HomeMy Public PortalAboutLTC 186-2015 Phoenix Dactylifera Date Palm UpdateBAL HARBOUR
V I L L A G E -
OFFICE OF THE VILLAGE MANAGER LETTER TO COUNCIL
NO. 186-2015
To: Mayor Martin Packer and Members of the Village Council
From: Jorge M. Gonzalez, Village Manager
Date: October 30, 2015
Subject: Phoenix Dactylifera Date Palm Update
The purpose of this Letter to Council (LTC) is to provide you with an update to the March
13, 2015 Letter to Council (LTC) 052-2015 (See Attached), which details the actions we
have taken to determine the cause for the loss of Date Palms along Collins Avenue. As
noted in the previous LTC dated March 13, 2015, the loss of three (3) Date Palms along the
right of way of Collins Avenue in January of 2015 prompted the initial testing of the dead
palms and the random testing of nine (9) additional Palms along Collins Avenue.
As previously described, upon inspection at the time of removal of the dead palms, the early
indicators showed the cause of death for these palms to be Thielaviopsis trunk rot. This is
caused by the fungus Thielaviopsis paradoxa, which is a fungus that can infect any part of a
palm, and so can cause numerous diseases. In Florida, it is one of two most frequent (and
usually lethal) Thielaviopsis diseases observed in the landscape and field nursery locations.
(See Attached Fact Sheet) A summary of the characteristics for this disease are:
• Due to this disease, the palm trunk either collapses on itself or the canopy suddenly
falls off the trunk, often without warning
• The palm canopy may appear healthy prior to collapse
• Except for "stem bleeding," which is common in Cocos nucifera (coconut), there may
be no symptoms prior to collapse of the palm
• Only fresh trunk wounds will become infected by the fungus, so disease
management includes limiting manmade wounds to the palm trunk, especially the
upper third of the trunk
• There are no other methods to prevent or cure this disease. The palm should be
removed immediately, and the diseased trunk portion destroyed but not recycled.
Additionally, the test samples were transmitted to Dr. Monica Elliott, professor, Plant
Pathology Department at the University of Florida, Institute of Food, and Agricultural
Sciences, for pathology testing. The report from Dr. Elliott received in May of this year,
confirmed the Date Palm truck failures were caused by the fungus Thielaviopsis paradoxa
(See Attached).
1
In order to further validate the report received from Dr. Elliott, John Oldenburg, Director of
Parks and Public Spaces, contacted local consulting Arborist Robert D. Brennan, who also
serves as the Arborist at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens, to perform a site visit and
conduct further testing. Mr. Brennan conducted a site visit on June 30, 2015. The
subsequent report from Robert Brennan, again confirmed the previous diagnosis of Dr.
Elliott (See Attached).
A review of Bal Harbour Village records prior to my tenure as the Village Manager, reflects
the loss of at least two Date Palms in the same vicinity in recent years. One Date Palm
along 96 street near the Bal Harbour Shops was replaced in December 2011 and on March
20, 2012 a palm was authorized for replacement at 10178 Collins Avenue (See Attached).
In these loss events, no mention of formal testing to determine cause was found.
A third palm was lost on May 5, 2014 along 10240 Collins Avenue and replaced shortly
after. The loss of these palms after the initial three (3) beginning in late 2011 has
significantly increased. Since the collective loss of three (3) Date Palms in January 2015,
which prompted the causation investigation discussed above, nineteen (19) Date Palms
have been killed by this disease and twelve (12) identified as diseased and scheduled for
removal. The total number of affected palms is thirty four (34) to date. The identification of
individual diseased palms that have not failed yet, was conducted first by Mr. Brennan
during his testing. Subsequent testing was conducted by the Arbor team from The Brickman
Group using probes to test the Date Palm trucks for decay during the seasonal Date Palm
pruning operations which are complete as of this date.
Since the identified disease does not prevent the replanting of palms at the same locations
as the dead palms, replanting operations are in process to restore the numbers of missing
Date Palms along Collins Avenue. The challenge in this effort has been the necessity to
replace missing palms with matching height Date Palms to the extent they are available for
purchase.
While smaller replacement palms are generally available, matching height palms to replace
the removed ones are not. The availability of these large Date Palms is limited due their
slow growth habit of six (6) inches per year in height and the fact that these particular palms
are not native to Florida. The palms are normally purchased from Arizona and California
date fruit production farms. The large palms which the Bal Harbour Village inventory
consists of, are sourced from the date fruit production farms when their mature Date Palms
are removed from production after their optimal date fruit production falls below the farm's
production criteria.
In order to expedite the replanting of missing palms along Collins Avenue, I instructed John
Oldenburg to relocate any potential appropriate sized replacement Date Palms from the
existing inventory along 96 street and from within Bal Harbour Park, until additional palms
can be located for purchase. To date, a total of seventeen (17) date palms were relocated
from these two areas to Collins Avenue at a cost of $77,640.00.
The purchase of new matching palms for Collins Avenue and the installation of
replacements for the relocated palms from 96 Street continues to date, with eight (8) date
palms installed at a cost of $58,320.00. The seven date palms relocated from Bal Harbour
Park to Collins Avenue are not planned for replacement within the Park.
z
Currently, the anticipated cost to replace the two (2) remaining missing palm locations and
ten (10) identified diseased palms totals $ 98,300.00. As of this date, the testing of all Date
Palms located along Collins Avenue and 96 street has been completed. The total cost for
this Date Palm replacement effort totals $234,260.00 and equates to $6,890.00 per Date
Palm.
