Confused about Frost/Freeze Damage

[EemedRelyt]

Hey everyone,

I have a question regarding palms experiencing frost/freeze damage. I myself am usually always careful and try to research info regarding certain palm trees to see how likely they are to survive temperatures below 32F; only on a very few occasions have I messed up and accidentally let a few palms run into some cold/frost damage. However, I have always been confused about how frost or freeze can harm some palms trees.

For example, I know that a Needle Palm can survive pretty cold temperatures to maybe below 0F. Does this mean that a Needle Palm doesn't experience frost damage and only experiences freeze damage colder than roughly below 0F? Or can a Needle Palm experience frost damage before encountering freezing temperatures around 0F?

Another question I have is, why is it that a palm tree like a Bismarck palm can survive temperatures down to the mid 20s with no damage or little damage, but if it experiences frost at around 32F then it starts showing significant damage?

Edited April 28, 2015 by EemedRelyt

[Brad Mondel]

Frost and freeze damage is variable depending on numerous factors. Needle palms are hardy to very low temperatures but that doesn't mean it won't experience some type of damage or defoliation. The lowest minimum temperature usually only indicates the survival temperature of the palm, not the ideal temperature at which it can thrive. Frost is what causes the most damage, including hard freezes. Low temperatures without frost do less damage.

Cold drying winds can desicate fronds, hard frozen soil can kill a palm completely.

Wet weather in combination with cold temperatures and water logged soil is usually the deadliest.

This can cause terminal bud rot, butt rot, fungus, and bacterial infections. Palms are more susceptible because of the cold.

Also it depends on the individual Palm. Some have better genes than others and survive while others perish.

The reason frost causes more damage is because it crystallizes the cells at a rapid rate causing cell death. While on the other hand lower temperatures without frost gradually freeze, reducing cell death.

I hope this helps!

Edited April 28, 2015 by ArchAngeL01