Palms are tropical and subtropical perennials in the Arecaceae family with shrub-, tree-, or vine-like growth habits suited to cultivation in Zones 6 to 13, depending on the species.
Most have unbranched stems and clusters of evergreen leaves called fronds.
Noteworthy features are shallow roots and a “pseudo bark” of hardened frond tissue that doesn’t expand with age.
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There are many different varieties for locations ranging from full sun exposure to full shade with moderately moist, sandy loam that drains well.
Heights measure two to 200 feet with a spread of up to 40 feet, offering gardeners a wealth of landscaping options.
In our guide to growing and caring for palm trees, we provide all you need to know to maintain these plants in your landscape.
This article discusses the top reasons why fronds may fray or shed and how to address them.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Why Palm Fronds Fray and Shed
Let’s start our discussion with how these plants grow naturally.
Some species, like the cabbage, Sabal palmetto, Christmas aka Manila, Adonidia merrillii, and foxtail, Wodyetia bifurcata, are self-shedding, otherwise known as self-cleaning.
These types drop their dead foliage, a boon to gardeners who might otherwise have to climb a ladder and use a saw to remove it.
It’s normal to see a “skirt” of dead fronds before they begin to drop off of their own accord.
If your palm is dropping fronds and is not a self-shedding variety, the cause may be one of the reasons we’ll discuss below.
Another characteristic you may observe is “reins.”
These are thread-like filaments protruding from the sides and/or tips of the leaf blades that create a frayed appearance as they separate from the leaves, dry, and turn brown.
Reins are residual plant tissue that edged the leaves before they opened.
Cabbage, California, Washingtonia filifera, and Christmas types exhibit this benign characteristic, and many growers make practical use of the filaments, pinching them off and twisting them into a sturdy twine.
Fraying of this nature is a harmless natural trait, but other leaf tip and edge anomalies may be of concern, as we’ll discuss.
Disease
Three diseases that cause leaf abnormalities in these plants are:
- Fusarium Wilt
- Ganoderma Root and Butt Rot
- Leaf Spot
These are fungal conditions that cause leaf discoloration, wilting, withering, and dropping.
Consider disease-induced decline if you see these symptoms in species that are not known to be self-shedding.
A classic symptom of Fusarium wilt is brown, withered foliage on one side of the main vertical leaf vein or pinnae.
The disease is incurable and affected plants should be removed and disposed of.
Ganoderma root and butt rot is also incurable and results in plant death. Symptoms include leaves that fail to open, foliage turning yellow or brown and withering.
Tell-tale signs of leaf spot are dark, water-soaked lesions that develop halos in black, brown, gray, and/or yellow. Treatment with copper fungicide spray may be effective.
If your palms are of substantial size, consult an arborist to assess their health, diagnose diseases, and treat when appropriate.
Herbicide Absorption
Leaf anomalies can result when the plant absorbs herbicides applied to turf, either through the soil or foliage.
Products derived from phenoxyacetic acid and those that contain metsulfuron-methyl may cause leaves to twist, turn yellow, and dry out.
If you have to apply herbicides anywhere in your landscape, protect the leaves and stems of your palms to prevent absorption and physiological damage.
Moisture Stress
Over- or under-watered flora can suffer from moisture stress that may cause symptoms like leaf yellowing, browning, and shedding. Improper watering increases susceptibility to pests and pathogens and may lead to root rot, another cause of foliar decline.
New transplants require consistent moisture while they are becoming established over the first one to six months, depending on the size and species.
After that, water when the top three inches of soil are dry. Ensure that your plants are growing in well-draining soil.
An evaluation of your watering practices should help you determine if the fraying and shedding may be due to moisture stress.
Consider installing a drip irrigation system for controlled moisture delivery.
Nutrient Deficiency
Another reason for leaf irregularities is a lack or imbalance of essential nutrients, including potassium, manganese, magnesium, and nitrogen.
There are numerous causes of nutrient deficiency, including:
- Soil pH
- Herbicides
- Planting Depth
- Soil Quality
Let’s discuss each of these.
Soil pH
The appropriate soil pH for growing palms is 5.5 to 7.5 – slightly acidic to barely alkaline.
High pH levels (alkaline soil) causes the required nutrients to be less available to the plant, leading to growth abnormalities, leaf discoloration, and leaf death.
Conduct a soil test to determine the pH in your growing area and amend as needed.
Growing in soil with the appropriate pH helps to prevent nutrient deficiencies that adversely affect foliage.
Herbicides
The presence of herbicides in the soil can inhibit the uptake of nutrients or render them toxic when absorbed. Avoid using turf grass weed killer in proximity to palms.
Planting Depth
When planting, it’s crucial to set the crown of the plant one inch above ground level. Planting too deeply not only increases the risk of the roots rotting, it can impair nutrient uptake.
Soil Quality
The ideal soil for palms is loose, sandy loam that drains well. Compacted soil is oxygen-deficient, poorly draining, and detrimental to root development and nutrient absorption.
A soil test is helpful to determine the amendments needed to provide balanced nutrition in sufficient quantities.
Pests
Aphids, mealybugs, and scale are most likely to feed on weak plants. If an infestation goes unchecked, these aggressive sapsuckers disfigure and desiccate foliage.
Treatments include a firm spray with the hose to dislodge visible insects and applications of insecticidal soap or horticultural neem oil to reduce populations.
It is challenging to monitor some of the larger species for pests, and insects like the devastating South American palm weevil, a voracious beetle, can destroy a tree in months.
You may need an arborist with an aerial lift to examine and treat the canopy with a high-pressure hose.
When pest-free, palms are less likely to suffer foliar loss.
Weather
Palms that endure unseasonably cold or hot weather, strong winds, or a lightning strike are likely to suffer damage like fraying or shedding.
Proactive mitigation measures include supplemental water during a drought, frost cloth wraps for sudden cold snaps, and the somewhat controversial practice of pruning green fronds prior to a hurricane to minimize wind damage.
Those opposed to the practice suggest that the risk of nutrient deprivation and pest and pathogen vulnerability associated with the cutting of green fronds outweigh the potential benefit of a reduced canopy for better wind resistance.
Let the conventional wisdom of your region be your guide.
After an extreme weather event, use sanitized saws and pruners to cleanly sever damaged fronds and dispose of all leaf litter to inhibit a proliferation of pests and pathogens.
Know Your Palms
As we’ve seen, fraying and shedding fronds may be a natural part of growth or as a result of other factors, like herbicide absorption, disease, nutritional deficiencies, pests, or weather.
With six potential reasons to consider, you’re better equipped to understand the species you grow, meet their cultural requirements, evaluate them for environmental stressors, and display them to the best advantage.
Do you grow palms? Have you dealt with fraying palm fronds? Please share your comments below.
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