Foxtail with fungal issue. Ganoderma or bad hygiene related rot?

[Joey40202]

Located in Southwest Florida. The tree went through Hurricane Ian so Hurricane stressed and had multiple leaves removed before store to keep it from blowing over (I know its not recommended). The conks have been around for about a year and a half. As you can see, I also have or orchids, bromeliads as well as Joseph’s coat growing around the tree and the roots get a quick watering via a garden hose hit every few days. I did not plant the palm and it Appears the prior individual who planted it planted it to high above ground based on the root placement to the soil. Root growth is over active on the west side of the tree and appears under-active, or stunted, on the east side of the tree as you can see in the photos .

My question is, can anybody definitively, without guessing, confirm this as Ganoderma based on the photos of the Conks? 

It has had stunted Fond growth (as seen) for the last year almost. However, the seed pod is beginning to open but again very stunted. I presume this tree is going to die but I also wanted to make sure before I cut it down that it’s not a fungal growth that is not a terminal issue due to the fact that it gets watered and it has shade/coverage around the exposed roots due to the plant growth in the beds?  
 

I have Applied some “antifungal agents”that are found around the home i.e. vinegar , bleach, cinnamon, even concrobium (for mold remediation) to only the area remaining once a conk is removed.   Basically,  just experimenting for the fun of it. I’ve also applied directly to the conk removal area Physan 20.  I figured the tree is a doing to die if it is Ganoderma so no harm in experimenting. 
 

Thank you in advance for all guidance! 

[aabell]

Yes that's ganoderma. Hard to diagnose what caused the initial decline, but it looks too far gone to recover even if you could magically remove the fungus, which you can't. It's a goner. 

[Merlyn]

Though not your original question, I'd guess that it looking high in the ground is just due to the expansion of the base and growing new adventitious roots.  I have a couple of foxtails that started looking like that about 3-4 years after planting them.

As far as Ganoderma goes, have you ever seen it form into the flat, semicircular "shelf" shown in figures 3, 4, and 7 here?  https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/PP100

The reason I ask is that there are a LOT of fungi, some of them form that sorta randomized "blob" of spongy mush.  If the conks all grow out into a blob and are only below the watering line then it might be something benign like a slime mold.  Figuring that out is important, because Ganoderma weakens the lower trunk before the palm actually dies.  A good storm could then topple it onto your house.

[Joey40202]

Thanks for the comments. I have not let the conks mature due to concern of spores spreading. I do not know if they form a shelf like the ifas link shows in the photos. I am not sure at what stage the conk becomes viable for releasing spores so I have been reluctant to let them grow. Per the ifas article I know if it starts getting a rusty powered on the conk then spores are released.
I completely agree that the palm is a hazard given it be Ganoderma zonatum. 
I guess the next step is to let the conk grow and see if it takes a shelf shape and if it does then immediately harvest it before it matures any further…..
 

 

[SeanK]

Sorry for the loss. In hindsight, once the conks appear, it's time for the chainsaw.

[PalmatierMeg]

Palm is terminal. Put it out of its misery and destroy the remains.