Can my Trachycarpus be saved?
The tree was transplanted from a neighbor's yard in 2007, and has done OK (with some frond drop/pruning following the transplant). Last summer, some of the new, not fully developed fronds seemed to go brown and die, despite frequent watering. The remaining fronds were fine.
During the December '08 blizzard, the lower fronds (ten or so) got weighed down by the snow/ice and then were trapped in that position by snow drifts. These fronds developed cracks at the base of the stem; they are still greenish, with the expected browning along the tips, but the stems are permanently sagging straight down. The three uppermost fronds are fine. However, I've read on here about spear damage; the tree does not seem to have a spear (which I take to mean some point of terminal growth at the top of the trunk) at all.
So....is this palm going into permanent decline followed by eventual death? Is there some way to save it, and if so, what should I do? Should I cut off the lower/damaged fronds, or just wait for them to go brown? Thanks for all suggestions.
The following thread was started by Bryan in SW PDX on February 16, 2009 at 12:27 am PST
Most of my Trachies look like what you describe right now. Last year I had to pull a few spears and they came roaring back. Only to be pounded again by this years winter. The fact that it was transplanted may be a concern. Ironically, the one I had to dig up and move temporarily, then plant back to it's spot is the one that is struggling the most. If it doesn't survive, I'm going to replant with a larger one. They take so long to grow....
Hit em' hard with fertilizer in the spring. Hopefully you did a fall treatment.
The above followup was added by marksm on February 16, 2009 at 2:09 pm PST.
... until they go completely grown including most of the petiole (stem). While they have any green, they still feed the palm.
Inspect the growth point (tip of the trunk) for any damage or rot in it. If found, pour in some copper fungicide (copper soap).
Fertilize in the spring (don't overdo it) and water well through the summer. I think there is a good chance it will be fine.
Next time there is a snow event, shake off snow from the fronds periodically to prevent this kind of damage.
Good luck!
The above followup was added by Alex, Portland-Hillsboro, Oregon (z8b) on February 16, 2009 at 3:00 pm PST.
should be:
... until they go completely brown...
The above followup was added by Alex, Portland-Hillsboro, Oregon (z8b) on February 16, 2009 at 5:51 pm PST.
Thanks, Alex and Mark. I'll do as you suggest and keep my fingers crossed. I noticed that the growth point was a bit gummy, so I'll go with the copper.
I did fertilize with a palm fertilizer in August, but is there some a particular fertilizer type that is better for Trachies?
Interestingly, although my NZ plants didn't do very well in the cold snap, every one of my Australian plants came through essentially unscathed.
The above followup was added by Bryan in SW PDX on February 16, 2009 at 8:28 pm PST.