In order to mitigate any future spread of this pathogen, strict horticultural practices which the
mandate chemical sterilization of pruning tools after each individual palm is pruned is in
place and enforced. Also, when the replacement palms are installed, the existing soil within
the planting site is removed and replaced with new soil. Additionally, the scheduled
application of "Thiophanate-methyl' fungicide to each of the date palms on Collins Avenue
and 96 Street was performed in early October 2015 and will continue as a preventive
program. While no conclusive evidence exists which supports the replacement of the
planting soils and application of fungicides in the prevention of this disease, empirical
evidence suggests that these practices may reduce the spread of the disease and slow the
damage to exposed Date Palms. Further updates of this issue will follow after completion of
the palm replanting activities.
If you have additional questions, please contact me.
3
AAL HlA OUR
F LO RI DA'S�I PA RADI S E
OFFICE OF THE VILLAGE MANAGER
NO 052-2015 LETTER TO COUNCIL
TO: Mayor and Members of the Village Council
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, Village Manage (�
DATE: March 13, 2105
SUBJECT: Clarification Regarding Tagged Trees
The purpose of this Letter to Council (LTC) is to clarify a situation which occurred from an
inadvertent miscommunication regarding the placement of tags on several trees and palms
located within the Fairfield Manor Property and the tag placed on a Village owned Date
Palm on the right of way of Collins Avenue, adjacent to the Fairfield Manor location.
Recently we received inquiries from several residents who noted that the trees and palms
located within the Fairfield Manor Property, 9800 Collins Avenue were marked with an
orange plastic ribbon. In addition to the trees and palms within the property, one Village
owned Date Palm was also tagged with an orange plastic ribbon (See Attached). When this
question was raised, the initial response conveyed was that the Village was in the process
of testing a number of Date Palms to determine if our population of Date Palms exhibited
signs of disease. The testing was conducted on the village date palms due to the recent
loss of three (3) of our Collins Avenue Date Palms
Coincidentally, and without coordination with the Village, the Bal Harbour Shops as part of
their ongoing project activities tagged the trees and palms located within the Fairfield Manor
property (See Attached). The Village owned Date Palm located in the Right of Way of
Collins while tagged with an orange tag, is not part of the Bal Harbour Shops Project.
The information below contains the details specific to the Village activities which placed one
orange tag on the Date Palm in the right of way of 9800 Collins Avenue and the placement
of tags on eight (8) additional Date palms located along Collins Avenue.
During the month of January three (3) Zahidi Date Palms located North of One Harbour
Way, 9701 and 10205 Collins Avenue, died suddenly with no outward sign of disease.
Because the palms showed no symptoms, John Oldenburg, Director of Parks and Public
Spaces, instructed the Village Landscape Contractor, The Brickman Group, Ltd. to collect
samples from the three (3) dead palms and send them to Dr. Monica Elliott, professor, Plant
Pathology Department at the University of Florida, Institute of Food, and Agricultural
Sciences, for pathology testing. Additionally, Mr. Oldenburg ordered the testing of nine
Page 2 of 3
random palms in this area to determine if there was a disease infestation that could affect
the other palms along Collins Avenue and 96'h Street.
The palms at the locations where testing was conducted during the last week of January
and February, 06, 2015 received an orange plastic tie to track the test sites with the list of
locations found below:
• One Bal Harbour Way
• The Fair Field Manor (9800 Collins Avenue)
• Bal Harbor Shops (9700 Collins Avenue)
• Bal Harbour Shops (96th Street and Harding Avenue)
• Byron Avenue and 96th Street
• St Regis (9701 Collins Avenue)
• Sea View (9901 Collins Avenue)
• Bal Moral (9801 Collins Avenue)
• Bal Harbour Tower (9999 Collins Avenue)
• The Palace (10101 Collins Avenue)
• Bal Harbour (10155 Collins Avenue)
• Kenilworth (10205 Collins Avenue)
In recognition of the unknown cause for the death of the three palms, no replacement palms
are scheduled to be planted at the three (3) removal sites until the cause of death for these
palms is determined. Certain diseases, such as Ganoderma butt, which a trunk rot is
caused by the fungus Ganoderma zonatum, degrades or rots the lower 4-5 feet of the trunk,
and since the fungus remains in the soil for long periods, replanting palms at the same
location is risky because the fungus has a high instance of infecting the replacement palms
(See Attached Fact Sheet).
Upon inspection at the time of removal, the early indicators show the cause of death for
these palms to be Thielaviopsis trunk rot is caused by the fungus Thielaviopsis paradoxa,
which is a fungus that can infect any part of a palm, and so can cause numerous diseases.
In Florida, it is one of two most frequent (and usually lethal) Thielaviopsis diseases
observed in the landscape and field nursery locations. (See Attached Fact Sheet) A
summary of the characteristics for this disease are:
• Due to this disease, the palm trunk either collapses on itself or the canopy suddenly
falls off the trunk, often without warning
• The palm canopy may appear healthy prior to collapse
• Except for "stem bleeding," which is common in Cocos nucifera (coconut), there may
be no symptoms prior to collapse of the palm
• Only fresh trunk wounds will become infected by the fungus, so disease
management includes limiting manmade wounds to the palm trunk, especially the
upper third of the trunk
• If the disease is detected early, cutting out the rotted, infested wood followed by
spraying the wound site with a fungicide may be useful
• There are no other methods to prevent or cure this disease. The palm should be
removed immediately, and the diseased trunk portion destroyed but not recycled.
