Holes in Trunk of Queen Palms in Texas

[ljg]

We have 2 Queen Palms in the Gulf Coast Region of Texas which are 18' tall and 7 years old. They continually show holes in the trunks about 4 to 5 feet high varying from very small to the size of Quarter. Originally, there were only a couple, but now about a dozen. The holes do not appear to have insects. The holes are rotten in the area only. Each hole is about 4 to 6 inches and protrude downward.

Is this a diseases or insects? what can we do to stop this?

ljg

[gardengirl]

To tell you the truth I see these holes is most of not all the queen palms. I have seen patterns with the holes which lead me to believe that it had to be an animal such as a wood pecker. I have also looked up closely and not have seen any bugs or creatures lurking in the hole. I do not think you have anything to worry about. Can you place a photo up so we can all see. Maybe it is not a wood pecker and could be some fungus. You will not hear the wood pecker because the trunk of most palm trees are soft. So all you will see are the remaining holes they leave trying to find hard wood for their nesting spot.

[ljg]

thanks, let me get a picture posted. I do not think it is a woodpecker since we have not seen any around in years. The holes progressively increase in number.

[ruskinPalms]

But I have scene some queen palms like that. Your partially right I have never seen a wood pecker on a queen palm. I want to get to the bottom of this so yeah lets see some pictures.

[ljg]

Tryinig to upload the pic's but having troubles, i think this resembles butt rot based on my research. Any suggestions on uploading the pic's

[ljg]

i'm trying to upload the pic's but having trouble, meanwhile it looks like "Butt Rott" from what reseach i have down so far. I really concerned that the trees are dying.

Any suggestions on how to upload the pic's?

[ljg]

queen palm texas (1).jpg
queen palm texas.jpg
queen palm texas (2).jpg

[ljg]

queen palm texas (14).jpgqueen palm texas (8).jpg
queen palm texas (12).jpgqueen palm texas (5).jpg
queen palm texas (9).jpg

[gardengirl]

to the holes appearing. Or any damages people have been doing to it. Or is it continuing to deteriorate over time. How cold has it been in the last winters. Any little damages to the trunk could lead to trunk rot or could lead to problems during winter. When the cold comes any part of the exposed trunk could freeze and lead to fungus problems, trunk rotting, insect problems. Queen palms are very resistant to any fungus or insects or having any problems. Ganoderma butt rot is relatively new and i doubt that is it. How long have you had these queen palms? Any kids play around the palm? or does the lawn mower hit or rub against the trunk? These could all be variables...

[IthinkIknow]

LJG,

My first question would be, how long was the palm tree there for? If it was there before you moved in, the damage done appears to be from a dog. Also, when a house is built, they leave the established trees on the grounds and build around them, sometimes they become used as holders for plywood or heavy machinery.

Now regarding the holes which are growing, a palm tree is a monocot meaning, it cannot repair itself like a tree, so when a palm tree receives damage it will be carried forever. Many people use them as places to post signs and when removed, and aging setting it, the holes expand due to the monocot growth of the palm tree.

Also, before the house was built it was probably a vacant lot, perfect for neighbors walking there dogs and looking at the beautiful scenery. These same dogs appear to have left their claw (paw) marks on the tree. Sometimes these marks are high in trees, but this is just because the palm tree has grown taller and the marks continue rising with the tree.

So, don't worry so much about the trunk, diseases for the queen palm do not arise in the trunk, they arise through the crownshaft. I have seen queen palms hacked almost all the way through and they are healthy and thriving.

If you could post pictures of the crown and up close pictures of the fronds, I would be able to tell you how well your palm tree is.

[ljg]

Thanks for the responses, i will post pic's of the Crown

We planted these palms ourselves about 9 years back, they are in a garden around our pool and fenced in, so no animals have been in contact with the trees other than birds. We did plant the palms just after completing our pool and gunite retaining wall which the beds are inside of.

I did notice that one of the palms had 2 small holes (probably existing when we bought them). the base of the trees from the ground up approximately 6 feet are severly stressed. The effected areas appear to be rottening at a alarming pace now. We began to notice the sever effects about 2 years back.

Our palms normally produce a " orange fruit" by first producing green balls then turning orange, followed by falling off the tree. This year, it produced the sprouts, but the balls were nominal.

the rotten areas and the holes are approximately 2 to 3 inches deep. You can see in some of the photo's the begining of the holes.

I'm reasonably sure we will loose these trees if can't stop what is happening.

Winters are not very cold here in south texas. We may have a series of cold fronts but nothing that last longer than 2 days of below freezing temperatures. Mostly temps in the range of 50 degrees for short periods of time.

Many of our neighboors have Queens and they are all thriving, with there trunks increasing in diameter year over year and their crowns florishing.

Could it be the size if my bed limitation? i will take detail pics today

[ljg]

See attached photos

[ljg]

see attached photos

[PATH007FINDER]

Ants.... Some times when the palm in wounded in frawn sheding ants move in and you don't start seeing the damage until there long gone Hince the Large wholes left behind. I've seen alot of healthy palms with this sort of damage. If you do have ants Be sure to put an end to them or they will but an end to your palms.

Life's A Garden Dig It Up!

[Mike]

I have the same problem in West Palm Beach, FL. I discovered a woodpecker living in the hole, so it's pretty clear how the hole got there. It is pretty big, so I will have to call someone to fill it in.

[Alextheman]

maybe you can tack on some posters on them...lol...j/k...

[terryt]

My 4 queen palms have the same thing...did you find out what it was?

[gardengirl]

Any further rotting? any new foliage? I am sure it will be fine. I see holes in queen palms all the time. In fact I have some in mine. Let me take a photo of my queen and we will see if they match. If not then you may have a problem. Treatments, use ant killing granules or spray. Then you fungicide and pesticides in and around holes. After doing this, right now would be a good time to fertilize the palm. Fertilize the palm and mulch it. See what happens. If winter arrives or better said when winter arrives cover up holes with burlap or some other material other than plastic to avoid trunk freezing. You should be ok!!

Garden Girl

[Lana]

I have a 15' tall royal palm that a red-bellied wood pecker has burrowed into. the hole is about 2" in diameter and goes almost all the way thru the trunk. It is a fresh hole (the shavings around the hole are still moist and green). what are the chances of this palm surviving? the actual diameter of the trunk is about 6".

[Apple in my eye]

Woodpeckers tear up our young oaks around here so I can only imagine what it would do to a a palm tree. I like the pattern that goes around the wood too they are all lined up as if they had measuring tape and knew what they were doing. Easier said then done, whenever I pull out a measuring tape, something either goes really bad or gets worse... lol