Cold Hardy Palms
Even though tropical palm trees can experience problems during the winter, there are some cold hardy palms. Palm trees in Florida adaptable to cooler climates can be found in landscape nurseries. Some palm tree types that are found in central and southern Florida can also do good in north Florida.
Listed here are some cold hardy palms that add a tropical appearance around your home and landscape.
Windmill Palm Trees
A very popular palm tree, excellent for any landscape. It is one of the most cold hardy palms for cooler climates. Height range is from 5-10 feet tall. It has a slender erect solitary trunk with fan shaped leaves. Very adaptable to any soil condition. Used as borders or as a base plant and is also good for patios in a large pot. Has high salt tolerance so it is good for seaside locations.
Pindo Palm Tree
Grows to a height range of 10-20 feet tall. Has a heavy trunk with feather shaped leaves that are low growing. Leaves have a bluish-gray color. It is a slow grower that will need ample space to develop. Used as a border or base in a landscape. Very adaptable to any soil. It is the most cold hardy palms, with feather shaped leaves.
European Fan Palm
It has a height range of 2-5 feet. This is one of the most widely used dwarf, clump growing, palm tree types with fan shaped leaves. It is a slow grower that is used for borders or as a base plant. It is also good for patios in a large pot. Excellent as a small plant for homes. It tolerates many types of soils and has a high salt tolerance, which makes it good for beach side plantings, or along seawalls.
Dwarf Date Palm
This is a trunk less species of cold hardy palms that will grow in clusters with a height of 3-5 feet tall. It does need plenty of room for it’s spreading leaves. It grows best in full sun and is extremely drought tolerant. It is native from northern India to southern China.
Cold Hardy Palms Sonoran Palmetto Species
This palm is a distinct-looking palm tree species of Sabal. The leaves range in color from bluish-green to silver. It has a thick trunk and grows 30-40 feet tall. It is a slow grower so will take years to reach it’s full height. It loves full sun and is very drought tolerant. It is native to northwestern Mexico.
Phoenix Loureirol
It is primarily a thin, single-stemmed type of cold hardy palms, that grow to a height of 10-15 feet tall. However there are forms that are clustering. The fronds have thin leaflets with colors that vary from bluish-green to totally green. It can grow well in full sun or partial shade. It is drought tolerant and adapts to infertile soils. It is widely native from India to southern China, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
As you can see there are palm tree types that are considered to be cold hardy palms. Cold weather palm trees can be placed in landscapes in areas that experience cooler climates. You can enjoy the tropical look and not have to worry about the cold weather hurting them.
Kurt Kmetz
Palm Tree Problems
Florida palm trees need proper care to stay healthy and grow normal. Palm tree problems such as nutrient deficiencies are common from lack of palm fertilizer. Palm trees in Florida need 16 elements to grow in good condition. Plant problems can occur from Florida’s nutrient poor soils. When palm tree problems happen they can be identified from visual inspection. Knowing what to look for is the key to diagnose nutrient problems.
Listed Are Four Common Nutrient Deficiencies That Cause Palm Tree Problems.
Palm Fertilizer Nitrogen (N)
When Florida palms become nitrogen deficient the leaves will turn uniformly light- green or yellow in color. Symptoms will appear on the older leaves first, then the entire tree will be off color. To correct the problem apply a granular palm fertilizer containing the essential element nitrogen. Foliar applications can be done with liquid fertilizer. Spray thoroughly two times at 14 days apart. Do not spray more than twice within 6 weeks. After fertilizing palm trees should respond quickly.
Potassium Palm Tree Problems (K)
The most common disorder and most serious cause for a dying tree is extreme lack of potassium. Symptoms showing deficiency in palm trees will be first seen on the oldest leaves. After it progresses the newer leaves will be affected next as it becomes more serious. Symptoms will begin as yellow or orange spots on the leaves. Eventually leaves will become withered in appearance. Phoenix Date palms show symptoms in the older leaves by turning an orange-brown discoloration near the tips. Potassium palm tree problems are most severe in Royal, Spindle, Date, Coconut, Areca, and Queen palms. Fertilize with granular palm tree fertilizer containing potassium sulfate. Applying liquid fertilizer by spraying is not effective.
Palm Tree Fertilizer Magnesium (Mg)
Palm tree problems such as this is common in Phoenix Date palms and Canary Island Date palms. It will first be seen on the oldest leaves and then continue up through the canopy. Look for a broad light yellow band along the outer margin of the oldest leaves. The center of the leaf should remain green. Magnesium problems are rarely fatal to palm trees but does cause unhealthy appearance. To correct this nutrient problem apply straight magnesium which can be found at garden centers in 5-10 pound bags. Amount to be applied depends on the size of the palm. So follow directions on the label. Unfortunately leaves affected will not return to green, so new growth is needed to replace them.
Palm Trees Fertilizer Manganese (Mn)
Palm tree problems often called ” Frizzle Top ” on palms usually is caused by soil being alkaline, found especially in southern Florida. Symptoms showing lack of manganese will occur on new leaves only. They will grow looking chlorotic, weak, reduced in size with extensive streaking in the leaves. As it continues to get worse new leaves will emerge looking withered, frizzled, or scorched and very small in size. Royal, Pygmy Date, and Queen palms are susceptible to manganese deficiency palm tree problems. If left untreated a dying tree will not bounce back and survive. Treat as soon as possible with straight manganese sulfate. It can be found in 5-10 pound bags at garden centers. Follow directions on label.
The information in this article is a guide to help determine palm tree problems with common symptoms of nutrient deficiencies. If you are having difficulties in diagnosing a problem contact your local extension service. Perhaps you can take a close up photo of an affected leaf and e mail picture to them. A regular program of fertilizing palms can avoid palm tree problems from happening.
Kurt Kmetz