Page 3 of 3
The Village has not received the formal report from Dr. Elliott as of this date, but has
already instituted strict pruning practices, such as tool sterilization when any palm is pruned
as a precaution to prevent the potential spread of this disease. Also examinations of the
palm canopies will be conducted with every date removal cycle, with one currently
scheduled to begin the last week in March. When the report is received I will advise through
an update of this LTC.
If you have additional questions, please contact me.
JMG/JAO
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WAS Extension
Thielaviopsis Trunk Rot of Palm'
Monica L. Elliott'
Summary
• Thielaviopsis trunk rot is caused by the fungus 7hielavi-
opsis paradoxa.
• Due to this disease, the palm trunk either collapses on
itself or the canopy suddenly falls off the trunk, often
without warning. The palm canopy may appear healthy
prior to collapse.
• Except for "stem bleeding; which is common in Cocos
nucifera (coconut), there may be no symptoms prior to
collapse of the palm.
• Only fresh trunk wounds will become infected by the
fungus, so disease management includes limiting man-
made wounds to the palm trunk, especially the upper
third of the trunk.
• If the disease is detected early, cutting out the rotted,
infested wood followed by spraying the wound site with a
fungicide maybe useful.
• There are no other methods to prevent or cure this
disease. The palm should be removed immediately, and
the diseased trunk portion destroyed but not recycled.
Introduction
7hielaviopsis paradoxa is a fungus that can infect any part
of a palm, and so can cause numerous diseases. In Florida,
the two most frequent (and usually lethal) Thielaviopsis
diseases observed in the landscape and field nursery are
PP-219
a bud (heart) rot and trunk rot. Thielaviopsis bud rot is
discussed at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp144.
Pathogen and Hosts
7hielaviopsis paradoxa is a fungus with many names. Its
"asexual" stage name has changed from 7hielaviopsis to
Chalara and, more recently, back to 7hielaviopsis. It is this
stage that is most often encountered. The fungus produces
two different types of asexual spores, endoconidia and
chlamydospores. The latter will survive for long periods
in the soil. The fungus also has a "sexual" stage name of
Ceratocystis paradoxa. This stage is rarely observed in
natural settings.
7hielaviopsis paradoxa appears to only be able to infect a
palm when a fresh wound is present. Likewise, diseases
caused by this fungus may progress more rapidly if the
palm is stressed. Most infections occur in non-lignified or
lightly lignified tissue. The fungus often, but not always,
produces volatile substances, specifically ethyl acetate and
ethyl alcohol, which give the diseased tissue a fermented
fruit odor.
While this fungus is found throughout the world, its host
range is primarily restricted to monocot plants grown in
warm climates. Besides palms, the fungus causes diseases
of banana, pineapple and sugarcane. While the fungus
has not been reported on every palm species grown in the
landscape, all palm species are considered potential hosts
for this fungus.
1. This document is PP-219, one of a series of the Plant Pathology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural
Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date October 2005. Revised March 2012. Visit the EDIS website at httpV/edis.ifas.uf.edu.
2. Monica L. Elliott, professor, Plant Pathology Department, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center --Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Florida Cooperative
Extension Service, institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.
The Institute of food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational Information and other services only to
Individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disabllity, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national
origin, political opinions or affiliations. U.S, Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A&M University Cooperative
Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer -Chancy, Interim Dean
Symptoms
As indicated previously, this fungus prefers to degrade
(rot) non-lignified or lightly lignified plant tissue. Since the
greatest number of lignified fibers are in the lower trunk
and the least number in the upper trunk this disease is
most often observed in the upper third of the trunk. While
there are no reliable symptoms that can be used to predict
which palms are infected with Thielaviopsis paradoxa and
which ones are not, two symptoms that might be observed
include the lowest leaves dying prematurely and hanging
down from the canopy and "stem bleeding" Unfortunately,
there often are no visible indications that a palm has
Thielaviopsis trunk rot until either the trunk collapses on
itself (Figures 1 and 2) or the canopy suddenly falls off the
trunk (Figure 3). The canopy often appears normal and
healthy.
Figure 1.
Thlelavlopsis trunk rot.
Credits: F.W. Howard
lue to
In the situation where the canopy falls off the trunk, the
rot is occurring below the bud at the base of the canopy
in the woody tissue. This is also an area with little, if any,
lignified plant tissue. When the trunk rot is further down
the trunk, the fungus has rotted the trunk tissue until the
palm can no longer structurally support itself. Examination
of a cross-section through a diseased trunk illustrates that
the rot is located only on one side of the trunk (Figures 4
and 5). This is in contrast to Ganoderma butt rot, in which
the fungus is at the trunk base and rots from the center of
Figure 2. Q
Thielavlopsis trunk rot.
Credits: M.L. Elliott
Figure 3. The canopy of this Phoenixcanariensis fell off of the trunk
due toThlelaviopsis trunk rot.
Credits: H. Donselman
the trunk to the outside. Ganoderma butt rot is discussed at
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp 100.
