Palm Tree Care for Brown Leaves

Causes of Brown Palm Tree Leaves

What makes palm tree fronds turn brown? Knowing the root cause is important. Common causes of palm tree brown leaves are...

PALM LEAVES DIE NORMALLY

The lowest fronds are the oldest. Eventually they enter old age, with Leaf Senescence. Oldest leaves quickly turn brown. The sheaf soon loses strength & the frond falls. Some species hang onto their fronds for years. Some never lose their dead fronds - like Washintonia filifera.

But Self-Cleaning Palms always ditch them. So this process is normal.

Washingtonia filifera Palms Keep a "Skirt" of Dead Fronds
Seen Here at Leaning Pine Arboretum in San Luis Obispo

A Crownshaft Adds to the Beauty of a Palm
Plus the Other Advantage: Its Housekeeping!

Palms Amidst Tropical Rainforest Vegetation in Hawaii
Other Palms are Capable of Managing Dead Fronds

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES

Palms need nutrients for healthy growth. If lacking certain essential nutrients, brown palm leaves can happen!

INSECT INFESTATIONS

Some insects harm palm plants. Which may lead to unsightly brown spots or brown leaf tips. Possibly causing damage to your beautiful palm. Regularly monitoring for signs of pests is the best way to prevent infestation.

Here is More Info on This Pest>.

Date Palm Hopper, the Dubas Bug (Ommatissus lybicus) Feeds On Sooty Mould

ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS

Extreme weather conditions can weaken palm trees. Like excessive heat or drought. Excess watering can do the same. Cold snaps makes fronds susceptible to leaf browning, too.

Frosted Up Palm - Will This Weather Cause Browning in These Palms? Maybe!

FUNGAL INFECTIONS

Fungi love warm, humid environments. Most palms are Native to Such Climates. New growth palm plants are susceptible. Not enough water, or excessive soil moisture, without great drainage and/or poorly aerated soil create conditions for fungal growth.

Identifying Problems of Brown Spots on Palms

Identifying the specific leaf issue affecting your species of palm trees gets you effective treatment. Many problems begin with the key sign of brown leaves or tips.

Let's begin your palm tree care by looking at visible changes.

DISEASES

Wilting & Brown Fronds:

Have your palm tree leaves turned brown, or developed unsightly brown spots? Might be a sign of fungal diseases.

Best to prevent Fusarium Wilt:

• Healthy plants should have the right amount of water & an airy environment.
• Eliminate diseased fronds quickly for the best way to prevent spread.
• Try a Fungicide, but ensure it works for that species of palm trees.

Ganoderma Butt Rot is found in North America, in the U.S. southwest & also southeast Asia.

• First thing, it shows early death of old fronds. Then brown leaf tips & wilting palm fronds.
• A trunk Conk (mushroom-like growth) appears.
• Sadly, nothing can be done to help. Totally destroy the palm to prevent spread.

Serious Fungus Situation: Ganoderma zonatum Conk on Trunk Means Fatality.
More Important to Prevent the Spread Rather Than Treating

Spots and Blights:

Brown spots on palm leaves are often caused by fungus infections. Check for Diamond Scale or Palm Leaf Spot. Small spots are the beginning, varying in shape. With a telltale darkly colored ring. If they enlarge so much they merge, they're termed "blight."

Pseudocercospora Leaf Spot on a Kentia Palm - Image Credit: Scott Nelson at Flickr

Premature Nut Drop:

Shedding fruits before they're ripe may be the start of lethal yellowing. Watch for more symptoms, like yellowing fronds turning brown. Eventually sagging onto the trunk.

NUTRITIONAL PROBLEMS

Macronutrients Lacking:

Affect lowest palm leaves first. As newer fronds "hog" what's available.

• Most common is inadequate potassium soil levels.
• Rarely phosphorus deficiency.

Potassium Deficiency on a Fishtail Palm

Palm Tree Care - Brown Leaf Treatments

If your palm fronds are already turning brown, attend to it ASAP. Effective treatment for palm tree brown fronds may vary depending on the disorder. Along with how severe it is now.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Fungicide:

Are you figuring it's a fungal infection? Palm tree care for brown leaves might be a Suitable Fungicide. Try to choose one with a formulation appropriate for palms. Consult your local Extension Service for advice. Carefully follow the label instructions to use it correctly.

Improve Drainage:

Did you determine your palm tree is suffering from fungal disease? Have you checked if poor drainage is the cause? During treatment, also take steps to improve the soil's drainage. For instance, Adding Organic Matter helps ensure excess water drains effectively.

Nutrient Supplementation:

Is nutritional deficiency the cause of your palm fronds turning brown?  Specific nutrient deficits are best Identified Through Soil Testing. Your local Extension Service can help.

