Steven Smith Landscape was contacted recently by an Association that had a sick Phoenix canariensis palm tree. We determined that the tree died from a Fusarium infection. Fusarium ‘wilt’ is caused by a soil fungus Fusarium oxysporum and is the most common infection affecting palm trees.This causes older, lower fronds to turn yellow, wilt and die followed by the upper leaves. The die off of fronds is very rapid and eventually the entire plant dies. There is no cure for this disease and trees must be removed. It can be spread by contaminated pruning tools. New tools or disinfected tools need to be used to curb the spread of the disease.
Chris Cutler, Maintenance Superintendent – Steven Smith Landscape, Inc.