"Stem bleeding" is a common symptom of Thielaviopsis
trunk rot observed on Cocos nucifera (coconut). This stem
bleeding is a reddish -brown or brown or black stain that
runs down the trunk from the point of infection (Figure
6). Since any trunk wound may result in stem bleeding,
close examination of the point of infection is required. If
the stem bleeding is due to Thielaviopsis paradoxa and the
disease has progressed significantly, the tissue immediately
Figure4. Cross-section ofWashingtonlarobustatrunk Illustrating that
the rot caused by Thlelavlopsis paradoxa occurs on only one side of
the trunk and moves from the outside to the Inside of the trunk.
Credits: M.L.Elllott
Figure 5. Cross-section of Cocos nuclfero trunk Illustrating that the rot
caused byThielavlopsls paradoxa occurs on only one side of the trunk
and moves from the outside to the inside of the trunk.
Credits: M.L. Elliott
surrounding the wound (infection point) will be quite soft
in comparison to surrounding trunk tissue. Palms other
than coconuts, especially those with a smooth trunk, may
also exhibit stem bleeding, but it seems to be most common
in coconut. Eventually, the trunk will collapse on itself at
the point of infection.
Diagnosis
The exact diagnosis of this disease is based on identification
of the fungal pathogen from the diseased trunk tissue. It
is usually not possible to determine the pathogen without
examining the fungal spores. These may be examined
directly on the plant tissue, if spores are being produced.
Isolation of the pathogen can be made on artificial media,
and this growth then observed for spores.
Figure 6. 'Stem bleeding'on a Cocos nucifera due to Infection from
Thlelavlopsfs paradoxa.
Credits: M.L. Elliott
Note that trunk tissue will be required for fungal isolation
and identification. The leading edge of the rotted trunk tis-
sue is the best material for success in this endeavor. Older,
rotted trunk tissue is likely to have secondary fungi and
bacteria present, which complicate, and sometimes prevent,
the isolation of 7hielaviopsisparadoxa.
The Florida Extension Plant Disease Clinic (FEPDC)
network is available for pathogen identification. Contact
your local county Extension office or FEPDC for details on
sample submission and cost of the laboratory diagnosis.
Disease Management
Thielaviopsis trunk rot usually occurs quite randomly,
with only a few palms in the landscape being affected.
However, there are situations where high numbers of palms
in a single landscape can become diseased, for reasons
that are not always clear. In all situations, there has to be
a fresh wound to the palm. Wounds can occur naturally,
such as trunk cracks due to excess water uptake. Insects
(such as ambrosia beetles), birds (sapsuckers pounding on
the trunk), rats, and other mammals can cause wounds.
Blowing objects during a wind storm can strike a trunk and
cause a fresh wound. Humans cause wounds with nails and
climbing spikes, or during the digging and transplanting
process.
Humans also create wounds when trimming leaves that are
not yet dead. Leaf petioles are cut as close as possible to the
trunk. If a leaf petiole has any green color associated with it,
the leaf is still living. When that still living petiole is cut, a
fresh wound is created that may be infected by the fungus.
Trunks can be easily wounded during the trimming process
with the careless use of the pruning tool. Pulling a leaf off
the trunk, when the leaf petiole still has green tissue, can
create a fresh wound.
The fungal pathogen can spread from palm to palm as
follows. First, if spores are produced on diseased palm tis-
sue, these spores can be moved by wind and water to fresh
wounds. The spores may also be moved about by insects or
rodents. Second, the chlamydospores are spores that can
survive in the environment, especially soil, for long periods.
Fresh wounds could become infected via contaminated soil.
Except for the stem bleeding, there are often no outwardly
visible symptoms that indicate which palm in the landscape
or field nursery has Thielaviopsis trunk rot. Thus, there are
no proven strategies for preventing this disease. Once the
palm has collapsed, remove it immediately as it is a source
of fungal spores. It is acceptable to plant a palm back into
the same location, but do so with caution. Minimize trunk
wounds and keep the upper half of the trunk from contact-
ing the soil.
If one does observe the initial stages of the trunk rot, such
as the stem bleeding, it would be useful to cut out the area
of rotted wood (if it is not too large a trunk area) and spray
the wound thoroughly with a fungicide labeled for Thielavi-
opsis diseases. Examples include, but are not limited to,
products with the active ingredients thiophanate methyl or
fludioxonil. The goal is to prevent the fungus from infecting
the fresh wound made when you cut out the infested, rotted
wood. All tools used to remove the rotted wood must be
cleaned with a disinfectant.
Examples of disinfectants include: 1) 25% chlorine bleach
(3 parts water and 1 part bleach); 2) 25% pine oil cleaner
(3 parts water and 1 part pine oil cleaner); 3) 50% rubbing
alcohol (70% isopropyl; equal parts alcohol and water);
4) 50% denatured ethanol (95%; equal parts alcohol and
water); 5) 5% quatenary ammonium salts. Soak tools for 10
minutes and rinse in clean water. For chain saws, soak chain
and bar separately.
Diseased trunk material should be destroyed and should
not be recycled in the landscape. Chipping and then spread-
ing the infested material in the landscape could spread the
fungus to healthy palms. If the trunk is chipped, it should
be placed in a properly constructed and monitored compost
heap, or taken to a landfill or incinerator.
