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toppled Alexander palm

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Old 1st October 2010, 09:01 AM   #1
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Question toppled Alexander palm

Okay, I'm going to try this again. If it appears twice, sorry.

Attached, please find a picture of one of the palm trees in my front yard, near Tampa, florida. I think it is an Alexander Palm.
You'll notice, it is in distress. I'm very sad about it, & not sure how to proceed. I have several question regarding this issue & hope you can give me some insight.
First: Any idea what happened? Is this a common issue? It seemed relatively healthy, altho, I did notice the newest "pod" didn't open, & seemed to break off.
Secondly: If I cut the crest off, will it "grow back", (for lack of a better term)? I've been told it's done for-dig it up & start over, but many plants/trees can be topped, & rebound. Unfortunately, I don't know enough about palms to make a call.
Lastly: Do you suppose I need to be concerned about the other palms in my yard? I'm wondering if it's diseased or infested, & how would I know that?

Thanks in advance for any help/guidance you may be to provide. I realize, that based on the little bit of info, & 1 picture provided, it's tough to be certain, but it'll will no doubt be more to go on than I am currently working with...
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Old 1st October 2010, 11:03 AM   #2
dov
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Default Re: toppled Alexander palm

I'm afraid it looks very much like the end of the book for that palm. If you check up the top where it's folded over you will probably find it rotten or hollowed out by insects and it will not grow back if you cut the top off.

Cut it out and start again.
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Old 1st October 2010, 11:07 AM   #3
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Default Re: toppled Alexander palm

you've been told right. it's a goner.

palms grow from a central spire (a spear in the middle of the top). once one does this or you cut the top off it's done for.

i couldn't tell you what caused it from the pic but if you have an arborist take it out they should be able to get a better look at what happened and let you know of any pests/ diseases. from the pic it looks realativaly healthy, no yellow or wilt so i'll venture a guess that it was damaged and rotted on the inside.
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Old 1st October 2010, 07:18 PM   #4
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Default Re: toppled Alexander palm

hahaha I could be wrong, but from that angle it looks a little bit like a Cocos Palm. If so, not entirely a shame that it's deady-bones, really.....
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Old 1st October 2010, 07:55 PM   #5
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Default Re: toppled Alexander palm

That's a "Queen" palm in USA, weed here.

Unusual to see the head rolled over like that, disection and pictures would be good.
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Old 1st October 2010, 08:06 PM   #6
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Default Re: toppled Alexander palm

Usually when you see them bowed over like that the fronds are generally brown, fell it and be done with it...
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Old 5th October 2010, 08:59 AM   #7
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Default Re: toppled Alexander palm

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric Frei View Post
That's a "Queen" palm in USA, weed here.

Unusual to see the head rolled over like that, disection and pictures would be good.
yeah, no, they're weeds here too, imo.

we had a good number do the same thing when i first started. they looked like a rodent had eaten away at the meeting of the trunk and crown, often within the boot.

as far as i know it's rats or a pecker of some sort that allows a fungus infection. a couple seemed to origionate from spike wounds too. all the trees i removed that year were black and squishy inside from the heart down a quarter of the trunk with a few gooed up all the way to the roots. often they had black stains on the outside too.
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