It is normal.

If it is what I think it is?Any pictures would help.

Is it planted in full sun?

I agree that it's likely normal, especially if it's right out in the sun. Photos help.

Hi all, Sorry I found this website last night after it was dark. Pics are below. Yes, it is in full sun. Thank you so much!

The dust/fuzz if normal for a Bismarkia, but that palm looks dead to me.

ditto

Oh man, that is disappointing. I've had for 5 years and it's been fine until about 2 months ago. It is still showing new growth though (new shoots coming out).

What happened 2 months ago? Was it cold? Takes a fairly extreme event to kill such a palm so quickly and completely. Was it recently moved? Not much living around it… watered regularly?

Watered regularly, everything has been the same. Been in the same spot for 5 years. I do have gophers around, but they have never been around this tree. They have killed trees before though. I will try the potassium. Thanks everyone!

Also, we live in San Diego, no cold spells here.

Just get another... in San Diego, they should be fairly inexpensive and you can try again... but look carefully for gophers.. maybe put chicken wire around the root ball this time. Grown many a Bismarckia and have not lost one yet... pretty hard to kill, though they hate being transplanted.