Selected References
Garofalo, J. F., and R. T. McMillan. 2004. Thielaviopsis
diseases of palms. Proceedings of the Florida State Horti-
cultural Society 117:324-325.
Paulin-Mahady, A. E, T. C. Harrington, and D. McNew.
2002. Phylogenetic and taxonomic evaluation of Chalara,
Chalaropsis, and 7hielaviopsis anamorphs associataed with
Ceratocystis. Mycologia 94:62-72.
Simone, G. W. 2004. Thielaviopsis diseases. Pages 37-38 in:
Compendium of Ornamental Palm Diseases and Disorders.
M. L. Elliott, T. K. Broschat, J. Y. Uchida, and G. W. Simone,
eds. American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN.
Wingfield, M. J., K. A. Seifert, and J. F. Webber, eds. 1993.
Ceratocystis and Ophiostoma: Taxonomy, Ecology, and
Pathogenicity. American Phytopathological Society, St.
Paul, MN.
OF I F00 A PP-219
WAS Extension
Thielaviopsis Trunk Rot of Palm'
Monica L. Elliott2
Summary
• Thielaviopsis trunk rot is caused by the fungus Thielavi-
opsis paradoxa.
Due to this disease, the palm trunk either collapses on
itself or the canopy suddenly falls off the trunk, often
without warning. The palm canopy may appear healthy
prior to collapse.
• Except for "stem bleeding;' which is common in Cocos
nucifera (coconut), there may be no symptoms prior to
collapse of the palm.
• Only fresh trunk wounds will become infected by the
fungus, so disease management includes limiting man-
made wounds to the palm trunk, especially the upper
third of the trunk.
• If the disease is detected early, cutting out the rotted,
infested wood followed by spraying the wound site with a
fungicide may be useful.
• There are no other methods to prevent or cure this
disease. The palm should be removed immediately, and
the diseased trunk portion destroyed but not recycled.
Introduction
Thielaviopsis paradoxa is a fungus that can infect any part
of a palm, and so can cause numerous diseases. In Florida,
the two most frequent (and usually lethal) Thielaviopsis
diseases observed in the landscape and field nursery are
a bud (heart) rot and trunk rot. Thielaviopsis bud rot is
discussed at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ppl44.
Pathogen and Hosts
Thielaviopsis paradoxa is a fungus with many names. Its
"asexual" stage name has changed from Thielaviopsis to
Chalara and, more recently, back to Thielaviopsis. It is this
stage that is most often encountered. The fungus produces
two different types of asexual spores, endoconidia and
chlamydospores. The latter will survive for long periods
in the soil. The fungus also has a "sexual" stage name of
Ceratocystis paradoxa. This stage is rarely observed in
natural settings.
Thielaviopsis paradoxa appears to only be able to infect a
palm when a fresh wound is present. Likewise, diseases
caused by this fungus may progress more rapidly if the
palm is stressed. Most infections occur in non-lignified or
lightly lignified tissue. The fungus often, but not always,
produces volatile substances, specifically ethyl acetate and
ethyl alcohol, which give the diseased tissue a fermented
fruit odor.
While this fungus is found throughout the world, its host
range is primarily restricted to monocot plants grown in
warm climates. Besides palms, the fungus causes diseases
of banana, pineapple and sugarcane. While the fungus
has not been reported on every palm species grown in the
landscape, all palm species are considered potential hosts
for this fungus.
1. This document is PP-219, one of a series of the Plant Pathology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of food and Agricultural
Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date October 2005. Revised March 2012.Msit the EDIS website at hup9/edis.Ifas.ull.edu.
2. Monica L. Elliott, professor, Plant Pathology Department, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center --Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Florida Cooperative
Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.
The Institute of food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational Information and other services only to
Individuals and Institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national
origin, political opinions or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A&M University Cooperative
Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer -Chancy, Interim Dean
Symptoms
As indicated previously, this fungus prefers to degrade
(rot) non-lignified or lightly lignified plant tissue. Since the
greatest number of lignified fibers are in the lower trunk
and the least number in the upper trunk, this disease is
most often observed in the upper third of the trunk. While
there are no reliable symptoms that can be used to predict
which palms are infected with 7hielaviopsisparadoxa and
which ones are not, two symptoms that might be observed
include the lowest leaves dying prematurely and hanging
down from the canopy and "stem bleeding" Unfortunately,
there often are no visible indications that a palm has
Thielaviopsis trunk rot until either the trunk collapses on
itself (Figures 1 and 2) or the canopy suddenly falls off the
trunk (Figure 3). The canopy often appears normal and
healthy.
Figure 1. Washingtonla rohusta with trunk collapsed on Itself due to
Thielaviopsis trunk rot.
Credits: F.W. Howard
In the situation where the canopy falls off the trunk, the
rot is occurring below the bud at the base of the canopy
in the woody tissue. This is also an area with little, if any,
lignified plant tissue. When the trunk rot is further down
the trunk, the fungus has rotted the trunk tissue until the
palm can no longer structurally support itself. Examination
of a cross-section through a diseased trunk illustrates that
the rot is located only on one side of the trunk (Figures 4
and 5). This is in contrast to Ganoderma butt rot, in which
the fungus is at the trunk base and rots from the center of
Figure2. Cocos nucifera trunk collapsed upon itself due to
Thlelavlopsls trunk rot.
