Cold Protection and Cold Damaged Palms

[Banana Belt]

Betrock's book "Guide to Landscape Palms" By Doctor Allen W. Meerow has a short section on page 124 regarding Cold Protection and damage recovery of Palms.  This is an excellent book that I highly recommend with at least Nine editions that show it's success. 

Top of Page 124 reads:

"Cold temperatures slow the growth rate of palms, reduce root activity, and may weaken the plant enough to make it more susceptible to disease.  Palms that have received balanced fertilization in the months leading up to the period of coldest temperatures are much more likely to survive and recover from cold damage than nutritionally deficient palms.  Frosts and freezing temperatures will kill the foliage of many palm species, and can reduce the function of water conducting tissue in the trunk."

There is more written in the book about Cold Protection, but there is one particular paragraph about recovery that is particularly important.

"If the irreplaceable bud or "Palm Heart" survives exposure to freezing temperatures, the recovery of the plant is possible, but proper care in the first few weeks after damage is essential.  Leaves with any amount of green tissue should be left on the plants." ----

This book was the first Palm book that I got on one of my many birthdays.  It is a treasure trove of information, pictures, descriptions and advice for both gardeners and landscape professionals.  It covers over 100 different types of palms and I have read it countless times, and it has me "Hooked on Palms".

[Las Palmas Norte]

I like reference books for the reasons you've mentioned. I have several and have also kept many journals from different palm societies.