• Fertilizer is the answer. But use caution for choosing one.
• You'll want to address the specific deficiency. To avoid over-fertilizing with an unneeded nutrient. Especially phosphorus, which is rarely the issue.
• Using a Palm-Specific Fertilizer is recommended.

Environmental Stress:

Are ecological stresses contributing to leaf browning? Take measures to relieve the stress factors. First think, is yours the right palm planted in the right place?

• Protect Your Palm Tree from frost with appropriate coverings. 
• Is there drought? Give supplemental irrigation during droughts.

Did Your Palm Go Through Freezing Weather or Hot Drought?

• Is it getting enough sun? Is it in the best Growing Zone for that species? Does your palm have the Correct Watering Schedule?

Pruning & Sanitation:

Remove & destroy any browned (dead/diseased) fronds. To prevent diseases from spreading, or starting. Sterilize pruning tools after use to avoid cross-contamination.

ASSESSMENT

Is your palm tree not showing signs of improvement after treatment. Or is the abnormality rapidly getting worse? Our best advice is to seek professional assistance. Best to have an arborist who's familiar with palms and their disturbances.

Natural Remedies
for Palm Tree Care of Brown Leaves

You can try using natural remedies to treat palm tree leaf disorders. Remember these
remedies may not be as potent as what we've shown you. Still, they may provide some relief. Especially if you caught the problem early. Be sure to read cautions and/or directions.

NATURAL REMEDIES TO CONSIDER

Neem Oil:

This Natural Insecticide/Fungicide can help control pests and fungal infections. Dilute it according to the manufacturer's instructions. You'll spray it on affected fronds.

Garlic Spray

Garlic contains natural antifungal properties.

• Make garlic spray by blending garlic cloves with water. 
• Strain this mixture. 
• Spray it on affected fronds.

Copper Solutions:

Compounds like copper sulfate or copper hydroxide can help control fungal diseases. Use with caution as overdoing can increase browning instead!

• Dilute the copper solution as per the manufacturer's instructions. Use caution.
• Spray it on affected palm leaves.
• Some Options To Investigate...

Milk Spray:

A mixture of milk & water can be a natural fungicide.

• Mix one part milk with nine parts water.
• Spray it on affected palm tree fronds.

OVERVIEW

These natural remedies may provide some relief. Yet they may not completely solve brown spots on palms issues. It's essential to monitor the effectiveness. Use caution & consider other treatment options if needed.

Preventing Brown Spots on Palms

Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to brown spots on palm leaves. Taking proactive measures minimizes the palm leaf browning risk. Some effective preventive strategies are:

HAVE A PROPER WATERING SCHEDULE

Avoid overwatering or underwatering your palm. Adequate moisture is needed, but avoid having waterlogged soil. Watering deeply, with less frequency encourages solid root growth. Plus reduces fungal risk.

CONFIRM GOOD DRAINAGE

Proper drainage prevents waterlogged soil. We've seen how overwatering and/or poor drainage leads to root rot & other fungal diseases. Improve soil drainage by adding organic matter.

PALM-PROPER FERTILIZATION

Palm trees need the correct fertilization. Which differs for Container Palms vs Landscape Palms & their location.

• Use a slow-release palm fertilizer containing necessary nutrients in the right proportions. 
• Soil testing to monitor soil nutrients allows for accurate fertilization.

PROMOTE AIR CIRCULATION

Especially in humid climates, trim any plants overcrowding the palm's crown or trunk.

• Don't allow surrounding plants to encroach on air circulation.
• Reducing humidity levels helps lower fungal infection risk.

MONITOR/CONTROL PESTS

Regularly inspect your palms. Look for signs of pest infestations.

• Use Integrated Pest Management to control pests effectively.
• You don't want to harm beneficial insects. Or your environment.

Following preventive measures reduces the likelihood of your palm fronds turning brown.

Hiring a Professional
For Palm Tree Care of Brown Leaves

Are you still unsure about the specifics for your palm tree fronds turning brown? After looking over palm tree care for brown leaves. Then we advise seeking professional help.

We source our information from knowledgeable palm experts & our own education. But  certified arborists or horticulturists specializing in palm trees can most accurately diagnose the issue. Then recommend appropriate treatment. That's the safest action for palm tree care in leaf browning.

Hiring a professional can save you time, effort, and potentially costly mistakes. Your palm is an investment. You'll want to ensure the health & beauty of your palm trees.

Takeaways for Palm Tree Care
Brown Leaves

From fungal infections to nutrient deficiencies, several factors could cause your palm fronds turning brown.

• We've walked through specific leaf issues causing browning.
• We've shown effective treatment options. Including proactively using palm tree care for brown leaves.
• And we've shown the need to hire experts.

We hope our tips gave you ideas to avoid brown palm tree leaf problems. To forego ruining the palm aesthetics of your property.