What Killed This Foxtail?

[realarch]

Friends sent me these photos of a Foxtail along their drive which looked fine until it just fell over. The palm even had a new spear emerging. 

I'm not sure if it's fungal or if the hollowing out is caused by some critter? 

They have others adjacent to this one, and wondered if they will suffer the same fate unless there is a remedy. 

Thanks!

Tim

[Tracy]

27 minutes ago, realarch said:

Friends sent me these photos of a Foxtail along their drive which looked fine until it just fell over. The palm even had a new spear emerging. 

I'm not sure if it's fungal or if the hollowing out is caused by some critter? 

They have others adjacent to this one, and wondered if they will suffer the same fate unless there is a remedy. 

Thanks!

Tim

I can't provide any answers but just to clarify, I assume this is somewhere on the Big Island?  In the photos provided it doesn't appear that there are any insects infesting where the failure occurred.  Did they do a thorough inspection looking for signs of bugs and not find any?  It looks like whatever it was the internal base of the trunk was completely degraded.

[Davidl]

Probably bud rot but if they cut it with the weed eater could possibly be it. A lot of times in the winter where the temps are close to freezing or several cool nights along with moisture can cause rot. It is a good idea to treat the crown with some fungicide during those time. 

[redant]

_{My experience is they prefer a bit drier conditions, Looks like a very moist area. I gather this is in HI somewhere. I'm going with just rotted out.}

Edited August 12, 2019 by redant

[Merlyn]

2 hours ago, redant said:

_{My experience is they prefer a bit drier conditions, Looks like a very moist area. I gather this is in HI somewhere. I'm going with just rotted out.}

I'm glad you mentioned this, for some reason I had it in my mind that the foxtail was a swampy palm.  In habitat it's a hot full sun palm and tolerates a long dry season.  I have a couple up next to the house and the gutter downspout floods that area daily.  Maybe I ought to divert that downspout... 

[realarch]

Thanks for the comments, still a mystery. Foxtails usually thrive here in East Hawaii and seem to love the heavy rainfall. We call them 'fertilizer hogs' as they yellow quickly and require a regular feeding program.

 

Tim