Foxtail Problems

[redant]

I have many foxtails, most very trouble free easy to grow palms. 2 have some issues that I'm trying to figure a solution to.

Palm #1 has many vertical (up and down the trunk) cracks in the trunk  These cracks have now started to ooze a lot of sap. The sap is of course attracting insects. This palm is not as green or robust looking as the others and seems to be slowly declining as the cracking seems to be getting worse.While I don't believe the insects have anything to do with the decline or the cracks I did a preventive spray of liquid 7 just incase. Anyone ever seen anything like this? Anyone ever fix a situation like this? I was thinking of trying some pruning sealer on the palm, figure what do I have to loose?

Palm #2 was my fasted most robust foxtail for 2 years, then the hurricanes hit. It was torn up a bit like the rest but seemed to be fine, no spear damage. Now out of the blue all the lower fronds look like toast. They crisp right up, all brown and crunchy. New fronds continue to come out but then toast up way to soon. This palm only holds 2 or so green fronds, the rest are dead. I fert and water this palm the same as the others near by, every one else looks great. all other plants by this palm very healthy, no signs of any problems. Any thoughts?

[Walter John]

Any photos at all ?

Are they in ground ?

[Dave Butler]

Just a couple more details, Like did this all happen after the storm or before. I`m talking about palm1 and palm2.

Lets assume it was after, the cracking in trunk was most likely caused by high winds blowing the tree back and forth. I have seen this happen before. My guess the other palm had some disruption to the root system. Just my opinion without knowing the exact chain of events that led to your palms misfortune.

[redant]

Wal, I'll post a couple later.

I never noticed the cracking on palm 1 until after the hurricanes and believe they may be the cause. Problem is it seem to be getting worse and the weeping of sap is a definite drain on the palm.

Palm #2 has no signs of any damage anywhere to trunk or roots. It's protected a bit by the side of the house so had less wind then many other palms.  I had several foxtails that had some root damage and now look great.

[Alan_Tampa]

I could be way off; but perhaps lightning is to blame?

Alan

[redant]

(Alan_Tampa @ Jun. 27 2006,10:53)

QUOTE

I could be way off; but perhaps lightning is to blame?

Alan

I doubt it, lightning is much more fatal, much quicker, seems to blow the crown right off of most palms.

[Dave Butler]

I have seen people wrap there palms with a cloth or burlap, like a bandage on deep splits. Give it a try what do you got to lose. Now as far as whats under this so called bandage is beyond me. Palm 2 is in some sort of shock let that be and see what happens. try to close up that split on palm 1

[Dave Butler]

I think I might have bad news  more than likely palm1 is going to bite the dust. Did a little research on splits and cracks in palm stems and in almost all cases they die, sorry

[redant]

(Dave Butler @ Jun. 27 2006,22:27)

QUOTE

I think I might have bad news  more than likely palm1 is going to bite the dust. Did a little research on splits and cracks in palm stems and in almost all cases they die, sorry

I'm guessing you are correct. I have little faith that this will not eventually kill the palm.

[redant]

Well good news bad news regarding my palms. Palm #2 seems to have the same weeping sap on the base as palm #1. I also have noticed bits of sawdust extending out of the trunk. Further research has led me to this bit of info...

The Foxtail Palm has recently shown a propensity for harboring palm borers.  If left untreated, this pest can cause the palms to decline.   Look on the trunk for what appears to be grayish "pins" sticking out perpendicularly to the trunk, and in advanced cases, a "weeping" of brownish sap streaking down on various places on the trunk.  A professional palm care specialist like myself should be called in the treat the palm with a systemic pesticide, and a concentrated nutritional drench.

These palms are now on a diet of systemic pesticide, hope it's not to late for these two!

All who have foxtails should do early inspections of the trunks for these nasty critters!

[gsn]

first post

redant,

You mentioned earlier you might post a pic of the foxtails?

Was wondering if you might post a pic of the infected palms,so other who have foxtails  might know exactly what to look for.

Another quick question,I was under the impression that there is no treament for palm borers?

thanks in advance

[redant]

I'll add some pictures when I can, but look for oozing sap and what apears to be saw dust pins coming out of the trunk, kind of hard to miss.

You may be correct that there is no solution to this problem, I found my information regarding using a systemic pesticide here

I hope this works, I'm using the Bayer tree and bush version as you can water into the roots. I'll post some photos when I can and keep all advised of any progress or lack of.

[gsn]

redant

Was just wondering how your foxtails were responding to the systemic treatment for the palm borers?

Any update would be appreciated.

thanks

[redant]

The saw dust pins coming out of the trunk have stopped forming, a very good sign IMO. The palm still seems to weep sap but is very sporadic about it. None for weeks than a massive flow of sap. The palm still looks pale green, if it every does become healthy again I presume it will take a while. I still have hope as I feel the insects have been exterminated, no sign of activity.

[galveston1602]

Id be very interested to see what this actually looks like, I was just noticing some wierd bumps on my foxtail today...

[redant]

I promise to add some photos.

[redant]

As promised

[redant]

another

[gsn]

redant,

Thanks for the update,and the pics!

That is some nasty looking stuff.

Hopefully the bayer treatment will bring it around.

I have some very small bumps at the base of two of mine,but they look nothing like that. There is no cracking,or weeping sap,at least at this point.

Again thanks for the pics,I really wanted to see exactly what you were talking about.

[redant]

Many of my foxtails develope bumps on the trunk while others are very smooth, this does not seem to be a problem or the development of what I have.

[galveston1602]

thanks for the pics, thats definetly different from what im seeing.. (thankfully)

I think mine are caused from too much water?

[redant]

Well both of my sick foxtails are now history. Took out the second today. While it still had a grren frond or two I knew it was all over. This is what the inside of the truck looked like.

[redant]

If you have ever seen a healthy trunk cut open you know this is very bad.

My advice, the sooner you take them out the sooner you can plant something healthy.

[spockvr6]

(redant @ Oct. 27 2006,13:08)

QUOTE

My advice, the sooner you take them out the sooner you can plant something healthy.

I agree.

I waited on an Adonidia earlier this year (since it was one of three in a group), only to see the same look to trunk interior as your photos after I cut it down.