Palm Trees losing bark

Ian33050427
by Ian33050427
Can somebody please tell me why my two palm trees are thinning at the center of the trunk. It seems that the bark is being clawed off. My gardener thought it might be raccoons or some other night creature using the tree to sharpen their nails similar to what a cat does. If so, I was going to place chicken wire around the affected area but I think it is more likely a disease. Whatever it is, it thinning fast. Anyone recognize or have had the same issue? If so, any advice would be most appreciated..
  9 answers
  • 1240839 1240839 on Mar 30, 2018

    Palms are a totally different plant. It may be a scratching post, but it could also be a time in that trees life when water was restricted.

    dHow are the other palms doing? If it's just one, it could be diseased.

    What will be damaged if it fails?

    • Ian33050427 Ian33050427 on Mar 30, 2018

      So far its a mystery. I‘ll have to bite the bullet and get in an arborist. Not too concerned about them falling as if and when they do they will likely fall on my neighbors property and he owes me a drink anyway

  • Jan Clark Jan Clark on Mar 30, 2018

    If you live in Florida, this may be Ganoderma Butt Rot. It's a nasty fungus that invades at ground level and moves up the tree trunk, only showing itself as it kills the outer bark. You know you've lost your tree when the white scaly fungus actually appears on the surface of what's left of the trunk. Unfortunately, there is no known cure since its discovery was made less than 30 years ago. If they mean a lot to you, I'd contact an arborist who may have an injectable spectral fungus treatment. It's a gamble, but it is the best "treatment" there is for now.

  • Pat Pat on Mar 30, 2018

    There is no known cure for Butt Rot. Replacement is the only answer.

    • Ian33050427 Ian33050427 on Mar 30, 2018

      But my butt isn’t rotten. It’s quite nice actually. It’s the palms I’m having a problem with. and I’m not about to replace them. My name isn’t “Rockefeller”

  • Patricia Patricia on Mar 30, 2018

    I had to have mine removed after they died. Turned out to be termites eating them

  • Bwl22167946 Bwl22167946 on Mar 30, 2018

    Knock on it and see if carpenter ants crawl out. That's what I had happen to one of mine. We dusted for the ants and the tree is doing okay. Hasn't lost much more 'bark'.

  • Rosy Rosy on Mar 31, 2018

    Termites. Remove your tree.

  • 1240839 1240839 on Mar 31, 2018

    Yes to getting arborist. Funny comment about neighbor.

  • Tree problem Tree problem on Aug 21, 2022

    Have you find the solution yet? I have the sam problem on one of palm trees. I live in Miami. The palm is not showing any other symptoms and it survived a hurricane in 2017 which surprised me. I have search all over the internet and haven’t found a solution.