How to Heal a Scraped Palm

Examine the growth above the scrape. Look for subsequent damage in the form of wilting fronds. Remove any wilted fronds by snipping them from the tree with a pair of pruning shears. Cutting off the damaged fronds helps remove a potential source of rotting vegetation that can attract pests or lead to bacterial infections, both situations that may be too stressful for an injured palm.

Rake up any loose vegetation from the soil around the base of the scraped trunk, such as dropped fronds and fallen fruit. Keep the soil around the injured palm clean and free of debris.

Treat the scraped area by wiping away any oozing sap with a clean cloth to reduce the risk of pests that feed on sap.

Spray the area over and around the scrape with a fungicide solution containing copper hydroxide, following the application instructions on the package label. Fungal infections pose the greatest risk of death to palms with open wounds, including those from scrapes, incorrect pruning and frost damage.

Wrap the scraped and treated area of the trunk with tree wrap tape after the fungicide feels dry to the touch. Tree wrap will help protect the scraped area from sun scald, a condition that can lead to excess moisture loss and subsequent tree death. Remove the wrap to retreat the scrape with the fungicide solution as often as recommended by the product manufacturer. Remove the wrap and leave it off when the wound shows signs of healing. The formation of a callus over the scrape signals that the injured portion is healing properly.