Signs of a Dying Palm Tree & How to Save it
It’s tough to think of a more iconic tree than the classic palm tree! Synonymous with paradise, the desert oasis, and the Hollywood Hills, a palm tree looks incredible in any Australian backyard. But, what do you do when you think your palm tree might be dying? Is it possible to revive it? As expert arborists at Jim’s Trees, we explain how to know if your palm tree is dying, how to save it, and how best to remove it.
Signs of a dying palm tree
Not sure if your palm tree is dead or potentially dying? Look for the following signs of an unhealthy and dying palm tree.
No new growth
If your palm tree is healthy then it will have new fronds emerging from the crown as a sign of new growth. If these fronds have died back and there are no new ones growing, then your palm tree is dying or even already dead.
Brown or yellow fronds
A quick way to tell if your palm tree is dying or dead is by checking the fronds. Your palm tree should have green fronds, if they’ve turned yellow or brown then your palm tree is not healthy.
Dry or brittle fronds
Once again, inspect your fronds to see how healthy your palm tree is. If the fronds are dry and brittle to the touch then your palm tree is dying or dead.
Why is my palm tree dying?
Now that you’ve realised your palm tree is dying, it’s time to identify the root causes! We’ve listed some common reasons why your palm tree is likely dying.
Over or under watering
A common cause of palm trees dying is incorrect watering. Under watering can occur if you’ve been neglecting your palm, particularly in warm weather, and the tree may appear slightly wilted with curled up leaves. Overwatering can occur when you are watering too frequently, the roots of your tree will be waterlogged and the leaves will turn yellow or brown. If you are watering too shallow then the topsoil will be wet and soggy, but the roots won’t be receiving enough water.
Poor quality soil
Bad soil can quickly turn a healthy palm tree into a dying one. If your soil is too acidic, your tree won’t be happy. Palm trees prefer well-draining soil which has slightly acidic to neutral pH.
Lacking nutrients
Lack of vital nutrients can quickly send your palm tree to an early grave. Your palm tree needs the right balance of calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium to thrive. We recommend using a specialised palm tree fertiliser so it receives the right amount of nutrients.
Too much or not enough sunlight
Getting the right amount of sunlight for your palm tree can be a delicate balance at times. If your new palm tree is in direct sunlight it can potentially get sunburnt. The amount of sunlight required for your palm will depend on the variety, so carefully research this before planting.
Pests or disease
A tree disease or a pest infestation is often responsible for a dying or unhealthy palm tree. To see if your palm tree is suffering from diseases or pests, check the trunk, fronds and leaves.
Can you save a dying palm tree?
If your palm tree is unwell, don’t lose all hope! With some dedicated Palm tree maintenance, your tree will soon thrive and recover. Usually, the best course of action for saving your palm tree is to address the cause of it dying. For example, if your soil is low quality and lacking the right nutrients then it’s best to replant your tree in better soil and apply palm tree fertiliser.
Should you remove a dead or dying palm tree?
Unfortunately, sometimes your palm tree is beyond saving and needs to be removed. Even a healthy palm tree may need to be removed once it is declared dangerous by an arborist. Removing dangerous trees is highly important and should only be done by a professional tree surgeon and arborist such as Jim’s Trees due to the high level of risk involved. Removing a tree yourself is highly risky as you put yourself and others in danger of falling tree limbs and trunks. A badly done tree removal can also potentially damage your property and create more problems.
If you need to remove a palm tree, then the experienced team at Jim’s Trees are here to help! We will successfully and safely remove your palm tree, along with the stump. Receive a free quote today!
