on a treatment.  The treatment costs are far less that replacing the palm and it may prevent further damage.

Brian Combs, General Manager

Certified Consulting Arborist-Horticulturist

Certified Pest Control Operator  #FL-4028

Bug Master Pest Control

brian@bug-master.com