Credits: VI L. Elliott
Figure 3. The canopy of this Phoenixcanarlensis fell off of the trunk
due toThlelaviopsis trunk rot.
Credits: H. Donselman
the trunk to the outside. Ganoderma butt rot is discussed at
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pploo.
"Stem bleeding" is a common symptom of Thielaviopsis
trunk rot observed on Cocos nucifera (coconut). This stem
bleeding is a reddish -brown or brown or black stain that
runs down the trunk from the point of infection (Figure
6). Since any trunk wound may result in stem bleeding,
close examination of the point of infection is required. If
the stem bleeding is due to 7hielaviopsis paradoxa and the
disease has progressed significantly, the tissue immediately
the rot caused by Thlelavlopsis paradoxa occurs on only one side of
the trunk and moves from the outside to the inside of the trunk.
Credits: M.L. Elliott
Figure 5. Cross-section of Cocos nuclfera trunk illustrating that the rot
caused by Thlelavlopsis paradoxo occurs on only one side of the trunk
and moves from the outside to the Inside of the trunk.
Credits: M.L. Elliott
surrounding the wound (infection point) will be quite soft
in comparison to surrounding trunk tissue. Palms other
than coconuts, especially those with a smooth trunk, may
also exhibit stem bleeding, but it seems to be most common
in coconut. Eventually, the trunk will collapse on itself at
the point of infection.
Diagnosis
The exact diagnosis of this disease is based on identification
of the fungal pathogen from the diseased trunk tissue. It
is usually not possible to determine the pathogen without
examining the fungal spores. These may be examined
directly on the plant tissue, if spores are being produced.
Isolation of the pathogen can be made on artificial media,
and this growth then observed for spores.
Figure 6. 'Stem bleeding'on a Cocos nucifera due to infection from
Thielavlopsis paradoxo.
Credits: M.L. Elliott
Note that trunk tissue will be required for fungal isolation
and identification. The leading edge of the rotted trunk tis-
sue is the best material for success in this endeavor. Older,
rotted trunk tissue is likely to have secondary fungi and
bacteria present, which complicate, and sometimes prevent,
the isolation of Thielaviopsis paradoxo.
The Florida Extension Plant Disease Clinic (PEPDQ
network is available for pathogen identification. Contact
your local county Extension office or FEPDC for details on
sample submission and cost of the laboratory diagnosis.
Disease Management
Thielaviopsis trunk rot usually occurs quite randomly,
with only a few palms in the landscape being affected.
However, there are situations where high numbers of palms
in a single landscape can become diseased, for reasons
that are not always clear. In all situations, there has to be
a fresh wound to the palm. Wounds can occur naturally,
such as trunk cracks due to excess water uptake. Insects
(such as ambrosia beetles), birds (sapsuckers pounding on
the trunk), rats, and other mammals can cause wounds.
Blowing objects during a wind storm can strike a trunk and
cause a fresh wound. Humans cause wounds with nails and
climbing spikes, or during the digging and transplanting
process.
Humans also create wounds when trimming leaves that are
not yet dead. Leaf petioles are cut as close as possible to the
trunk. If a leaf petiole has any green color associated with it,
the leaf is still living. When that still living petiole is cut, a
fresh wound is created that may be infected by the fungus.
Trunks can be easily wounded during the trimming process
with the careless use of the pruning tool. Pulling a leaf off
the trunk, when the leaf petiole still has green tissue, can
create a fresh wound.
The fungal pathogen can spread from palm to palm as
follows. First, if spores are produced on diseased palm tis-
sue, these spores can be moved by wind and water to fresh
wounds. The spores may also be moved about by insects or
rodents. Second, the chlamydospores are spores that can
survive in the environment, especially soil, for long periods.
Fresh wounds could become infected via contaminated soil.
Except for the stem bleeding, there are often no outwardly
visible symptoms that indicate which palm in the landscape
or field nursery has Thielaviopsis trunk rot. Thus, there are
no proven strategies for preventing this disease. Once the
palm has collapsed, remove it immediately as it is a source
of fungal spores. It is acceptable to plant a palm back into
the same location, but do so with caution. Minimize trunk
wounds and keep the upper half of the trunk from contact-
ing the soil.
If one does observe the initial stages of the trunk rot, such
as the stem bleeding, it would be useful to cut out the area
of rotted wood (if it is not too large a trunk area) and spray
the wound thoroughly with a fungicide labeled for Thielavi-
opsis diseases. Examples include, but are not limited to,
products with the active ingredients thiophanate methyl or
ftudioxonil. The goal is to prevent the fungus from infecting
the fresh wound made when you cut out the infested, rotted
wood. All tools used to remove the rotted wood must be
cleaned with a disinfectant.
Examples of disinfectants include: 1) 25% chlorine bleach
(3 parts water and 1 part bleach); 2) 25% pine oil cleaner
(3 parts water and 1 part pine oil cleaner); 3) 50% rubbing
alcohol (70% isopropyl; equal parts alcohol and water);
4) 50% denatured ethanol (95%; equal parts alcohol and
water); 5) 5% quatenary ammonium salts. Soak tools for 10
minutes and rinse in clean water. For chain saws, soak chain
and bar separately.
