Sylvester Palm issue

[xlhig]

Something is eating or digging in to my Sylvester Palm. Any ideas as to what it is and stop it/them? Pictures attached.

[Going My Way]

Like the Indians,
Could be some large Rat that wants its land back...
Sorry, but you might need I move out...

[davem4616]

looks like something is trying to get at some bugs that they want to eat that have taken up residence at the base of your palm

I'd call either a professional pest control company or a nursery to find out what to put down...you don't want to lose a Sylvester Palm

[Doro22]

It may be squirrels making a nest. We had that - yuk!

[RedChariot]

Call arborist Kanani Morris. He owns Tree Frog. Knowledgeable.

[Topspinmo]

Got to be something with rat like teeth to chew through that. Probably rule out beaver or muskrat? Most obvious IMO palm rats or there cousin the squirrel?

[John corallo]

Them type of palms get rats. Not saying that’s what it is but I had rats in mine

[thevillagernie]

Master gardner's all around you ???????

[Imadreamer]

Our Sylvester Palm (and a neighbor’s 8 doors down) died. Finally got it removed. Men could not pull it out by roots, but had to cut it down then grind the stump to remove. Costly.
We have no idea why it died, but we notice others that appear sick as we tour in our golf cart.

[fastboat]

Have the same problem with two of mine. Looks like roots growing right out of the trunk.

[Villagesgal]

Take or send photos to a master gardener. Call sumter County for master gardener info.

[carolfry44]

There is a lot of information on this subject on Google.

[JayK!]

Contact Sumter County Extension Service/Master Gardeners with questions about plants/shrubs/trees.

[Ladygolfer2010]

Palms are monocotyledons that have an adventitious root system. The roots evolve primarily from the stem tissue, as opposed to a larger root system. In seedlings, palm roots emerge in an area of the base called the root initiation zone. As the palm seed grows, the root initiation zone extends upward and outward. Roots that are exposed to soil or any other moist environment, continue to grow outward and downward in the soil where they function as roots. Roots that arise above the root initiation zone and are exposed to a drier environment, cease growing. If the environment becomes moist, then the roots will resume growing. The root initiation zone usually arises no more than 6 to 12 inches up the palm. However, certain palm species such as date palms (Phoenix spp.), the root initiation zone can occur several feet up the trunk. Examples of palms that demonstrate this condition are Canary Island Date Palms, Pygmy Date Palms, Sylvester Palms, Wild Date Palms, Cabbage Palms and Washingtonia Palms. We usually see this condition after the palm has been established. This condition is a normal abnormality, meaning that this will not harm the palm at all.
If you see this is on your palm, then do not worry. Do not try to cut the exposed roots off or pile dirt around the roots. This also does not mean your palm was planted too high. Do not be tempted to dig up the palm and plant it deeper within the soil. This may lead to a more serious problem. Another normal abnormality is trunk flare. This is most always seen along with the root initiation zone. Palm roots extend upward causing the bark to flare up, sometimes peeling off the trunk. Again, this is a normal part of the palms development.

[justjim]

It looks like Elvis has left the arena. I would call a tree cutter...

[Guitarman1951]

I've had two palms do that including my huge Sylvester. I was told that is normal and not worry. Both trees seem to be healthy regardless.

[JoanneL]

Send these pictures to the Sumter County Extension Service. It is a free service and they will help you. Here is their Email address sumter@ifas.ufl.edu
Every Florida county has an Extension service. History. The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 established the Cooperative Extension Service, a partnership between land grant colleges nationwide, as a means for disseminating and implementing research-based information from land-grant universities, including the University of Florida.

[xlhig]

Thank you!!

[jebartle]

We trimmed all palms, 1 foot BELOW the ground. When landscaping is less than perfect in the Villages its because of palm trash, besides bugs love them.

[crash]

Have the same problem with two of mine. Looks like roots growing right out of the trunk.

I think that is exactly correct and may be to the trunk being sprayed with irrigation water and the tree sending out new roots.