Black Mediterranean fan palm trunk

[potatoes]

Hi all,

We planted two Mediterranean fan palms in our yard in central Texas last spring and today I noticed that the lower half of their trunks is black. Both of our palms have it and I don't know whether it's something "normal" or signs of rot due to over-watering?

Some of the fronts also don't look great, but I believe that may be due to some freeze damage.

Appreciate any insights you may have. It's our first few palms and I'm not drawing from a lot of experience

Thanks!

[Harry’s Palms]

I’ve never seen that on the trunk . It almost looks like a mold but the new growth on the lower pups looks healthy. Harry

[Silas_Sancona]

could definitely be something like a sooty mold, esp. if that section of the trunks are getting wet from sprinkler over spray.. 

If when you run a finger over the black stuff it leaves an ashy streak on your fingers, it's likely Sooty mold ..which is typically harmless.

That said, if any sprinklers hit the trunk(s), you might adjust them so they don't because that can invite trouble.

Here in the Phoenix area, Med fans are grown in ..pretty much every 4th out of 11 or so yards, more so in some neighborhoods than others.

While i can't speak for all of them, many specimens in my own neighborhood at least  are either on drip, or some other sub surface irrigation option.   ..Look great, even through 3 months of constant 105-110+ heat each year,  and less than an inch of rain ( last year ) all summer.

A couple examples:





>
 

[aztropic]

Palm looks totally normal for the region it is growing in. The darkened boots may eventually loosen,and be removed to reveal a smooth trunk,but in the meantime,you could trim all of them closer to the trunk for improved aesthetics.

 

aztropic 

Mesa, Arizona 

[PindoPalm]

Likely sooty mold. It happened to mine nothing bad I’ve seen it in a lot of Meds especially older specimens like yours.

[SeanK]

1 hour ago, Silas_Sancona said:

could definitely be something like a sooty mold, esp. if that section of the trunks are getting wet from sprinkler over spray.. 

If when you run a finger over the black stuff it leaves an ashy streak on your fingers, it's likely Sooty mold ..which is typically harmless.

That said, if any sprinklers hit the trunk(s), you might adjust them so they don't because that can invite trouble.

Here in the Phoenix area, Med fans are grown in ..pretty much every 4th out of 11 or so yards, more so in some neighborhoods than others.

While i can't speak for all of them, many specimens in my own neighborhood at least  are either on drip, or some other sub surface irrigation option.   ..Look great, even through 3 months of constant 105-110+ heat each year,  and less than an inch of rain ( last year ) all summer.

A couple examples:





>
 

Great Photos

[Silas_Sancona]

On 5/3/2024 at 7:03 PM, SeanK said:

Great Photos

A few more from around the neighborhood,  ....and a treat for all...









So what could be happening on Sean Drive that was worth the shot?   ..Canaries might look nice   ...but take a closer look at the " bigger picture "   Looking at the shot, the prize in the picture may be hard to sus out  ..Regardless, look closely >



2 shots...







If a two - header wasn't enough..  How about a triple ...header..?  ( 4 if you count the one that was removed at some point awhile back ) 

2 trunking Med Fans, within a few blocks of each other, just a few blocks from the house? ....Perhaps playing the lottery is in order 😁