Diseased trunk material should be destroyed and should
not be recycled in the landscape. Chipping and then spread-
ing the infested material in the landscape could spread the
fungus to healthy palms. If the trunk is chipped, it should
be placed in a properly constructed and monitored compost
heap, or taken to a landfill or incinerator.
Selected References
Garofalo, J. R, and R. T McMillan. 2004. Thielaviopsis
diseases of palms. Proceedings of the Florida State Horti-
cultural Society 117:324-325.
Paulin-Mahady, A. F., T. C. Harrington, and D. McNew.
2002. Phylogenetic and taxonomic evaluation of Chalara,
Chalaropsis, and Thielaviopsis anamorphs associataed with
Ceratocystis. Mycologia 94:62-72.
Simone, G. W. 2004. Thielaviopsis diseases. Pages 37-38 in:
Compendium of Ornamental Palm Diseases and Disorders.
M. L. Elliott, T. K. Broschat, J. Y. Uchida, and G. W. Simone,
eds. American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN.
Wingfield, M. J., K. A. Seifert, and J. R Webber, eds. 1993.
Ceratocystis and Ophiostoma: Taxonomy, Ecology, and
Pathogenicity. American Phytopathological Society, St.
Paul, MN.
OF I FLOE A
IFAS Extension
Ganoderma Butt Rot of Palms'
Monica L. Elliott and Timothy K. Broschat2
Summary
• Ganoderma butt rot is caused by the fungus Ganoderma
zonatum. This fungus degrades or rots the lower 4-5 feet of
the trunk
. All palms are considered hosts of this fungus. This
fungus is not a primary pathogen of any other plant
family.
Symptoms may include wilting (mild to severe) or a
general decline. The disease is confirmed by observing
the basidiocarp (conk) on the trunk. This is a hard,
shelf -like structure that will be attached to the lower 4-5
feet of the palm trunk. However, not all diseased palms
produce conks prior to death.
. A palm cannot be diagnosed with Ganoderma butt rot
until the basidiocarp (conk) forms on the trunk, or the
internal rotting of the trunk is observed after the palm is
cut down.
. The fungus is spread by spores, which are produced and
released from the basidiocarp (conk).
• Conditions that are conducive for disease development
are unknown.
. There are currently no cultural or chemical controls for
preventing the disease or for curing the disease once the
palm is infected.
PP-54
• A palm should be removed as soon as possible after
the conks appear on the trunk. Remove as much of the
stump and root system as possible when the palm is
removed.
. Because the fungus survives in the soil, planting another
palm back in that same location is not recommended
without special precautions.
Introduction
Ganoderma butt rot is a lethal disease of palms, both in the
landscape and natural settings. While the disease is more
prevalent in the southern half of the state, where palms
are in greatest abundance, it is certainly not restricted to
that area. The fungus that causes the disease is distributed
throughout Florida, from Key West to Jacksonville to
Pennsacola. It is also known to occur in Georgia and
South Carolina.
Pathogen and Hosts
The fungal genus Ganoderma is a group of wood -decaying
fungi that are found throughout the world on all types of
wood — gymnosperms, woody dicots, and palms. There
are many different species of this fungus in Florida, but
only one is a pathogen of palms. That fungus is Ganoderma
zonatum. Another fungal name that was associated with
this disease in the first half of the 20th century was Gano-
derma sulcatum. Recently, these two species have been
grouped together as one, G. zonatum.
1. This document Is PP-54, one of a series of the Plant Pathology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural
Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date November 2000. Revised June 2012. V sit the EDIS website at http//edis.ifas.u..edu.
2. Monica L. Elliott, professor, Plant Pathology Department, and Timothy K. aroschat, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, Fort Lauderdale
Research and Education Center —Fort Lauderdale, FL; Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of
Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational Information and other services only to
individuals and institutions that function with nomdiscriminauon with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national
origin, political opinions or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A&M University Cooperative
Extension Program, and Boards of County commissioners Cooperating. Millle Ferrer -Chancy, Interim Dean
While there are a few reports of G. zonatum on non -palm
hosts, these reports are very limited. Therefore, palms are
considered the primary hosts of this fungus. In general, if
you observe a basidiocarp (conk) on a palm trunk, espe-
cially if it is still living, it is probably safe to assume it is G,
zonatum and not some other Ganoderma species. Likewise,
the Ganoderma species often observed on hard -wood trees,
such as oak, are rarely observed on living palms. These
other Ganoderma species may occur on dead palm trunks
and stumps, but they are present simply as saprobes (fungi
that live off dead plant material).
All palms are assumed to be susceptible to this disease.
While not all palms growing in Florida have been docu-
mented with Ganoderma butt rot, at least 65 species of
palms have. Those not documented with this disease are
not commonly grown and have thus far escaped. The only
possible exceptions would be palm species that do not form
woody trunks — e.g., Sabal minor and some Chamaedorea
spp. Since G. zonatum kills by degrading wood, these
palm species may not have any suitable tissue to serve as a
substrate for the fungus.
Symptoms, Signs and Diagnosis
Ganoderma zonatum is a white rot fungus that produces
numerous enzymes that allow it to degrade (rot) woody
tissue, primarily lignin and cellulose. As the fungus
destroys the palm wood internally, the xylem (water -
conducting tissue) will eventually be affected. Therefore,
Figurer. Sabalpolmetro(sabalpalm) with wilted and dessicated
leaves due to Ganoderma zonatum Infection.
