Frost Damaged Sago Palm Care

Question

Our large sago palm suffered frost damage. Most leaves turned brown except for the center vein. A few in the top center remained green. The person who cuts our lawn cut off all the leaves from the sago, leaving just the trunk. We had already trimmed off the lower branches a few days before, leaving the crown. When I saw what he had done, I asked him why he cut off the remaining leaves. He claimed that the tree will put out new leaves and that the old leaves were dead and did not nourish the plant. I am heart sick, as I think they were providing some nutrients for the tree. Has he killed/harmed the tree? Can I help the tree at this point? Is what he did correct procedure? Please advise.

Answer 1

This cold has damaged many plants this year. You will need to remove the yellow and brown fronds this spring but only those as they will not come back. Just use sharp shears to do so. Do not remove green parts of fronds. These articles will help you as well: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/how-to-tell-if-a-plant-is-dead-and-how-to-recover-an-almost-dead-plant.htm , https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/tips-for-saving-cold-damaged-plants.htm It is hard to say how well they will grow back. Sago palms do not deal well with lost fronds, but they have been known to recover fine.