Palm trees are always a sight to behold, especially under the summer sun and blue sky. Unfortunately, for some palm trees that are planted in states with harsh cold seasons, it is not always the case. If you suspect your palm tree to be suffering from freeze damage, contact a certified arborist right away. It can be a challenge to tell if a palm tree requires trimming or if it is still alive and well, that is why a certified arborist will be a lot of help. Palm trees are vulnerable to cold weather, which is why it is essential to learn how to help them survive and thrive.
 
How to Help Protect Palms from Freezes
With proper care and preparation, you can help your palm trees battle the adverse effects of winter on their health.
 
What Can I Do If a Cold Freeze Damaged My Palm Trees?
You might be wondering why the green leaves of your palms suddenly turn to brown when the cold season comes. Palm trees are not like hardwood trees in the sense that they grow from a particular spot and not from various areas. The palm’s heart is found at its canopy, that is why everything else gets impacted when it gets damaged.

Another factor to consider is where the palm tree is planted. If it is planted anywhere outside its growing area, it can easily be vulnerable to freeze damage. Palm trees should be planted in zones where there are no harsh cold seasons.  Certain types of palm trees can survive the cold winter, but they can still fall victim to intense cold. Simply put, whatever the nature of palm tree you have, it is crucial to keep it safe from the intense freeze.
 
What Are the Signs that My Cold Damaged Palm Trees Are Still Alive?
In most cases, it's hard to determine if a palm tree is still alive or already dead. It is important to contact a professional arborist to evaluate your tree’s situation. You can also use the following symptoms to tell if your tree is still living:

• Give it time. Your palm trees may not show signs of growth after they get damaged by the cold season, which is why you need to wait until it shows symptoms of growth and recovery.
• Green means good. Even if more than half of your palm tree's leaves are brown, seeing some green ones is a ray of silver lining. It means that your tree still has a fighting chance and that it could still recover.
• Let nature do its wonder. Allow nature to take its course in healing your damaged tree. You can get rid of fronds that turned brown while waiting for your palm to recover totally.

 
How Can I Protect My Palm Trees from Intense Freezes?
Help your palm trees fight freezes by doing these helpful tips:

• Don’t plant palm trees that are not meant for your state’s climate.
• Use a blanket or a sheet to cover short palm trees before the cold season hits. For taller palms, you can ask help from a certified arborist to wrap the fronds for you.
• Make sure to water your palm trees before a freeze. Mulching them would also be helpful as the mulch will lock the moisture in.
• Fertilize your palms regularly. Your palm trees will have a better surviving chance if it is healthy, to begin with.

If you have any questions or concerns about your palm trees, please call Thatcher's Tree Service for a free consultation and estimate.  
 
 
 
 

Palm trees are made to survive high winds and intense rains in a hurricane. However, no matter how sturdy a tree is like a palm tree, it can still incur storm damage. Whether the injury is as small as a few yellow leaves or as weighty as a broken crown, your tree needs assistance for it to recuperate.

Let’s talk about the best actions to do if your palm tree gets damaged by the storm.

How do Palm Trees Thrive After Storm?
Palm trees are wind resistant due to its sturdy trunk and open canopy. Palm fronds are resilient and fold into themselves during high winds. Because of this, the tree holds onto its foliage during the entire storm. However, no matter how healthy a palm tree is, it can still be affected by a hurricane.

My Palm Trees Got Damaged in a Hurricane, What Should I Do Next?
You should always make safety your top priority after a storm. Don't get too close to a tree that looks like it is leaning forward. While making sure you and your property are safe, you should also look for signs of damage such as:

• Dead, hanging fronds
• Broken stems
• Leaning trunk
• Totally toppled over tree

It is always best to contact a certified arborist when you find out your palm tree has been storm damaged.
A tree expert will address the following questions after a storm.

What to do If Your Palm Tree Top Broke Off/ Stripped

1. Inspect if the central tree point is intact. This may be difficult for you to do and the help of an arborist will come in handy.
2. The tree will more likely survive if the bud is still whole. However, if it is damaged, your tree may need to be removed.
3. If your tree is unharmed, you still have to wait for three to six months to see signs of recuperation
4. Only prune the tree if you are cutting off dead fronds.
5. Once new leaves start to bud, fertilize your tree to restore the green color of the yellowing fronds. 

Is There Still Hope for a Leaning Palm Tree?
This is a rather difficult question to answer because it can be based on different situations. There are times when you can fix a leaning palm, but there are cases when you cannot. It will be challenging for you to determine whether your tree can still be fixed without the help of a professional. A professional tree company can give you advice on whether your tree can even survive or not. If the arborist determines your tree is no longer stable, it will be most likely removed.

What Should You Do With Your Palm Tree Fronds that Bent But Didn’t Break?

• If the fronds of your palm trees are bent and the leaves are yellow and green, leave them this way. Let it get all the needed energy and nutrients it can get.
• Be patient and wait until they mature and turn into color brown
• Cut off dead or brown fronds.