Sylvester Palm not doing well, any ideas appreciated!

11 years ago

I have 5 Sylvester palms, all about the same size, planted almost 3 years ago. Below are pictures of 2 of them, about 20' from each other. They both get identical sun and water. Both are fertilized annually with palm spikes. It may be hard to tell from the pics, but one is doing great while the other doesn't look well at all. New fronds tried to come out, but seem to have died and older fronds have a little yellowing. the other 3 are all doing well, though some have had new fronds come out and just collapse off and die.

I'm in southern Louisiana. We've had a couple of unusually cold winters with temps getting in the mid teens, but none of the palms seemed to suffer any serious damage.

Any ideas would be very much appreciated.

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Comments (4)

stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
11 years ago
The top one might need more fertilizer. That's a lot of lawn to compete with for nutrients. Trunking container palms planted out are not like young ones with time to spread their roots. Lawns can be hard on them. You might want to cut away the lawn around the palm to a larger diameter...and the mounding is fine,if you make a well to let water sink deep. It might just be running off the rootball..and to going to the grass.

I wouldn't doubt for a second that if you pulled that top palm out,you would see no rootage into the soil.
PRO
Gabriel Growers Inc.
11 years ago
Sorry to tell you but as a Phoenix Sylvester Grower the Palm pic on top is Lethal Palm decline. I have grown over 15,000 and I only have one left on the Farm. Here in Central Florida Dade City / Pasco County we are inundated with Palm Weevil / Palm decline. Most of my Sylvestris went up to north Florida and to Georgia a colder climate and the rest of my sylvestris I actually gave away just to get rid of them. My inspector discussed that soon this palm will be quarantine as other counties in Florida. If you can pull out the center Frond or Heart and it smells the palm is done. If you would like to discuss please feel free to call me 352-277-1307

Gabriel Growers Inc. www.gabrielgrowers.com
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lkghebert
Original Author
11 years ago
I've attached an updated photo. The apparently dead spikes have opened up and seem OK. Does that change your idea on Lethal Palm decline? I'm looking for a local arborist to check it out.
PRO
Gabriel Growers Inc.
11 years ago
The tight brown, light green spear is a tell tail sign on this disease. Most arborist work on Trees, and Shrubs. Ask first, is the Arborist is Certified to identify Texas Lethal Palm Decline. I don't want you to waste money on someone who claims to know something with out proper study. What will likely happen next is the Heart or Spear will completely turn brown and in two to three months the spear will be able to be pulled out. When this happens you will smell a foul odor. You will want to remove this Palm immediately due the spreading of this disease. You had stated that you are in Louisiana. I would talk to your local extension office or Agriculture office and ask about this Palm. Most are very helpful and FREE.

Here in Central Florida we are no longer able to Ship Sylvestris to Texas nor Louisiana due to this spreading disease. That's another reason I do not Grow them anymore.

Gabriel Growers Inc.