Queen Plam Sap Running Down Trunk Dead? or Alive?

[VLyn]

We have 5 queen palmss along our drive. Since this freeze this winter we have lost all the frons which we cut the dead off. Leaving little foliage left - I had C5 xmas lights around the bulb of the trees but not the trunks. On 2 of the palms there is a copper color sap that has ran down the complete tree trunk. Sap flows all the way to the grass below. Do u think these trees are dead? Is this an indication that they will die? The others seem to be ok. They were planted in 2009 and came at 12' tall and very much alive and mature. The pic is one i found, but it shows the sap color and what is happening. However mine are worse "this copper colored sap covering the complete trunk" of the tree.

Edited February 12, 2014 by VLyn

[LJG]

Bad news. Looks like bleeding stem rot caused by the Thielaviopsis fungus. Dead for sure.

[_Keith]

Did the stem pull? Either way don't give up yet. Pour peroxide into the crown and repeat after every rain. Fertilize as normal. You may be surprised. I know in the past, i have been amazed at the things that come back, sometimes not until mid summer.

[Alicehunter2000]

Hi VLyn....has the spear pulled out? If not there might be hope. Mine is "bleeding" some also but the spears are tight. I will continue to pull on the spear and treat with full strength peroxide every few days. One last thing that you can do if the spear pulls out, is to cut the head of the palm down until you see clean, non-brown, tissue. Pour on the peroxide. I have saved 4 large palms using this method. I had posted some pictures of the method, but can't seem to find the thread. Don't give up, queens can come back from pretty radical amputation because they grow so fast. Welcome to Palmtalk.

[Alicehunter2000]

here is a C. alba that didn't transplant well......notice how far it was cut back.

here is another that was recently damaged.....and the operation after the spear pulled.

[LJG]

Do yourself a favor and click here:

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp143

[_Keith]

Do yourself a favor and click here:

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp143

With cold on my mind, I assumed cold was the culprit, but Len is right. Read that article carefully. See if there is a local ag agent that will come take a look.

[VLyn]

This is not sounding too good for me. I am posting the actual photos of the tress here. When you say "pull the stem" are you talking about the top where the bulb is? These trees are very tall now maybe 20'. I do not think it is a fungus due to the fact this just occurred after the five days of 20-18 degree days. It was immediately after that - that the fronds turned brown, and the sap appeared. So my best guess is the freeze made this happen. If you can offer any further info on this after looking at the actual pics.. I would very much appreciate it. Please look at the photos below they are of the actual trees BEFORE and AFTER. We had Lisenby Palms plant these so maybe I will need to call them. The owners are very nice and helpful.

[LJG]

It's a fungus. And the longer you leave the dead palms there, the better your chances it will spread to your other trees.

[VLyn]

It's a fungus. And the longer you leave the dead palms there, the better your chances it will spread to your other trees.

Wow this is just bad news - i called my nursery and maybe i will have to get some Mules and plant in place of these. Thanks so much for all ur help if i get any different news i will post what i find out - time to make some call i guess. Thanks again.

[PalmatierMeg]

Sorry about your losses but mule palms will be a much better alternative.

[VLyn]

Hi VLyn....has the spear pulled out? If not there might be hope. Mine is "bleeding" some also but the spears are tight. I will continue to pull on the spear and treat with full strength peroxide every few days. One last thing that you can do if the spear pulls out, is to cut the head of the palm down until you see clean, non-brown, tissue. Pour on the peroxide. I have saved 4 large palms using this method. I had posted some pictures of the method, but can't seem to find the thread. Don't give up, queens can come back from pretty radical amputation because they grow so fast. Welcome to Palmtalk.

Ty so much Alice - I have a call in to my Nursery and hope there is a solution. I will be sure to keep ur post in mind. Thank you for your welcome also.

[WestCoastGal]

VLyn, I've seen photos of stained trunks and even seen a little bit of staining on some of our mules on rare occasion (sometimes have seen a thicker resin sap) usually in the spring but can't say I've ever seen the amount of staining your queens are exhibiting. But I've also not had a tree loose its fronds like that either. Your pre-yard photo looks great and I can understand your concern over losing these two palms. They nicely balance off your driveway area.

