03/06/2026
PSA
From your Urban Tree Doctor
Thank you all for your patience and concern regarding your tropical palms. Specifically the Royal palms, Foxtail palms, and Christmas palms. We haven't experienced these temperatures on Feb 1 & 2, 2026 for a long time. More importantly, we have only been brave enough to plant tropical palms or plants within the last 10 years on average, despite having historic warmer weather. We have paid for it.
The question everyone has been asking: is my palm going to make it?
Note: this reply is for tropical palms only. Larger date palms did not have cold damage
Palm outcomes will vary based on the palm type and its location in your yard. We had 2 consecutive nights with temperatures of 25°F or lower in some areas. I have spent my time since the freeze, about a month now while we wait, to determine our next steps to let everyone know what to expect. I reached out to several UF palm researchers I know as well as colleagues in the Miami area where I grew up to truly grasp what we are dealing with and our reality that is starting to sink in.
What I have gathered are the following guidelines. Some of you will not be patient, as I probably would not in my own yard, and others may keep your palm longer than necessary. Hopefully, this knowledge will help you make your decision as we continue to ride this wave with you.
A tropical palm's survival depends on whether it reached 28°F or colder at your home. If everyone had a weather thermometer outside near their palms, you would know exactly what to do right now. Otherwise, we are seeing palms needing more time to show any new sign of life, between three to six months total to determine new growth and what that will look like. Which is at least until May when most palms start to develop flowers.
Here are some facts to consider in my quest to be the best Tree Doctor. All palms receiving fertilization will have a stronger immune system and a better chance of recovery than others without consistent care. Mature royal palms will do better than smaller ones. Foxtail or Christmas palms covered will most likely make it. Foxtail and Christmas palms not covered including the tall ones most likely will not make it.
Could your palm sustain temperatures at or above 28°F and remain uncovered? Definitely. Below 28°F? Probably not. The difference will be about 3-5 degrees with knowing temperatures in the low 20's depending on your area. And why it's been difficult to give everyone a direct answer of what to do. If a palm is labeled as a tropical palm with hardiness zone 10 or higher, most likely it may not recover if you didn't cover your palm.
Here are some early signs of more likely replacement will happen: Do you see sap or staining outside of the lower part of the trunk? Yes? Then the tree most likely will not survive.
Is your top growth still green? It will make it. Did you pull on the center-folded new growth spear while it was still intact? It's going to make it. It just needs more time.
When should you prune? In May (If you can make it that long).
Exception are Areca palms. Can prune off the tops since their growth regenerates from the base of the multi-trunk palm.
We will apply the recommended copper fungicide to all tropical palms during their normal treatment within the next 3 months, or we can treat them now if you prefer. For those who decided to start early with us with an additional treatment, you will receive 2 copper fungicide treatments to protect the crown from developing diseases and bacteria.
We are also working with a new product that enhances apical meristem growth at the tip to promote new growth and leaves. It's not fertilizer! It is a growth hormone that initiates cell division. When we visit your property, we will give the palm comprehensive treatment, including both fast- and slow-release sources of nutrition. Stay tuned as we watch how our treatments support faster recovery from cold damage and improve health. Ultimately, the extent of the damage and each individual palm will have its own recovery timeline. It is up to them to bounce back. All we can do is support their recovery.
Please email us, we will address everyone's questions as best we can, providing specific help for each palm, including pictures, yard details, and palm type.
We are with you all the way. If your Royal, Foxtail, or Christmas palms do not survive, we will order replacements and offer an installation price from my contacts to restore your landscape.
This has been a historic event. A sad set of circumstances has left us heartbroken. As a Floridian, we can make it and in another 3 years this will become old news. And it may take that long to flush several times before having the palm full again. For now, we are here for you and your trees.
Thank you for entrusting us with your trees! We feel the pain too.
We’re here to help answer any questions or to evaluate your trees and plants following a major cold event.
Jennifer Hitchcock
The Urban Tree Doctor
Tree Care You Can Trust
