Is this Ganoderma Butt Rot?

[MediaHound]

A family member has this Coconut Palm.

Is this Ganoderma Butt Rot?

Can this tree be saved?

[MediaHound]

[Ken Johnson]

That is not ganoderma. Loks like physical damage (a hole) and it is leaking sap.

There may be some insects and microbes that will go after the sap but it may not hurt the palm at all.

[MediaHound]

Hi Ken, thank you!

So just scrub it out and maybe apply some dressing to it?

[Davidl]

It looks like lighning did it but probably not because it would most likely be dead. I would spray with a fungiside and  not sure if that will help but it might. I have seen ugly sap looking fluid coming out of a veitchia and mancozeb fungicide worked well to get rid of it.

[Tad]

how long ago was the tree planted there?

the reason I ask is I have seen palms that were loaded and unloaded with a chain, or sometimes a narrow strap get wounds like that from the damage of the chain or strap. did I explain that right?

anyway, somthing to consider.

Tad

[MediaHound]

It's been planted there for something like ten years to give you an idea...

My first thought when I saw it a few weeks ago before the oozing started was lightning as well.

But it was a strange spot, usually the bolt enters/exits the top of the tree (or at the base of a branch on non-palms) not the side of a palm like you see in the photo. But now it looks very different than it did when I first notice it when I was at their house. Not lightning!

The oozing is about 4-5' up from the base of the palm for the record.

I will look into that fungicide, thank you for the tip.

If anyone else has some thoughts, I'm all ears!

[Tad]

could be mechanical damage, kids with  sticks,bats, ??