{"id":24800,"date":"2024-02-06T06:25:09","date_gmt":"2024-02-06T04:25:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.branchthetree.com\/?p=24800"},"modified":"2024-02-06T06:25:09","modified_gmt":"2024-02-06T04:25:09","slug":"what-makes-palm-tree-leaves-turn-yellow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.branchthetree.com\/what-makes-palm-tree-leaves-turn-yellow\/","title":{"rendered":"What Makes Palm Tree Leaves Turn Yellow"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What makes palm tree leaves turn yellow<\/h2>\n

Palm trees are among the most common and hard-working plants in the tropics. With their lofty fronds and stately, slender trunks they provide shade, insulation and beauty to countless homes and business. Despite their popularity, these tall plants can suddenly experience yellowing of their leaves, which can be very alarming to the owner.
\nThe most likely cause of yellowing leaves is a lack of sufficient water. In the wild, palms are exposed to an environment with temperatures varying between 12-37°C with levels of humidity consistently over 25%. However, most indoor palm cares does not have the same kind of level of humidity and in such cases, lack of sufficient water becomes a common cause of yellowing leaves.
\nOn the other hand, too much water can also cause yellowing of leaves. An important distinction here is that with too much water, the photosynthesis process will gradually become inefficient leading to yellowing of leaves rather than sudden yellowing. An overly relaxed watering schedule and inadequate drainage are common culprits here.
\nExperts suggest looking into the nutrient levels in the soil if you have checked the water and suspect something else is afoot. Too little or too much fertilizer can produce yellow leaves as well. Little nitrogen, for example, leaves palms with shorter, yellow-tinged leaves. An excess of potassium, on the other hand, can also lead to yellowing of leaves as the lack of nitrogen will produce uneven leaves.
\nPalms may also turn yellow if they don’t get the right amount of light. Palms are naturally shade trees, but when placed in deep shade they cannot harvest energy from the sun and their leaves may fade to yellow. Palms need bright, indirect light, more so during their growth stage and as they age, less light is required.
\nFinally, your palm tree may yellow if it has been subject to too much stress, whether this is due to being moved to a different environment, extreme temperature or excessive changes in light. Palms are notorious for being sensitive to sudden movement or overexposure to sun, or even for the regular ant infestations, which can cause yellowing of the leaves.<\/p>\n

Chlorosis<\/h2>\n

A condition known as chlorosis may also be causing the yellowing of your palm tree’s leaves. This condition is caused by deficiency of certain elements such as iron, manganese and zinc, and can cause the leaves to turn yellow while the veins remain a healthy green. Chlorosis tends to occur when the soil pH is too high, meaning that the palm tree is unable to absorb the required nutrients. If you’re unsure whether chlorosis is to blame for the yellowing of your palm tree’s leaves, then it is recommended that you get the soil tested for an accurate result.
\nIron deficiency is often the most common cause of chlorosis in palm trees. If the iron levels are not kept in check, the tree can develop yellow leaves, with the veins remaining green. If iron deficiency is the cause of the chlorosis, then experts suggest the use of iron-rich fertilizers as a solution to this condition. It is also said that liquid iron chelates are even more effective, as they are readily available for the palms to absorb.
\nNitrogen deficiency may also be causing the yellowing of your palm tree’s leaves. While too much nitrogen will cause the leaves to turn yellow, too little may also be the cause. If nitrogen deficiency is indeed the cause of the yellowing leaves, then it is recommended that a nitrogen-rich fertilizer be applied to the soil. This will aid in supplementing the nitrogen levels necessary for a healthy palm tree. <\/p>\n

Bacterial and Fungal Infections<\/h2>\n

Sometimes yellowing of the leaves of a palm tree can be caused by bacterial and fungal infections. These infections can be easily recognized due to their distinct symptoms of discoloration and wilting. These are particularly common in area with high humidity, due to the heavy moisture providing an excellent environment for bacteria and fungi to thrive.
\nThe most common infection of palm trees is lethal yellowing, caused by the phytoplasma, a bacteria-like microorganism that attacks a wide variety of palms and palm-like plants. Infected trees will develop yellow-tinted leaves, along with dark spots and necrotic patches at the tips. These symptoms should be spotted early, as they can spread very quickly and can lead to the death of the tree if left untreated.
\nFungal infections may also cause the yellowing of the leaves of your palm tree. These infections can often be identified by spotting thick spots that appear on the back of the fronds. It is important to note that these infections can be spread by other sick plants and even insects, so it is best to remove infected plants and palm debris away from the affected areas to prevent further spread.<\/p>\n

Pests and Dermatitis<\/h2>\n

Bugs and other pests are not common among palm trees, but if they occur, they can lead to yellowing of the palm tree’s leaves. Insects such as aphids, mites and caterpillars can all cause the yellowing of leaves. These pests tend to attack the fronds of the palm tree and feed on the energy stored in them. Their presence can be identified due to the discoloration of the leaves and the webbing on the leaves, which is caused by the bugs.
\nPalm Dermatitis is another potential problem that causes yellowing of palm tree’s leaves. This is an allergic reaction caused by the oils excreted through the skin of the tree. This can be recognized due to the yellow and brown spots on the leaves of the tree. If your tree is affected by palm dermatitis, the best solution is to cut back the affected leaves and allow the tree to recover.<\/p>\n

Palm Appreciation<\/h2>\n