skip to main content

Landscape Design

Foxtail Tree Looks Like It's Dying, Need Advice...

25 days ago

Hi Guys,

I have a foxtail palm tree in front of my home. The palms have been slowly drying up and turning brown the last 6-8 weeks. I currently reside in Florida and we have been facing a cold front the last couple of weeks. I currently have a sprinkler irrigation and water it once a week for about 40 minutes. Sadly I had to cut down the last few branches as they have practically withered away.

Can anyone give me any advice? Will it produce new branches in the spring? Is there anything I can buy to retire it?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
25 days ago
I am sorry, but I do not know a thing about palms. I do know, though, how sad it is to lose a tree. I hope you can save it.
0
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
25 days ago
How cold did it get and for how long? Foxtail ferns are not very cold tolerant and can be damaged at temps below freezing. Although I have no personal experience to confirm, most sources state recovering from frost/cold damage is iffy. And slow.
0
Related Discussions
Why does it look like this sugar maple is dying?
Q
Comments (77)
Just for the sake of chronicling this experience, I ended up spraying right after my last reply. It took about 3 mins and exactly 1 gallon to do all the trees and some shrubs. The wind was so calm and I knew it was my only chance. It rains here about once or twice a month yet it will happen when i need it to stay dry. It looks like some light sprinkles now.
...See More
Coreopsis tinctoria looks like it's dying
Q
Comments (6)
Great to hear your plant is doing better, ILG! I've always been taught that, especially in areas with higher humidity levels overnight, watering in the morning helps to prevent any chance of fungus taking up residence in the soil. If you don't have humidity and/or mildew or fungus issues, then watering in the evening would be ok. There also could be other factors, such as frequent winds becoming calm around dawn, allowing for less evaporation. The link below has many comments on both sides of the issue. :) Brenda Here is a link that might be useful: When should a garden be watered?
...See More
My tree looks like its dying!
Q
Comments (3)
Location would help- many oak diseases like sudden oak death are location specific. For that reason alone if you are in the USA I would urge you to contact your local cooperative extension agents office- they will have up to date information on all location specific diseases going on in your area. Find them by googling "your state+**county**+cooperative extension."
...See More
My Amur Maple tree doesn't look like a tree. I need pruning advice.
Q
Comments (14)
I had to prune mine up this spring to get rid of branch stubs left by the rabbits. The snow was so deep, the rabbits were able to nip branch's halfway up the tree. And these trees tend to explode with branches in spring, going in every direction, up, down crisscrossing and along the existing branches. Mine might have bled a little or even for a while but I really didn't pay much attention. And it would've bled from the rabbit nips even if I didn't prune. You aren't going to hurt an amur maple (acer ginnala) by bleeding anyways. Most people just let them go 'Au natural' and they produce quite a large, shrub like appearance. It's the only tree in my yard that got zero supplemental water during the drought period for the last two years. On sandy ground with sand subsoil. There are several others in the neighborhood too that are unattended and still grow remarkably well. A good portion of the leaves are gone on mine, but it just looks better, to me anyways. eta: I don't know if I'll do any future pruning. The way these trees send out new branches, from everywhere along the trunk and old branches, it may be futile. When I think about it though, I was just trying to establish a single trunk on mine, so all it takes is to snap on a 'rabbit tube' to protect it over winter. ;-)
...See More
Related Professionals
Sahuarita Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Surprise Landscape Contractors · Bainbridge Island Landscape Contractors · Holland Landscape Contractors · Mashpee Landscape Contractors · Merced Landscape Contractors · Batavia Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Dracut Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Parker Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Pecan Grove Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Salisbury Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Santa Monica Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Genesee Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Ontario Swimming Pool Builders · Rancho Cordova Swimming Pool Builders
Sigrid
25 days ago
Contact your local extension service. They're usually very responsive and they'll know a lot about your climate, including recent cold spells. And, they are professionals, not randos on the internet.
tracefloyd
24 days ago
last modified: 24 days ago
What is a local extension service?
0
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
24 days ago
Every state has an extension service sponsored by their land grant university. There are usually offices located in every county. They were formed early last century to support farmers in all things agricultural but have since broadened to include all home gardeners. They hold classes and lectures, issue publications, offer plant ID and pathology information and answer questions. They used to provide soil testing as well but the demand outgrew the ability. They are a font of local gardening info.
tracefloyd
24 days ago
last modified: 24 days ago
Yup, I looked it up and we got one! Central Sierra Co-op. Thank you!
0
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
24 days ago
last modified: 24 days ago
The Master Gardener program is also associated with the extension service. And they often provide staffing for the county offices. So not really professionals but instead semi-trained volunteers :-))
Sigrid
23 days ago
My extension service in Maine provides soil and disease testing. Both are quite affordable. They triage questions, so for ailing trees, the advice is usually from a professional arborist/tree disease specialist. If you have a question about what native plants will work in your yard, you might get a response from a master gardener, not a professional.
0
Jennifer
20 days ago
I live in Florida as well, and suspect that your palm has a fungal disease known as ganoderma. I've lost multiple palms to the disease. Older leaves die off, and new growth is pale and stunted. There is no cure or treatment. Diseased palms need to be carefully removed, as the disease is easily spread (don't mulch or chip the tree). Any tools that come in contact with the tree need to be disinfected before being used again. A good tree guy or an experienced landscaper could confirm the diagnosis readily.
0

Related Stories

LIFE You Said It: ‘They Looked at Me Like I Had 10 Heads’

By Becky Harris

Design advice, inspiration and observations that struck a chord

CHRISTMAS How to Light Your Christmas Tree Like a Pro

By Innovative Design Build

Give yourself frustration-free tree lighting this year — the trick is clever cord management

HOUSEPLANTS How to Grow Jade Plants That Look Like Shrek’s Ears

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

These cute and quirky plants can be easy-care houseplants for adding green to your desk, bookshelf or tabletop

GARDENING GUIDES Tree Care: Common Tree Diseases and What to Do About Them

By Falon Mihalic

Learn to recognize trees that may be affected by diseases or pests so you can quickly take action

HOUZZ PRODUCT NEWS Landscape Pros Share 12 Favorite Trees for Containers

By Marianne Lipanovich

Experts share the trees and tree-like shrubs they use to create a lush garden look in a yard big or small

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 12 Trees Landscape Designers Love for Containers

By Marianne Lipanovich

Turn to these trees and tree-like shrubs to create a lush garden look in a yard big or small

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 8 Reasons to Plant a Great Tree

By June Scott Design

Beauty is its own reward, but the benefits of planting the right tree in the right place go way beyond looks

CONTEMPORARY HOMES Houzz Tour: Stunning Curved Architecture Rises Among the Trees

By Becky Harris

You can see the love of nature and organic shapes at first glance. Look more closely at this Wisconsin home and you’ll also see amazing flow

UNIVERSAL DESIGN What to Look for in a House if You Plan to Age in Place

By Laura Gaskill

Look for details like these when designing or shopping for your forever home

HOLIDAYS How to Care for Your Christmas Tree

By Therese Ciesinski

Keep your tree looking lush until the last ornament is packed away with these tips for watering, using stands and more

Sponsored

More Discussions

Evergreen Clematis Snowdrift in bloom

6

landscape design

7

Exterior Help!!

2

help with exterior color siding- need ideas Please

17

Help with garden design

1