Sick Cliff Palm

[apw]

We purchased a Cliff Date Palm Phoenix Rupicola about 15 months ago from a local date palm nursery near our home in Craigieburn, an outer suburb of Melbourne, Australia. It was well established and about 15 years old. We had their recommended landscaper do the transplanting for us.

It was planted into fairly hard soil and it was initially watered quite well and given a dose of seasol [seaweed fertiliser] periodically, as was advised by the nursery.

 

Since then the Palm has been in gradual decline. The bark from the trunk started to fall away after some months, and we contacted the Nursery they suggested that local animals, possums/cats/birds were clawing at the tree to get to the sweet sap and we should wrap the trunk in aluminium to protect it. We did this immediately. Over time we’ve noticed that this has done little to slow the decline of the the tree and the progression of the bark falling away.

The fronds of the the palm are now browning at the tips, and its clear that that our poor palm is very unwell. 

 

If anyone can please identify the problem and what remedies or action we could take to help it that would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

 

These first images are the palm at the nursery when we bought it.

 

and just after it was planted.

 

These are the most recent photos with some close up shots of the trunk.

 

 

[Danilopez89]

Looks like the trunk damage was done during the initial planting... (not real damage at all)

Did they use straps to wrap around the trunk during the delivery and or planting?

If I were you I'd just clean off the rest of the old boots around the trunk area. The palm will have a cleaner appearance with a clean trunk. Imo.

[Brad Mondel]

Your palm isn't sick at all, it just needs the boots trimmed away for a more even look. Boots naturally decay and slough off over time. 

[apw]

Apologies for not replying sooner, i've had to travel for work, But thank you both for your prompt reply and advice. My wife and I both appreciate very much!

[DoomsDave]

Just now, apw said:

Apologies for not replying sooner, i've had to travel for work, But thank you both for your prompt reply and advice. My wife and I both appreciate very much!

I concur with what Danny and Brad say.

Just for information, take a nice close up shot of the center of the crown where the new leaves emerge. Won't hurt to have a look at that.

Cliff dates are great. I've got a couple in my yard and everyone swoons over them.

Here's a picture of a cleaned off stem of a rupie, at the Big H, on Palmpedia.com, of our beloved Palm Mod's creation.