Follow up-Windmill Palm turning yellow

[Allen G]

Hello everyone- This is a follow-up of a recent post of my 12 year old Windmill turning Yellow. The picture is it is now.  Some of the yellow at the bottom has turned  from yellow to brown and I should probably cut the brown off. The top of the tree is green with some minor yellow in spots but not much. It appears to be most on the lower umbrella. We had a very cold winter in SC and I do think that some of this may be wind damage.  In April, I started to notice some of the yellow and I  lightly fertilized with Palm Fertilizer (Miracle Grow-Palm Food). I plan to do it again in June. Actually, the tree does not look any worst than it did in April, just that some of the yellow has turned brown. If I cut off the brown it would look better.   What I am worried about is this lack of nutrients, disease, is it slowing dying. In 12 years I have never had a problem and never fertilized until this year.

Anoter issue, I am having trouble with this site. Every time I log in I have to change my password??  Thanks

[Scot from SC]

Your windmill is nice. As long as the spear is nice and green, I wouldn't worry too much. Sometimes the yellow spots can be from a nutritional deficiency, but if they are pinprick size, it might just be cold damage. Windmills seem to like the red clay that is present in most parts of SC north of Columbia. I have read that the red clay is similar to what they grow in their native lands of China, etc. What part of SC do you live? I think in my area (Greenwood), they seem to look a bit better in some shade even though I have them growing in both shade and sun. Northwest of me in Anderson there are windmills naturalizing in some places.

Edited June 1, 2018 by Scot from SC

[Allen G]

I live in Greenwood. I did not know that anything would grow in red clay. I went to Clemson ext office in greenwood and they suggest soil samples. Also they I'll come out nd look at the tee mine is in full sun

[Scot from SC]

You are in Greenwood? Awesome! Are you familiar with the palms around town? I think I know most of the publicly planted ones, but I would love to compare notes some time. There are many palmettos, some windmills, and some Butias. I probably will donate and plant more palms this summer at one of the parks. 

Edited June 2, 2018 by Scot from SC