Texas Palm Decline
by Russ Frank
Texas Palm Decline (TPD), also known as Texas Phoenix Palm Decline (TPPD), was first discovered in the southern coastal region of Texas in the late 1970’s. This palm decline disease is relatively new in Florida, first discovered in 2006.
Texas Phoenix Palm Decline is very similar to Lethal Yellowing (LY), a disease that has killed hundreds of thousands of palms in south Florida since the 1950's. Researchers believe the disease is spread by an insect. These insects feed on sap of an infected then spread the disease from palm to palm as it continues to feed.
Texas Palm Decline was discovered in the west central region of Florida and appears set to ravage thousands of expensive Canary Island Date palms, edible date palms, and wild date palms. These palms can cost from $5,000 to $10,000 apiece.
Less expensive but much more numerous Queen palms can also be affected. This palm decline is also suspected of jumping to Sabal palms, a native palm and the Florida state tree. Texas Phoenix Palm Decline has been confirmed in Sarasota, Manatee, Hillsborough, Pinellas and Polk counties in west central Florida. This palm decline disease is likely to spread because palms are frequently bought, sold and moved throughout Florida.
Symptoms of Texas Phoenix Palm Decline include browning of the lower fronds, death of the spear (the youngest unfolded frond), fronds dying prematurely, flowers and fruit dying prematurely, premature fruit drop and eventual death of the palm.
Don't jump to conclusions if your palms exhibit one or more of these Texas Palm Decline symptoms. Nutrient deficiencies, over-pruning, lightning damage, insect damage, and herbicide damage, can cause similar symptoms.
Call Florida Bug Inspectors to help determine whether your palm has Texas Palm Decline. If they believe the palm decline disease is present, they will send sample to a lab to confirm it. If the Texas Phoenix Palm Decline disease is present, it is in the best interest of the community to remove the diseased palm as soon as possible to prevent further spread.
If Texas Palm Decline symptoms exist on a palm, but the spear leaf has not died, the palm may be saved by injection of the antibiotic oxytetracycline Hcl. Treatment of palm decline must continue every 4 months for the life of the palm. This antibiotic may also be used as a preventive treatment on healthy palms when Texas Phoenix Palm Decline is known to occur in the area. The 4-month schedule applies.
Protect your valuable palms from Texas Phoenix Palm Decline (TPPD). Pest control experts Florida Bug Inspectors, offers a program to prevent this fatal palm decline disease.
A preventative Palm Decline program as well as other pest control services, are offered in: Apollo Beach, Bloomingdale, Brandon, Carrollwood, Citrus Park, Drew Park, Egypt Lake, Forest Hills, Gibsonton, Land o' Lakes, Lutz, New Tampa, North Tampa, Plant City, Riverview, Ruskin, Seminole Heights, South Tampa, Sulphur Springs, Seffner, Tampa, Tampa Heights, Temple Terrace, Thonotosassa, Town and Country, USF area, Valrico, Wellswood, Wesley Chapel, Ybor City …and all areas in between.