Black Spots cause for concern

[Billeb]

I’ve got a decent size Rhopalostylis Cheesmanii that I put in the ground 3 months ago and when purchased, I noticed some black spots on the petioles. Wondering what the consensus is on moving forward and how to remedy? As a note: growth has not been affected and the tree is still pushing new growth at a great speed. I do use Malathyon on other palms for mealy bugs but I’m not confident that will work here. Seems to be a mold, not infestation. thanks in advance. 
 

-dale

[Johnny Palmseed]

That is definitely an infestation. Some kind of scale with corresponding sooty mold.

[96720]

I’m no expert but looks like scale to me I would use a systemic like imidacloprid

[The7thLegend]

Looks like Scale.  Use some Neem Oil.

[Billeb]

Welp….guess I need to spray this thing down and hope it clears up. Thanks to @Johnny Palmseed@96720 @The7thLegend for the responses. 

[Andrew greg]

hello everyone