How to Protect Your Palms Before and After a Frost

Every year countless palms and other tropical plant species are harmed or killed by sudden frosts. Don’t just assume your palms are dead, however. Take immediate action to prevent further injury but give it a few months before assuming a death verdict. It is possible that your trees may ultimately rebound into health.

What to do immediately: Apply a fungicide containing copper to the frost-damaged fronds as well as to the bud of the palms. Reapply the solution in two weeks. Do not apply again following this treatment, or you may actually further damage the palms.

After the weather gets warm: When the weather is consistently warm again, trim off all brown palm fronds. You will know if the palms are dead or severely damaged if the new growth is brown, easily breaks, or if the crown of the palms collapse. If the palm trees are dead, they should be removed from your yard.

Future Protection from Damage: Palms should be regularly fertilized. Cold temperatures can weaken the health of palm trees, making them more susceptible to pests and disease. Apply a granular palm fertilizer three or four times a year to promote the health of your palms. Ultimately, healthy, well-established palms withstand frost better than unhealthy and/or young palms.

Other tips: Always select palms that are appropriate for the climate where you live - resist the temptation to go too tropical. If you have advance warning of a frost, cover the trunks of your tall palms with blankets or burlap to protect from damage. Short palms can be completely covered with weighted blankets.

Resources:

My Palm Trees Are Dead After a Florida Frost

University of Florida IFAS Extension: Treating Cold-Damaged Palms