Windmill Palms Declining Together: Soil Contamination Suspected

Simultaneous Decline = Common Cause

Two 6-ft windmill palms in Tucson, 6 ft apart, both suddenly wither and brown. Hearts push shoots that don't last. Irrigated, fertilized with Miracle-Gro palm food 3-4×/year.

Diagnosis

Something leached or spilled into the shared root zone. Simultaneous decline rules out individual pests/diseases. Also check for a faulty sprinkler head—over- or under-watering one spot.

Action

Investigate soil around both palms. Look for chemical spills, fertilizer burn, or irrigation malfunction. Correct the root-zone issue; palms may recover if caught early.