Palm Problems Key - Trunk
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Gummy sap flowing from trunk; usually discolored (“bleeding”)
a. Bleeding from single large wound with evidence of wood rot
1) light salmon pink spores present on trunk—Gliocladium trunk rot 2)
2 ) light salmon pink spores not present; rotted, black fibers remain; often upper half of trunk.
Thielaviopsis trunk rot (Fig. 65)
FACTSHEET: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PP143
b. Bleeding from one or more widely dispersed areas throughout the trunk
1) symptoms appear rapidly and all at one time (1 to 7 days)
FACTSHEET: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP263
2) symptoms do not appear rapidly; evidence of nail hole, climbing spikes, woodpecker feeding, etc.—physical injury
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Holes in trunk
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.
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Longitudinal splitting of trunk
a. palm rapidly dying (1 to 7 days)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP263
b. palm appears to be otherwise healthy
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Tapering of trunk near the top (pencil pointing)
a. leaves chlorotic and/or necrotic
1) leaves chlorotic, but no necrosis present
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP268
2) leaves chlorotic and necrotic
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Shriveling of trunk
5. shriveling of trunk
(may be caused by deep planting, in addition to very severe drought)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP263
(may be caused by deep planting, in addition to very severe drought)
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Fungal conk (basidiocarp) present on lower trunk
6. fungal conk (basidiocarp) present on lower trunk
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Trunk collapses on itself; trunk rotted at point of collpase
7. trunk collapses on itself; trunk rotted at point of collpase
Thielaviopsis trunk rot (Fig. 73)
FACTSHEET: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PP143
- Leaf canopy falls off trunk
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Outer “bark” of trunk sloughs or peels off
9. outer “bark” of trunk sloughs or peels off
