Need your Help - Why did my Coconut Palm tree die?

[ChrisBajaCalifornia]

Are the pictures of the palm tree:

https://ibb.co/Xj02nvC
https://ibb.co/k9kwcrY
https://ibb.co/pj8nntj
https://ibb.co/zxT6zbc
https://ibb.co/qNff1Fm

Some notes: it is a newly planted palm tree. It was already curved and leaning when planting. Has only been in the ground for 3 months. A couple days a go two palm frawns that were green just folded over and fell to the ground. 

My gardener says a bug flew into the tree and killed it and he wants me to pay $600 for a new one. What do you think about this palm tree? 

[ChrisBajaCalifornia]

https://ibb.co/kXs7PLm --> here is the image with the green palm frawns bent over.

[ChrisBajaCalifornia]

I forgot to add when knocking on the top part of the palm stump it sounds almost hollow, I can also move the tree back and forth in the ground, like its not well rooted.

[PalmatierMeg]

How long is newly planted? I don't intend an insult but that is a stunted, sickly Cocos that looks like it's on the way out and has been for a while. I wouldn't pay $50 for it much less $600. Do you know that coconuts seldom survive much less thrive in CA? Way too tropical. What I suggest is that you look into planting a Beccariophoenix alfredii, assuming you have space for one. Alfrediis are much hardier (down to mid-20s) but look very much like large coconut palms.

Welcome to PalmTalk. Lots of info here to help you make good palm choices.

[Silas_Sancona]

Agree w/ Meg that it looks like it had issues from the start..  Any clue on how much water it was receiving from the time installed?

Notice what look like either other, much younger Coconuts or Majesty-like palms in the background of a couple of the shots, as well as some other uncommon tropical-esque trees..  Safe to assume your location is somewhere near Cabo San Lucas?

[ChrisBajaCalifornia]

Yes, exactly, the location is on Cabo San Lucas. The property has many established palms, but this one was new. Planted only 3 months ago. 

No worry about any insult, I am trying to gather information to show the Gardner.

Any details after looking at the pictures is appreciated. 

In regards to water, I am not sure. 

[Fishinsteeg234]

The palm does appear to have been suffering long before it was planted, but my guess is transplant shock and lack of water are causing the visual issues now. Usually, a new plant that size needs daily water on the rootball and surrounding soil to ease the shock on the roots. I would water daily, or every other day, soaking the rootball for the first few months in the hot spring-summer growing season. This late in the season going into winter, already showing this much stress, it might be a tough turn around for it. If you try it again, start with a younger palm planted in early spring. Smaller size palms transplant easier, and you want as much time in the ground to establish new roots before the next winter arrives. Good luck 

[ChrisBajaCalifornia]

Does anyone think that it could be a bug? the Gardner said it was a flying bug that flew into the tree, ate it from the inside and killed it. 

[Silas_Sancona]

11 minutes ago, ChrisBajaCalifornia said:

Does anyone think that it could be a bug? the Gardner said it was a flying bug that flew into the tree, ate it from the inside and killed it. 

That is possible... There is a Weevil that attacks coconuts, ( South American Palm Weevil ) but you would have to tear open the crown / top portion of the palm, remove the fiber covering the upper part of the trunk to look for bore holes the Beetles create when they dig out burrows.

If it was weevils, the palm is done and will need to be replaced.

Very little data at this point on if these Weevils have been attacking Coconuts there or across the Gulf  in say Sonora or Sinaloa on the mainland. Canary Island and traditional date palms seem to be the most documented host(s) for the Weevil's larvae at this point, esp. where they are expanding their range in San Diego County right now.

If Weevil damage is what killed this palm, this would be valuable data for those tracking the bug.

[Johnny Palmseed]

Do you have any pictures from when it was originally planted? That would help determine if it was an insect or just a sickly plant from the start.

