Royal Palm and lightning

[Cynthiaald]

I live in Rincon, Puerto Rico and have a group of royal palms, many are 40' tall. During the summer one of the smallest was hit by lightning and lost its head. Is it surely dead? If so, can I take it out roots and all? It is in close proximity to others and I'm afraid the roots may be all tangled together. Any help I would appreciate.

[palmislandRandy]

It's surely dead. Most palms that get hit by lightning don't survive. Digging it out shouldn't bother the nearby palms. Just don't take too large of a root ball. Are you planning to replace it?

[KennyRE317]

if it was me I wouldn't dig down too far, just dig down enough to see the main roots and saw off the trunk right below the root line. the old roots will decompose pretty quickly

[Cynthiaald]

I will not be replacing it as it was much smaller than those nearby and starving for sun thru the canopy of the neighbors.