South Florida Palms and Lethal Bronzing

There's a new palm disease to be aware of called Lethal Bronzing that can potentially impact some of our most prestigious south Florida. Common symptoms include premature fruit drop (fruit is stunted, brown and or dead along with dead inflorescences), gradual browning of older leaves, then death of young/new fronds and eventually spear leaf death (center most frond growth point). While costly preventative measures are available unfortunately, there is no cure for infected palms and the only course of action once a palm is confirmed as infected is total removal. If you suspect a palm may have Lethal Bronzing please contact the local Broward County Cooperative Extension Service for additional advice and potential testing. Additional information about Lethal Bronzing can be found at the following IFAS website.

 Necrotic lower Sabal Palm fronds and dead spear leaf. (c) The Daytona Beach News Journal 

Canary Palm almost completely dead with spear leaf dying (c) Fox 13 News

Premature fruit drop and necrotic inflorescences of Coconut Palm. (c) The Florida Alligator

Historic Magnolia Tree Being Removed at the White House

I recently came across an article mentioning that a historic Magnolia tree was being removed at the White House. The tree in question a large leaf Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) was originally planted by Andrew Jackson back in 1829 and can also be found on the back of the $20 bill circa 1928-1998. The tree ultimately failed due to a combination of old age, decay and structural instability. At the end there simply wasn't enough sound wood left to justify keeping the tree in place due to its risk of failing and causing damage to people or property.The tree was 190 years old well past its normal lifespan; a testament to the critical care it has received over the years from arboricultural experts. When considering trees planted on your property keep in mind that you can extend their lifespan through proper tree pruning, maintenance, planting the right tree in the right place and using an ISA Certified Arborist or ASCA Consulting Arborist to conduct an annual inspection. For the full article please see the weblink below:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/home/ct-life-sun-0121-garden-morton-20180117-story.html