Tree Care, The Way It Should Be.
Scottsdale, AZ
MON-FRI: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
25 Aug 2021
Palm Tree Removal Costs

Palm Tree Care

How can you care for your palm trees throughout the year? Follow our guide to properly care for your trees and guard against any potential pests and/or diseases.

Palm Tree Care Tips

Routine maintenance is needed to keep your palms at maximum health. Use these care tips below:

Soil

Compacted soil found in many urban areas does not offer the type of nutrients required for a palm tree to thrive. These trees actually acquire a lot of their nutrients from the top of the ground and topsoil. This means fertilization is needed.

Roots

Since these roots do not grow very deep into the ground, they will require occasional care. The majority of palm trees feature just one trunk. The point at the top of the trunk is known as the terminal bud. If the top gets damaged, the tree could die.

Watering

Water a new palm tree twice per week for the first six months of life. Add enough water to penetrate at least 18 inches of the soil. If the soil is sort of a sandy mix, extra water is needed. Watering requirements for older palm trees will depend on the climate.

Pruning

Yellowing or browning fronds should be removed, but refrain from trimming too close to the palm tree trunk. Bark can be easily damaged and any wounds will be used as entry points by potential pests and diseases. As new fronds grow, the older ones will die off.

Palm Tree Diseases

Inspect your palms often to watch for any potential diseases.

Bud Rot

This is a fungi that can cause the fronds to wilt and eventually perish. Total demise of the tree may follow afterwards. Mexican and California palms are especially vulnerable to bud rots.

Lethal Yellowing

First observed in the Caribbean area nearly 100 years ago, this disease eventually saw a massive outbreak in the Florida Keys and Jamaica.

Fusarium Wilt

This disease causes the fronds to start wilting, eventually losing their green color and die. When a palm gets infected, there is really no remedy for this disease.

Ganoderma Butt Rot

A newer fatal disease of Florida palms, it is caused by a fungus called Ganoderma zonatum. This will attack the base or “butt” of the tree at a height of 3-4 feet above the ground. This disease has been attacking palms since 1994.

Palm Tree Pests

Always be mindful of these potential threats to your palms.

Palm Budworm

This is a type of beetle whose larvae feeds on flowers of a large range of fan palms. These beetles are about an inch long and are pink and green in color.

Royal Palm Bug

These pests will feed on only the royal palms, but females will lay one egg a day there during the spring. They will rarely kill the tree, but they will cause considerable damage.

Giant Palm Borer

This is a large beetle that targets the wood of Phoenix and Washington species. The borer grubs can survive inside palm trees for up to 9 years.

Thrips

This is a significantly large family of insects, feeding on palm flowers and leaves. While they aren’t lethal to palms, they will cause discoloration. You may start to notice black droppings on the leaves, as well.

Palmetto Weevil

They are found in Florida, Texas and South Carolina. They have a record of infesting saw palmettos, Washington palms, Canary Island date palms, royal palms, and even coconut palms.

Liberty Tree Care Offers Tree Services in Scottsdale, Mesa & Tempe

If you are searching for tree service in ScottsdaleMesa or Tempe, Liberty Tree Experts can help! Get a free tree service quote by giving Liberty a call today at 480-482-9374.

More Articles About Arizona Trees

18 Mar 2021
Is My Palm Tree Dead?

Is My Palm Tree Dead?

Palm trees belong to the evergreen family of trees, so whenever you start to notice brown or yellow fronds, this is a cause for concern. These trees can also become infested with bugs and die out over time.

If you are currently searching for “is my palm tree dead“, this article is for you!

How To Tell If Palm Tree Is Dead

It can be difficult to judge whether your palm tree is dead or just in need of extra care. If there is any remaining green on the tree, then the palm is still alive, according to Hunker. Of course, if there is no green whatsoever, then it is simply too late to save the palm tree. Some of the first signs one can notice with dying palms are yellowing or drooping leaves. Start by investigating the soil that the palm is planted in.

Here are three signs that a palm is either dying or already dead:

  1. Wilting Or Discolored Palms
  2. Pest Infestations
  3. Running Out Of Nutrients

Wilting Or Discolored Palms

Whenever a palm’s fronds begin yellowing, Davey suggests checking the soil to make sure no major nutrients are lacking. Proper moisture and fertilizer levels need to be checked, as well. Any inefficiency can cause harm to your valuable palm. DO NOT attempt to remove any discolored fronds from the tree, however. This can stunt the growth of younger leaves on the tree.

Pest Infestations

Experts say palm trees are most affected by the following pests: palm aphids, spider mites, caterpillars, sucking insects and mealybugs. Inspect your palm tree regularly to ensure there is no visual infestation of pests.

Running Out Of Nutrients

Magnesium and potassium deficiencies are the most likely nutrients causing a palm tree to suffer. Remember, palms can be very temperamental, and several factors like soil, water, nutrients and fertilizer can affect the overall health of the tree. It is best to do something immediately whenever you notice some sort of deficiency. If any of these factors are left unattended or uncared for, there is a good chance your dying palm will eventually die.

How To Bring A Dead Palm Tree Back To Life

How To Revive A Dying Palm Tree

Follow these steps to bring your palm tree back to life:

  • Increase or decrease sunlight exposure
  • Replace nutrients
  • Add proper amount of water
  • Use a higher-quality fertilizer
  • Only cut off fronds after they are dead
  • No pruning during hurricane season

If left in direct and overbearing sunlight, it is possible for the palm tree to become sunburned. Conversely, not enough sunlight can turn the leaves an unwanted shade of brown. Find the balance between these two and position your palm in the best spot possible for optimal sunlight exposure. Making sure your tree has the proper amount of calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium is essential to its healthy life. Spots on leaves, deformations and discolorations are all signs of some sort of deficiency.

Just like sunlight, be careful not to give your palm too much or too little water. Too much watering will cause the fronds to start turning either yellow or brown. A lack of water could lead to the same discoloration, as well. If you notice any deficiencies, perhaps the simple solution is to upgrade your fertilizer. High-quality fertilizer will help your palm grow and develop properly.

Do not cut any leaves after you first notice the brown coloring. Cutting too soon can result in the loss of valuable nutrients. Wait until the leaves are completely dead before cutting them off. By removing fronds during hurricane season, you are adding more stress to your palm. These fronds actually can provide protection from the wind during hurricane season.

Liberty Tree Care Offers Tree Services in Scottsdale, Mesa & Tempe

If you are searching for tree service in ScottsdaleMesa or Tempe, Liberty Tree Experts can help! Get a free tree service quote by giving Liberty a call today at 480-482-9374.

More Articles About Arizona Landscaping

Click To Call