White Fungus on Fan Palm

[Chrishan]

Hi we have a fall palm in our garden but it has developed a strange white fungus. Not sure how to treat it? If it is going to kill the tree as it’s not doing so well since this has appeared?

 

Many thanks 

Chris

[John2468]

To me, it looks like normal waxy coating on new fronds.

[Chrishan]

It’s that the tree does not look as healthy as it did and has brown patches as well??

is this normal for this tree as it didn’t look like this before??

[aztropic]

Totally normal appearance for that species. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that palm other than it has been WAAAY, WAY over trimmed. Fronds should be allowed to grow out completely horizontal as a minimum,but most people would tell you not to cut a frond until it has turned Brown. By removing fronds prematurely,you are limiting how much food the palm can make for itself through photosynthesis,and it will always be declining if you keep over trimming.

[PalmatierMeg]

1 hour ago, aztropic said:

Totally normal appearance for that species. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that palm other than it has been WAAAY, WAY over trimmed. Fronds should be allowed to grow out completely horizontal as a minimum,but most people would tell you not to cut a frond until it has turned Brown. By removing fronds prematurely,you are limiting how much food the palm can make for itself through photosynthesis,and it will always be declining if you keep over trimming.

ouch! Totally agree. Back far away from your palm and drop the loppers. If you didn't cause that carnage, find another landscaper, one who truly knows how to care for palms. Wouldn't hurt for you to do a little research, too. Try Palmpedia; it's free so won't cost you more than a bit of reading.

[Fusca]

The majority of what I see is normal for Chamaerops humilis (white tomentum) but it looks like there's some sooty mold in there too in pics 1 and 3.  I suspect you're in a humid climate.  This palm is particularly sensitive to overhead watering in the crown so avoid that.

[Harry’s Palms]

My Pritchardia gets the same white stuff on the petiole and bottom side of the frond. The browning is probably trapped moisture in the crown as Fusca said. Harry

[Chrishan]

Thanks to everyone for the information, it has been a great help👍👍

[Merlyn]

@Chrishan I'd squirt a little hydrogen peroxide onto those fronds and into the crown, just to see if there is a fungal infection.  The sooty black mold and brownish spots make me think it might have a mild phytophthora crown infection.  Except for overpruning, though, it looks pretty good!