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

It looks way underwatered.  Coconut Palms grown in desert climates, NEED LOTS OF SUPPLEMENTAL WATER, as rainfall in desert climates is never enough for them.  They can be successfully grown in desert climates, as i have seen photos of mature coconut palms with coconuts on them growing along the beaches of the Arabian Peninsula, but those palms there get LOTS OF SUPPLEMENTAL WATERING.

John

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

On 12/8/2022 at 1:03 PM, ChrisBajaCalifornia said:

https://ibb.co/kXs7PLm --> here is the image with the green palm frawns bent over.

Are those mature Coconut Palms on either side of the one you are asking about?  The trunks sure look like Coconut Palms on either side of it.

John

[Tomas]

On 12/8/2022 at 9:50 PM, ChrisBajaCalifornia said:

Does anyone think that it could be a bug? the Gardner said it was a flying bug that flew into the tree, ate it from the inside and killed it. 

Typical of bug damage are some holes visible, some chew damage on the leaves and broken leaves at their base. Doesn't look like it

[ChrisBajaCalifornia]

There are mature coconut palms on either side of the one that has died. 

[Silas_Sancona]

4 hours ago, ChrisBajaCalifornia said:

There are mature coconut palms on either side of the one that has died. 

Yea.. aside from anything else, could be that one just isn't / wasn't getting enough water..  You could advise whomever is caring for it to check any irrigation going to it and adjust as necessary, though at this point, that might not save it and it will need to be replaced.. Regardless, it will look pretty ratty -compared to the others- until it replaces it's crown w/ a new set of leaves. 

On a side note,  if, or when you have a chance,  would enjoy seeing additional pictures of other Coconuts / other interesting palms / etc growing down there..

[ChrisBajaCalifornia]

Sure, here is some pictures of other palm trees from the yard

https://ibb.co/zJMhWQZ
https://ibb.co/0VPFwzK
https://ibb.co/74tg7Ms
https://ibb.co/7N5DkSM
https://ibb.co/YhDWYqC
https://ibb.co/F6HnVSV
https://ibb.co/sJppN05
https://ibb.co/wBF7bPq

[Silas_Sancona]

2 hours ago, ChrisBajaCalifornia said:

Sure, here is some pictures of other palm trees from the yard

https://ibb.co/zJMhWQZ
https://ibb.co/0VPFwzK
https://ibb.co/74tg7Ms
https://ibb.co/7N5DkSM
https://ibb.co/YhDWYqC
https://ibb.co/F6HnVSV
https://ibb.co/sJppN05
https://ibb.co/wBF7bPq

Thanks for the addtl. pictures Chris..  Always nice to see what is growing down there.. 

Tough to pick out but noticing what might be fruit on one of the Coconuts in a couple shots?  Curious since there is a thought that the hot / dry-ish ( obviously more humid there in Cabo than further north in Baja / along coastal Sonora ) conditions make it tough for them to successfully produce fruit there.

[GottmitAlex]

In my experience, at least in La Paz, BCS, cocos grow and survive there. But they do not fruit. I do not know about Cabo, which isn't that much far away from La Paz

[HiwaKika]

6 hours ago, ChrisBajaCalifornia said:

Sure, here is some pictures of other palm trees from the yard

https://ibb.co/zJMhWQZ
https://ibb.co/0VPFwzK
https://ibb.co/74tg7Ms
https://ibb.co/7N5DkSM
https://ibb.co/YhDWYqC
https://ibb.co/F6HnVSV
https://ibb.co/sJppN05
https://ibb.co/wBF7bPq

If you have other successful coconuts nearby then that debunks the "wrong climate" theory. In hot temps, no amount of water is too much but your temps now are in its lower range. If you can easily rock the trunk after three months it sounds like the rootball was badly butchered and the transplant job killed it. For $600 (!!) where will the next one come from? Where did this one come from and are there any pics of it before transplant? 

[chinandega81]

600 pesos I would assume? 600 dollars is insane. Keep looking for different plant sources and gardeners if that is the case.