Given you have had this freezing period which took out the fronds, I can see why you're hoping the staining is more temp related than infection and that the trees might come back. When we've noticed some slight staining or the amber-like resin on our palm trees it has seemed to be observed when the temps suddenly rise quite a bit after a cold period, and we've considered trunk rot infection as a possible cause, but ended up chocking it up to the natural flow of starches in the sap within the tree seasonally. In fact after we had the really cold December weather here recently (down to 23) when the temp then went into the 70s is when I think we last noticed a spot of resin between two boots on one of our trees. In our case it's minimal however, the coloring doesn't last and the resin disappears so you wouldn't even notice it was there at some point. I know palms aren't trees structurally but I grew up around maples and it makes me think of how the maples produce sugary sap in the spring when the temps start changing and you collect it for maple syrup. I think calling your nursery guy is probably a good idea and most likely he will have seen this before in your area and know if it's the palm trees response of sap flowing and no fronds to feed it into or if the tree got infected during the stressful freezing wet temps.

Please let us know what he thinks. Given how widespread the freezing has been in your part of the U.S. I would think we will be hearing from others in a similar situation.

Your butia in the background near the fence looks great and unfazed by the recent weather.

[VLyn]

VLyn, I've seen photos of stained trunks and even seen a little bit of staining on some of our mules on rare occasion (sometimes have seen a thicker resin sap) usually in the spring but can't say I've ever seen the amount of staining your queens are exhibiting. But I've also not had a tree loose its fronds like that either. Your pre-yard photo looks great and I can understand your concern over losing these two palms. They nicely balance off your driveway area.

Given you have had this freezing period which took out the fronds, I can see why you're hoping the staining is more temp related than infection and that the trees might come back. When we've noticed some slight staining or the amber-like resin on our palm trees it has seemed to be observed when the temps suddenly rise quite a bit after a cold period, and we've considered trunk rot infection as a possible cause, but ended up chocking it up to the natural flow of starches in the sap within the tree seasonally. In fact after we had the really cold December weather here recently (down to 23) when the temp then went into the 70s is when I think we last noticed a spot of resin between two boots on one of our trees. In our case it's minimal however, the coloring doesn't last and the resin disappears so you wouldn't even notice it was there at some point. I know palms aren't trees structurally but I grew up around maples and it makes me think of how the maples produce sugary sap in the spring when the temps start changing and you collect it for maple syrup. I think calling your nursery guy is probably a good idea and most likely he will have seen this before in your area and know if it's the palm trees response of sap flowing and no fronds to feed it into or if the tree got infected during the stressful freezing wet temps.

Please let us know what he thinks. Given how widespread the freezing has been in your part of the U.S. I would think we will be hearing from others in a similar situation.

Your butia in the background near the fence looks great and unfazed by the recent weather.

Yes I went out and took a closer look at all of the trees I can see bubbles of sap on the others and some staining also but it is light in color compared to the two tress I posted but again yes it looks like a Maple trees dripping sap I do know what u r talking about as I am from Ohio. I called my nursery and they were not sure and suggested I call Bay Co. Ext. Ofc. which I did and sent photos to them also. So I am waiting to hear back when I do I will be sure to share anything I find out. I so hope this is not a problem but fear it may be. Thanks for ur concern I am sure worried I may get bad news.

[Angie san antonio]

Hello Vlynn and all,

what was the final diagnose of the Sapp from the pls Tree ? I am seeing the same thing here in San Antonio after a recent fluke freeze

Thanks angie

[Kandrewp]

What was the final conclusion on this issue of sap flowing from queen palms after a freeze? Did the tree die or come back? I have a queen palm with sap after the latest feb 2021 Texas freeze and not sure if my tree is dead or alive or dying or will come back. Help!!! Anyone?? Andrew

[chalupaboy13]

Bumping this tread as I am having the same issue on several Queens in Houston

[Monica143]

Did anyone get an answer?  My palms have done the same after this last freeze. 

[Tgant]

I have 11 Queen palms, about 10 years old and 20-30 feet tall on Galveston Island. Freak freeze saw 2 days in tbe 20's. Palms bled like a horror movie and all fronds died, but almost all palms lived. Sap leaking was definitely just from cold.

[Pamela Hill]

I have what people call Christmas tree palms and noticed woodpeckers pecked holes all around the trunk in several spots and there is sap running from the holes.It has stained the trunk also.I would love to save them but am worried they are to far gone