Termites in King Palm?

[happ]

I discovered that one of the 3 archontophoenix alexandrae palms is hollow at soil line & wonder if anyone has heard of termites infecting trees. I've read that the dreaded Formosan subterranean termites can attack trees. Here are a few photos:

Any suggestions\ feedback would be appreciated.

[madagascarbob]

Across the street from me a very large CIDP fell on thier house from termites , it's bad .

[MattyB]

Happ, your hole isn't necessarily termites. In fact if it's termites you usually don't see them until it's too late. What you probably have is a normal old rot hole that's calused over. That said, I'd get in there and check it out real good to make sure it's not termites. Look for mud tunnels above ground, droppings, and such. If you're still concerned, drill a series of holes at a downward angle around the base of the palm and inject pesticide into them with a syringe or dribble it in if you can.

[ariscott]

It happens all the time here.... Foxtail is the one they prefer though for some reason. We have a few different types of termites and they are all BAD, especially mastotermis. Anyway, if you can tap on the trunk and if it sounds hollow, I would dig around the roots a little and see whether you can find any signs of termites. Then, I would get termite poison and just pour around the trees. Unfortunately, once they start getting into trees, they won't stop until it keels over. So, hopefully it is not too late for you to stop it.

BTW, usually termite attack doesn't show from the outside... Just all of a sudden, the tree goes down hill very quickly and drop dead.

Regards, Ari

[happ]

Happ, your hole isn't necessarily termites. In fact if it's termites you usually don't see them until it's too late. What you probably have is a normal old rot hole that's calused over. That said, I'd get in there and check it out real good to make sure it's not termites. Look for mud tunnels above ground, droppings, and such. If you're still concerned, drill a series of holes at a downward angle around the base of the palm and inject pesticide into them with a syringe or dribble it in if you can.

Thanks Matty. I've included another angle that appears to indicate that the roots are intact. Also no tunnels\ droppings that I can see. I'd hate to lose this palm & appreciate your comments. I live in a termite-prone area w/ native walnut trees loaded with termites

It's the tree on the right

[happ]

It happens all the time here.... Foxtail is the one they prefer though for some reason. We have a few different types of termites and they are all BAD, especially mastotermis. Anyway, if you can tap on the trunk and if it sounds hollow, I would dig around the roots a little and see whether you can find any signs of termites. Then, I would get termite poison and just pour around the trees. Unfortunately, once they start getting into trees, they won't stop until it keels over. So, hopefully it is not too late for you to stop it.

BTW, usually termite attack doesn't show from the outside... Just all of a sudden, the tree goes down hill very quickly and drop dead.

Regards, Ari

Thanks Ari. Ironically there is a foxtail close to the king palms

[MattyB]

Looks normal to me Happ. They're just pushing on each other and popping out adventitious roots. Proabably a sign of a thriving palm more than anything. I had a triple king do a very similar thing. 2 of the trunks dominated the third and actually pushed it over so much that roots broke and it got very wobbly. I wedged it upright with some large rocks and it rooted back in with a sweet lean.