Queen Palm Tree Diseases: Identification and Management

Overview

Queen Palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana)—stately single trunk, drooping canopy. Bright orange ornamental dates against green fronds in winter. 25-50' tall, 15-25' wide. Popular in commercial areas and streetscapes in Zones 9-11.

Diseases and Maintenance

Generally disease-resistant. Proper maintenance enhances resistance. Plant in sun, acidic well-drained soil. Regular irrigation and fertilization. Avoid trunk injuries and excessive frond removal.

Major Diseases

Fusarium Decline

No chemical treatment. Remove/destroy tree. Symptoms: lowest/oldest fronds yellow, then brown; progresses upward until canopy brown; tree dies.

Ganoderma Butt Rot

Discolored fronds, wilting, decline. Lower 4-5' trunk rots; basidiocarps (conks—shelf-like fungal protrusions) appear. No cultural/chemical control. Remove tree, stump, all roots. Don't replant palms in same area—fungus persists in soil.

Pink Rot

Affects stressed/weakened palms. Spots on rachis/leaves, spreading along tips, bases, trunk. Stunted, distorted new growth. Fungicides may help until conditions improve (apply per label). Untreated: decline and death.

Texas Phoenix Palm Decline

Flower necrosis/premature fruit drop; oldest frond discoloration. Bacterium spread by sap-feeding insects. Rapid kill. Remove if >⅔ canopy affected or spear leaf dead. Antibiotic injections every 4 months for tree's life.