Q. I have a Canary Date Palm that developed yellowing
leaves last year. I planted this palm about 10 years ago in my landscape.
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| Canary Island Date Palm |
A. The proper name is Canary Island Date Palm. Eliminate simple
possibilities first.
Water and drainage
Make sure whatever method you are
using to irrigate the tree has not changed because of a
broken irrigation line or malfunctioning irrigation emitters. Check the soil
around the tree to make sure it’s not still wet before it is irrigated the next
time.
The soil at four or 5 inches
deep should still be starting to dry when you water again. Watering cycles of
palms is similar to other large trees on your property and not to other
locations like lawns, flowerbeds that require frequent irrigation. Watering
palm trees as frequently as you would these locations would be a mistake.
Fertilize
with a palm fertilizer
Palm nutrient deficiencies such as potassium,
magnesium or manganese deficiencies can cause yellowing as well. Use a palm
tree fertilizer such as Arizona’s Best the next time this palm tree is fertilized.
Disease Possibilities
There are a couple of disease
possibilities that have not yet, to my knowledge, been diagnosed in southern
Nevada. Three palm diseases have been noted in Southern California on this
Palm. The only disease which causes fronds to yellow on Canary Island Date Palm
is Fusarium Wilt.
This disease can be spread from tree to tree through pruning tools. Wiping or
spraying the cutting blades of pruning tools with at least 70 – 90 % isopropyl
alcohol will effectively keep the disease from being spread due to a lack of
sanitation to other palms.
Anyone pruning these palms
should never use dirty tools. Tools should be cleaned with soap and water first
and then sanitized before pruning begins.