What’s Wrong With My Palm Tree?

You may be wondering “What’s wrong? My palm tree is yellowing or drooping?” You can have sick palm trees from many factors, including climate, nutrient deficiencies and pests. Although many palm trees can survive without much maintenance, some trees may need to be inspected by an arborist.

Before we discuss what can make your palm trees sick, it is important to first understand the characteristics of palm trees and how to tell when they are affected by a pest or disease.

What are the species of palm trees found in Pinellas County, Florida?

We are home to many varieties of palm trees because Pinellas County is located in zones 9b & 10a.

• Dwarf Palmetto
• Saw Palmetto
• Florida Silver Palm
• Cabbage Palm
• Florida Royal Palm
• Coconut Palm

These are just a few of the many types of palm trees found in and around Melbourne, Palm Bay, and Viera.

What are the different parts of a palm-tree?

The trunk, roots, and foliage are the main components of a palm tree. The fronds of most palm trees in Pinellas County are found at the crown (or top) of the tree. The fronds can be used to identify a palm tree along with its trunk.

The leaves of a palm tree will generally have two shapes: fan-like (also called palmate) and feather-like, (also known by pinnate).

Palm trees have a different root system than other trees. They have roots that are both short and many, which spread over the soils at higher levels. This can cover a distance of several hundred feet. This strong network keeps the tree in its place.

It will be easier to identify which type of palm tree you have once you know the details.

Signs your palm tree may be sick

A brown central stalk is the most obvious sign that your palm tree may be sick. The top portion of your palm tree’s center is where you should look to get a “health assessment”. Your tree may be suffering if the top stalks turn brown or shriveling. Get out the hose if the area around your tree is dry. It may be too much water if the soil or sand is very soft around the tree.

It is not likely to be a problem if the lower leaves (fronds)are turning brown but the top of the tree remains green. To stimulate new growth, you can trim the lower palm leaf.

When is it appropriate to call a Certified Arborist

Arborwise Tree Service is the best choice if you’ve tried to solve your palm tree’s problems but have not been able to. This post was written by a professional arborist at   Arbor Wise Professional Tree Care. Robert Miller is the owner of Arbor Wise Professional Tree Care, a locally owned and operated tree service company that offers superb lawn care by the most experienced Arborists. Arborwise Tree Services is a tree removal company that offers stump removal, tree pruning, stump grinding, fertilization, and tree restoration. We have an extraordinary lawn care industry notoriety covering the Pinellas county area.