How to Care for Your Palm Trees as a Commercial Property Owner

 

Types of Palms

To decide which palm is best for your landscape, consider the climate, soil type, and aesthetic appeal of your space. Choose a palm based on its:

• Growth rate, size at maturity
• Leaf type, color
• Trunk diameter, shape
• Cold hardiness, salt tolerance

If you have a smaller space, such as a balcony or a patio, you may want to choose the Parlor, Pygmy Date, or Christmas Palms. For taller settings, you may want to go with the sabal palm, which can grow between 12 and 35 feet high, providing lots of shade with leaves that are fan-shaped and 3 to 4 feet long. The coconut palm can get much taller, growing between 50 and 100 feet high.

If you’re in a coastal area of Florida, your palm will need to be able to handle soil with higher amounts of salt. These types of palms are best known to withstand salty air and soil:

• Coconut palm
• Mexican fan palm
• Date palm

 

Essential Care Methods

Palm trees specific to Florida are dependent on two main factors: soil and climate. The soil should be more on the acidic end of the spectrum, with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. 

In Florida’s climate, palm maintenance requires regular:

• Watering
  • Like most trees, palms require regular watering, keeping in mind that over-watering could lead to root rot. 

• Fertilizing
  • 3-4 times a year
  • Add 2-4 inches of mulch to help keep moisture in and maintain soil temperature

• Pruning
  • Late spring or early summer, minimizing stress and promoting recovery

• Soil Testing
  • Should be done regularly to ensure soil has the correct nutrients and pH levels

READ MORE | Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Mulch & Why Florida Heat Matters

 

Common Diseases

Maintaining your palm through pruning, watering, and fertilizing, you can avoid even the most common diseases. These diseases can come from fungi, bacteria, or insects, and can show up as lethal yellowing, ganoderma root rot, and various nutrient deficiencies. 

Symptoms found in palm leaves include:

• Wilting
• Spots or legions
• Discoloration
• Browning, falling down

 

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