Information and care of foxtail palm

[Patrick11]

New home owner and owner of what I believe are foxtail palm trees.

The trees seem to be cracking and chunks breaking away at the bases with some exposed roots, I've google away but can't quite identify the issue. 

We live in Queensland Australia in a some what of a tropical climate. The sides of the palms with damage face the west/north west so they get alot of afternoon to evening sun (southern hemisphere). I have a sprinkler system but don't typically use it as it rains enough and when I do I only water in the morning every second day for a few minutes. The water table is very close to the surface aswell.... digging down less then 400mm you hit clay.

I guess the first question is whether there is anything wrong with them. And if there is what to do to fix it as I love the aesthetics of the plants and the natural privacy block they provide.

[aztropic]

That is sunburn damage! Afternoon summer sun can cook/kill the living tissues on the west side of a crownshafted palm. Usually doesn't affect the health of the palm,but nothing you can really do to make it look any better either, other than remove/start over...🤷‍♂️ 

 

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona 

[peachy]

I don't think it's anything to panic about,  usually it's just a symptom of growing too fast. I would however remove all the weeds from around the bases, minimum 50 cms, more if you have the enthusiasm and energy.  I put chook poo pellets around the outer part of the cleared space then mulch over it all. Apart from a few pale leaves (usually fixed by regular feeding) they look pretty strong and healthy to me.

Peachy