Frozen Pindo Palm: Is my Pindo Palm Dead?
You will probably need to wait a few weeks to determine the severity of pindo palm frost damage. According to North Carolina State University Extension, you may not know until late spring or early summer, as palms grow slowly and may take several months to re-leaf after pindo palm freeze damage. In the meantime, don’t be tempted to pull or prune dead-looking fronds. Even dead fronds provide insulation that protects emerging buds and new growth.
Assessing Pindo Palm Frost Damage
Saving a frozen pindo palm begins with a thorough inspection of the plant. In spring or early summer, check the condition of the spear leaf – the newest frond that generally stands straight up, unopened. If the leaf doesn’t pull out when you tug it, chances are good that the frozen pindo palm will rebound. If the spear leaf comes loose, the tree may still survive. Drench the area with copper fungicide (not copper fertilizer) to reduce the chance of infection if fungi or bacteria enter the damaged spot. Don’t worry if new fronds display brown tips or appear slightly deformed. That being said, it’s safe to remove fronds that display absolutely no green growth. As long as the fronds show even a small amount of green tissue, you can be assured that the palm is recovering and there’s a good chance that the fronds that show up from this point will be normal. Once the tree is in active growth, apply a palm fertilizer with micronutrients to support healthy new growth.
