Beautiful day for hurricane cleanup and we were working outside when we happened to look up at the huge Elaeis guineensis at the southwest corner of the house. We knew it had been damaged by Ian but  today we noticed the top of the crown that houses the meristem was bent over at a 90+ degree angle. Older fronds are also dying, which we had attributed to cat 4/5 winds over many hours. We now worry that this palm is actually dead. It is a beast and the prospect and cost of cutting it down chills our blood. The photos below don't do this behemoth palm justice.

My husband took photos for me to post. Can anyone give us an idea what we are facing?

Elaeis guineensis damage, Cape Coral, FL 2022

I am definitely not a palm tree expert but what I would try is cutting as much of the crown off to remove weight from the crown and try straightening it up I have done this with queens when there crowns get blown over by strong winds with good success!

I agree, it is not looking good but my own one has been through several typhoons - it got damaged every time - has been constantly attacked by the rhinoceros beetle but is always bouncing back, a very tough species I would say. 

Give it a couple weeks, it should throw new spears soon. If absolutely nothing happens until next spring, it might be a goner. 

 

Lars

I agree with Lars. My African Oil took a whack during Wilma (2005) but is now gigantic. Very tough Palm!

Thanks, everyone. We’ll give it time to recover - or not.