Q. We have several different Palo Verde
trees. Last winter one had brown leaves and
looked like it was dying. Come spring, it grew new green leaves and looked fine
during the summer. This winter again
several of them have brown, dead-looking leaves. What is going on?
trees. Last winter one had brown leaves and
looked like it was dying. Come spring, it grew new green leaves and looked fine
during the summer. This winter again
several of them have brown, dead-looking leaves. What is going on?
 |
| Is this Palo Verde tree dead?, The winter temperatures got cold enough to kill the leaves but not the tree. The leaves died and dropped from the tree. |
A.
Sometimes Palo Verde are called evergreen when, in fact, they may not be
in our climate. Evergreen in a warm
climate may not be evergreen in a colder climate. Whether they keep their leaves green through
the winter is a matter of climate, weather conditions, the type of tree and how
the tree is managed.
Sometimes Palo Verde are called evergreen when, in fact, they may not be
in our climate. Evergreen in a warm
climate may not be evergreen in a colder climate. Whether they keep their leaves green through
the winter is a matter of climate, weather conditions, the type of tree and how
the tree is managed.
 |
| Palo Verde trees can get quite large as this native tree in Arizona can testify. |
Just
because they are collectively called Palo Verde does not mean they respond to
winter cold temperatures the same. Some types
of Palo Verde may be evergreen during warm winters but brown leaves or drop
them during cold winters. Some types of
Palo Verde trees maintain their leaves through the winter better than others. Therefore, you’re seeing differences among the
several types you have.
because they are collectively called Palo Verde does not mean they respond to
winter cold temperatures the same. Some types
of Palo Verde may be evergreen during warm winters but brown leaves or drop
them during cold winters. Some types of
Palo Verde trees maintain their leaves through the winter better than others. Therefore, you’re seeing differences among the
several types you have.
 |
| A multi-branched Palo Verde can be a beautiful addition to a desert landscape. |
If
winter temperatures are warm, the leaves remain green or evergreen. During colder winters, leaves fade to a
yellowish green after a moderate cold snap.
If winter temperatures get colder, leaves die and turn brown. They may or may not drop. Don’t worry.
New leaves emerge in the spring and replace the dead ones, just as yours
did.
 |
| Flowers of Palo Verde are quite beautiful as in this Parkinsonia but they also shed a lot of pollen which can make life unpleasant for people with allergies. |
At
temperatures, even colder than this, leaves as well as small branches might
die. Temperatures still colder? Leaves
and small branches die and larger limbs might die as well. Temperatures even colder
than this? The tree might die. How much of the tree dies depends on how cold
it gets and for how long this cold temperature sticks around.
temperatures, even colder than this, leaves as well as small branches might
die. Temperatures still colder? Leaves
and small branches die and larger limbs might die as well. Temperatures even colder
than this? The tree might die. How much of the tree dies depends on how cold
it gets and for how long this cold temperature sticks around.
Help trees that are
winter tender by NEVER fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers after July 1st. Applications of phosphorus or potassium are
fine, but no nitrogen.