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Since palms are closely related to grasses, they aren’t trees in the traditional sense. For this reason, they’re more vulnerable to a wide range of diseases than oaks, maples, pines, and other common trees.Caring for palm trees requires a keen eye and constant inspection because diseases can affect various palm tree parts, such as their leaves, roots, and stem. However, if you’re still learning to care for your palm trees, you might not notice a diseased palm.
The signs of a diseased palm tree depend on the type of disease and its impact and nature. You can tell that a palm tree is diseased if it exhibits these signs:
Palm trees are vulnerable to leaf spot diseases caused by different species of fungal spores that spread by wind, water, or poorly sanitized pruning tools. Besides having similar symptoms, leaf spot diseases can be treated similarly.Palm trees with leaf spot diseases typically have fuzzy, mold-like spots that are either circular or elongated in shape, forming on the underside of the fronds. While these spots appear small and water-soaked, they gradually turn yellow, brown, black, or gray as the disease spreads. Eventually, an outer ring with a different color appears around each spot.If your palm tree shows signs of leaf spot diseases, you’ll want to ensure prompt treatment. Although most leaf spots can’t kill a palm tree, catching the symptoms early and providing proper palm tree care can significantly boost the tree’s vigor and help it fight off leaf spot fungi.Start by pruning away the most infected fronds. It’s also best to use copper fungicide sprays to prevent the fungi from spreading to other leaves. You’ll want to water your palms in the morning so they won’t remain wet overnight. Use sanitized pruning tools to prevent the disease from infecting other palm trees.
Fusarium wilt is caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum that enters the palm through wounds. The fungus may also attack the tree at the roots during excessive watering or periods of heavy rainfall. When this disease infects a palm tree, the leaves in the lower part of the canopy turn brown. Moreover, brown to black streaking may also appear on the leafstalks. Over time, the palm tree loses its green color.Fusarium wilt stresses the palm tree and leaves it susceptible to secondary diseases. Applying fungicides containing thiophanate-methyl helps treat opportunistic infections that weaken the plant and prevent fungal attacks. It’s important to note that this disease has no cure. While fungicide application can help extend the diseased tree’s life, fusarium wilt will eventually kill the tree.
A fungal pathogen called Phaeoisariopsos neowashintoniae causes diamond scale, a disease commonly affecting the California fan palm and Mexican fan palm hybrids in the coastal areas and some inland valleys. This disease is relatively mild and rarely causes tree death. However, it weakens the palm tree and makes it more vulnerable to dangerous infections and diseases.Palms with diamond scale have small, watery-looking dark lesions on the upper and lower surfaces of leaves and leafstalks. These diamond-shaped fungal fruiting bodies eventually form a black stroma that grows as the disease progresses. Furthermore, the area around the fruiting body turns yellow and brown over time.If a palm tree shows signs of this disease, you’ll want to prune away its affected foliage to prevent the fungus from spreading. It’s also best to keep other plants at least two feet away from the diseased palm’s trunk and improve drainage if needed. You may consider removing badly infected palm trees and replacing them with diamond scale-resistant varieties.
Common palm tree pests called planthoppers spread a microorganism called phytoplasma, which causes lethal yellowing disease in palm trees. Almost all of a newly infected palm tree’s fruits fall prematurely. The fallen fruits often to brown or black water-soaked patches in areas where they were attached to the stem.If the tree is fruiting at the time of infection, no fruit sets because the male flowers wilt and turn black before falling off. Next, the oldest fronds turn yellow, and the discoloration advances to the top of the tree. The tree eventually dies when half of the tree’s foliage has turned yellow.Injecting oxytetracycline into the roots may save a newly infected tree. However, replacing severely diseased trees with palm trees resistant to lethal yellowing would be best.
Root rot in palm trees results from anaerobic conditions due to overwatering or waterlogging in poorly-draining soil. Its symptoms include mushy roots that are dark and soft, leaves that turn yellow, and stunted growth.Treatment involves using pruning shears to trim away infected roots. Cut the roots close to the root ball, replant the infected tree in another area, and apply a fungicide with thiophanate-methyl.
A relatively new invasive pest called Fiorinia phantasma, also known as phantasma scale, usually populates on a palm leaf’s upper surfaces. This mussel-shaped insect is roughly 1.25 mm long and may feature red stripes running horizontally across its body. Since phantasma scale aren’t seasonal pests, they may be present year-round in temperatures where palm trees grow.As the parasite eats away at the undersides of a leaf, it causes a blotchy yellow appearance before causing the leaves to drop. Additionally, the diseased palm loses its vigor and suffers stunted growth.Unfortunately, no known home remedies can eliminate this parasite. If a palm tree in your backyard shows signs of infection, you’ll want to reach out to a professional specializing in parasite removal and plant protection. Otherwise, the phantasma scale can quickly spread to other healthy palms.
At O’Hara Pest Control, we’re committed to helping you keep your palm trees healthy and pest-free. We guarantee all of our work or your money back. Our office has multiple technicians on the road, ready to handle any problem that requires immediate attention. Get in touch with us today to schedule an inspection.
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