Foxtail Palms Collapsing: Crown Rot or Stress?

Symptoms

~10 foxtail palms in Key West. Some tops snapped off. Owner wonders if Ganoderma butt rot. No cold winter there. Palms from Miami >1 year ago, never looked good.

Expert Assessment

• Not Ganoderma—that shows mushroom-like conks at base.
• Likely planting stress: too deep, poor soil, or root damage at install.
• Not contagious. Others should be fine with proper care.

Action Plan

Water properly, fertilize 3×/year with palm granular. Monitor. Most will stabilize.