We’ve turned back the clocks, daylight is getting shorter, and winter is closing in and with that temperatures drop. When it comped to palm trees, cold weather can affect them in a variety of ways.
First, frost or freezing temperatures can damage the actual tissue of the palm as well as limiting the conduction of water through the trunk. As well, cold weather will slow down the growth of palms and reduce the activity of the roots. As this occurs, the palm is weakened and susceptible to the perils of disease.
There are a number of preventative measures one can take to encourage the survival of palms through the winter. Where you plant a new palm is a good start. If you can situate in a warm and sunny spot well protected from winter winds that would be ideal. Winds from the north and west are particularly harmful. If you are able, situate your palm close to the south or east sides of your building the heat of your building will further protect them.
Protecting Your Trees from the Cold
If you are aware of severe drops in temperatures on the horizon, there are some easy, preventative measures you can take.
For larger palms with tall, exposed trunks there are methods of protection that can be done. When colder temperatures are on the horizon, wrapping the trunk in burlap, blankets, or similar materials can help. These materials should also be removed once the weather warms up.
For smaller palms, a box or blanket placed over it, and weighted down, will protect most varieties. Be careful not to leave the cover on the plant for more than five days at the most. Burying your smaller palms under a mound of straw or other type of mulch can also provide effective protection for your smaller palms. Make sure that when the weather warms up, the mulch should be removed immediately so as not to promote rot.
Treating Cold Damage
Cold-weather damage can happen despite one’s best laid plans. It is important to determine the level of injury to the bud tissue inside the trunk. Providing that the tissue has not been too heavily affected, the plant should produce new leaves during the following summer. A fairly accurate test to assess the extent of the damage is too gently tug on a leaf newly emerging from the trunk. If the spear pulls out, there is damage to the tissue of the palm.
If there has been damage to the buds and many of the palm leaves have been killed, the battle is not necessarily over. In such instances, one should remove all of the damaged leaves and shoots from the surface of the trunk. Patience is key. Injured palms require an entire spring and summer season to begin their recovery.
To prevent disease from occurring due to cold-damage, there are also proactive measures you might want to employ. When a palm is weakened by winter damage, the bacterium that exists on a palm is capable of causing damage. Treating your palm before the onset of freezing temperatures may help to lower the levels of possibly harmful bacteria. As well, proper fertilization of your palm in late summer and early fall, can help ensure that your plant remains stronger through the winter months.
Cold weather preparation can help keep your palm trees healthy and growing strong. Let Palms 360 help you with winterization services, palm inspections, and with any issues that you may have. We’ve got you and your palms covered 360.