Is my palm tree dead?

[Juan Angel]

 

[SeanK]

So historical details would help, like 

1. When was it planted?

2. When was it damaged?

I'd say that generally, if it hasn't recovered by July 4th, likely dead. If not by Labor Day (US), take it out. Some things do start to regrow, by I don't believe that they recover their original vigor, ever.

[AZ_Palm_Guy]

Also providing your location and hardiness zone would also help others. Also make sure to let us know how much water you have been providing to it and soil type. These can definitely help eliminate a few things. 

[Merlyn]

@Juan Angel it looks like it may have had a severe frost and/or bud infection that killed some of the newer fronds.  That is not too unusual coming out of winter, especially on a recent planting.  It is also possible that the newer fronds were hit or otherwise physically damaged during planting...assuming of course that it was a recent planting.

It looks like the brand new spears are growing out green, which is a good sign.  I would squirt a bunch of household hydrogen peroxide into the crown and see if it bubbles up.  If so it means a bud fungal infection.  If not, most likely physical damage.

[Juan Angel]

Thank you,  unfortunately it did bubble up. I don't think this one is going to make it. Thanks again

17 hours ago, AZ_Palm_Guy said:

Also providing your location and hardiness zone would also help others. Also make sure to let us know how much water you have been providing to it and soil type. These can definitely help eliminate a few things. 

Hello, thanks for the comments above. We live in south Texas(very hot). It gets watered 3 times a week.  Mon,Wed,& Friday

[Juan Angel]

19 hours ago, SeanK said:

So historical details would help, like 

1. When was it planted?

2. When was it damaged?

I'd say that generally, if it hasn't recovered by July 4th, likely dead. If not by Labor Day (US), take it out. Some things do start to regrow, by I don't believe that they recover their original vigor, ever.

Good afternoon,  thank you for the comments above. The palm tree was planted in February, first part of the month

[FlaPalmLover]

Do not buy another phoenix genus palm. They are, with a couple of seeming exceptions, disease prone and generally don't do well anywhere aside from the west coast. I understand the appeal of the pinnate leaves but I would look at alternatives.

[Merlyn]

@Juan Angel if the centermost "spears" are still green to the point where they go into the crown, then sometimes palms grow through it and survive.  I have saved several frost-damaged palms by using hydrogen peroxide and Daconil.  Right now I have a Pindo hybrid that got a crown fungal infection that killed 4 or 5 new fronds.  But it is slowly pushing a new spear and looks like it will survive.

I'd check to see if there is any center spears that are still green down into the crown.  If so, then dose with hydrogen peroxide every other day and squirt some Daconil mix in there a couple of hours after the H2O2.  The hydrogen peroxide is a powerful antifungal, and Daconil leaves a sticky antifungal residue.  With a couple of green spears I'd guess 50/50 chances of success.

if there is no green then the "bud" where new leaves grow could be dead.  But occasionally (like with my Pindo) even a batch of dead new fronds and a spear pull doesn't mean it is actually dead.  It's just less likely to bounce back.  There's no harm in trying the H2O2 and Daconil treatment, but chances are lower.

[Juan Angel]

On 6/5/2024 at 6:46 PM, SeanK said:

So historical details would help, like 

1. When was it planted?

2. When was it damaged?

I'd say that generally, if it hasn't recovered by July 4th, likely dead. If not by Labor Day (US), take it out. Some things do start to regrow, by I don't believe that they recover their original vigor, ever.

[Juan Angel]

It keeps growing new leaves, they die after a few days.  Tree keeps fighting,  I continue to spray it with peroxide and daconil. Should I just leave it alone or will it survive? 

[Merlyn]

@Juan Angel it may take several months to clear the infection and start growing normally.  The one big green spear is a good sign, though.  I'd keep up the hydrogen peroxide and Daconil until you no longer see bubbling, or until it's got a full set of green spears.  You can try pulling lightly on the two dead spears to see if they pull loose from the crown.  Just don't try and yank them out.  If the base is rotten it'll pull out easily.  Be careful of the thorns!  Even the leaflets can be pretty stabby...

[ahosey01]

On 6/6/2024 at 6:00 PM, FlaPalmLover said:

Do not buy another phoenix genus palm. They are, with a couple of seeming exceptions, disease prone and generally don't do well anywhere aside from the west coast. I understand the appeal of the pinnate leaves but I would look at alternatives.

In south Texas, rupicola, reclinata and roebelenii and their hybrids are generally sure bets.  Would agree on not planting canaries, dactylifera or sylvestris for most regular gardeners and homeowners.