a. holes present at any location along trunk

1) large 5/8 inch diameter holes; on Washingtonia only in California, Utah, and Arizona—

borer damage (Dinapete) (Fig. 67)

2) many small 1/4 inch diameter holes, often in rows—woodpecker feeding damage

3) very small 1/16 inch diameter holes, randomly dispersed; typically having sawdust plugs protruding out of hole—ambrosia beetle damage (Fig. 68)

http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/trees/beetles/platypus.htm

4) evidence of nail hole, climbing spikes, woodpecker feeding,etc.

physical injury (Fig. 69)

b. holes or wounds (1/5 to 1/3 inch diameter) in crownshaft or trunk near canopy; most common in Sabal palmetto or Phoenix canariensis, especially if stressed—palmetto weevil damage http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN139