Saturday, April 25, 2015

How Florida Keys Tree Services Save Cold-Damaged Palms

By Toni Vang


It is hard to imagine the scenery of Florida without the rows of exotic palms. It is also interesting to discover that there are many, many species of these trees. But they do not have good tolerance to the low temperatures of winter, and when they become cold-damaged they require special treatment. Damaged palms can be assessed and treated by Florida Keys tree services, so that they are able to recover.

An interesting fact about the palm tree's life cycle is that its new leaves grow and mature in the summer. This is something that has to be taken into account in tending to the damaged tree. The buds or spears that are visible on the trunk are the miniature shoots from which the new leaves grow and develop. It is these spears that are used in inspecting trees and determining if they are going to survive or how bad the damage is.

After cold damage, for example by frost, the first step to take is to check the buds. This can be done by visual examination and also by carefully tugging on one with your fingers. The spear might come out entirely. If it is green, trees have a chance of survival and should be treated to assist or ensure recovery.

Once this has been ascertained, it is time to start pruning. Cut off all the dead leaves and branches. But do not prune the partially brown leaves - these are still required by the tree. They yet produce the nutrients that are needed for the growth of their replacement leaves in the summer. They are still active in the tree's structure and should be allowed to remain on it.

As curious as it may sound, a tree is also susceptible to infection by bacteria. This is a significant threat to the tree after it has suffered cold damage. More often, though, trees are attacked by fungi. In order to protect against these infections, disinfectant sprays are available on the market. These are cooper-based sprays that should be sprayed onto the spears.

Also available on the market are cold protection compounds. These are supposed to give the tree or plant more resistance to lower temperatures. Fertilizer is another issue that requires proper advice to understand. It needs to be provided at the right time. It should not be provided in winter, but only at the start of the tree's growth time, which is summer.

Cold damage does not always show its full consequences until a long time later. Trees might live on, but the damaged spears will develop into brown or misshapen leaves during the summer. It might take longer than one growth season to lose entirely the effects of the damage. Ultimately, trees might only return to their normal growth and appearance after a year.

Removing trees from the garden or landscape, or allowing them to perish, is a serious decision, since they are regarded as permanent features. It can also take a considerable amount of time to see if the tree is going to survive its cold damage. Ramrod Key Fl tree services can advise you on the status of the tree and what its prospects are.




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