Credits: M. L. Elliott
the primary symptom that may be observed is a wilting,
mild to severe, of all leaves but the spear leaf (Figures 1
and 2). Other symptoms can best be described as a general
decline - slower growth and off-color foliage. However,
these symptoms alone should not be used for diagnosis of
Ganoderma butt rot, since other disorders or diseases may
also cause these symptoms.
Figure 2. Syagrustomanzof ona (queen palm) dying from Ganoderma
zonatum. Only the spear and one other leaf remain green.
Credits: M. L. Elliott
The basidiocarp or conk is the most easily identifiable
structure associated with the fungus. The conk originates
from fungal growth inside the palm trunk. Figure 3
illustrates different stages in the development of the
conk. When the conk first starts to form on the side of a
Figure 3. Three phases of basidlocarp (conk) development of
Ganoderma zonatum. The white "button' near the top of the picture Is
the beginning stage of the conk. The lower -right structure Is a mature
conk. The lower -left structure Is also a mature conk but it is an old
one, the underside of this conk Is no longer white.
Credits: M.L.Elliott
palm trunk or palm stump, it is a solid white mass that is
relatively soft when touched. It will have an irregular to
circular shape and is relatively flat on the trunk or stump.
As the conk matures, a small shelf or bracket will start to
form as the basidiocarp begins to extend or protrude from
the trunk. It will still be white, both on the top and bottom
surfaces. Eventually, it will form a very distinct shelf -like
structure that is quite hard with a glazed reddish -brown
top surface and a white undersurface (Figure 4). A mature
conk will have distinct zones, hence the name G. zonatum.
The conk will have a half-moon shape with the relatively
"straight" side directly attached to the trunk.
Figure 4. Basidiocarp(conk) of Ganodermazonatum. Note glazed
reddish -brown top surface and white undersurface. The'straight"
side of the conk Is directly attached to the trunk, There Is no'stem'or
'stalk'that attaches the conk to the trunk.
Credits: M. L. Elliott
If a conk is present on the trunk at the same time the wilt or
decline symptoms appear, then it is safe to diagnose Gano-
derma butt rot. However, it is quite common for conks not
to appear prior to severe decline and death of a palm. In
that situation, the only way to determine if Ganoderma butt
rot is the cause is to cut cross -sections through the lower 4
feet of the trunk after the palm is cut down (Figures 5 and
6). Conks may form on the palm stump after the diseased
palm is removed.
Figure S. Cross -sections of lower trunk of Syagms romonzolBana
Infested with Ganodermazonatum. Top -left section is bottom section
(section 1) and remaining sections ptogress up the trunk. Note
darkening of wood due to fungal degradation (rot).
Credits: M.L. Elliott
Figure 6. Comparison of pygmy date palm sections that are either
healthy (right) or diseased (left) with Ganodermazonatum.
Credits: M.L. Elliott
Conks of G. zonatum can be up to 8 inches at their widest
point and 2 inches thick. However, conks will take on the
shape and size of the area in which they are growing (Figure
7). Microscopic basidiospores are produced in the "pores"
present on the underside of the conk. When basidiospores
are dropped en mass on a white surface, they will appear
brownish -red in color (Figure 8). Objects immediately
around a conk that has dropped its spores may appear to be
covered with a rusty colored dust. One conk can produce 3
cups of spores.
Figure 7. Cut palm stump with numerous basidiocarps (conks) of
Ganodermazonatum forming on It. The conks in the palm stump's
center are crowding each other and thus are forming Into shapes
different from those on the outer edges of the stump.
Credits: M. L. Elliott
Flgurea. Spore release from mature conks (same stump as Figure 7)
has resulted in reddish -brown appearance of conks and surrounding
area.
Credits: M. L Elliott
Disease and Fungus Life Cycle
The fungus is spread primarily by the spores produced in
the basidiocarp (conk). The spores become incorporated
into the soil, germinate and the hyphae (fungal threads)
then grow over the palm roots. The fungus does not rot the
palm roots, it simply uses the roots as a means of moving to
the woody trunk tissue (Figure 9). Once a palm is infected
with G. zonatum, the fungus will move with that palm to
the location in which it is transplanted. It is also possible
that soil associated with transplanted palms is infested with
the fungus.
Figure9. Longitudinal section through Phoenixroebefeniltrunk and
root system. The trunk Is darkened due to Infection with Ganoderma
zonatum. The fungus Is not rotting the roots but was Isolated from the
roots.
Credits: M. L. Elliott
We do not know exactly how many months or years pass
between initial infection of a palm and development of the
conk. There is no method that can determine if a palm
is infected with G. zonatum. Until the conk forms, there
can be no confirmation of this disease. Therefore, it is not
possible to guarantee that a palm is free of Ganoderma
when first planted in the landscape.
Figures 5 and 10 are examples of the wood rotting and
disease progression pattern observed. The fungus colonizes
and degrades the palm trunk tissue closest to the soil line
first, expands in diameter at the base and moves up the
center or near -center of the trunk. Therefore, the disease
progression pattern within the trunk is best described as
cone -shaped, widest at the soil line and narrowing to a
pinpoint.
Figure 10. Sections 5 and 6 of Figure 5 (bottom row, middle sections)
after Incubation In a moist chamber for 4days. White growth Is
hyphae of Ganoderma zonatum and corresponded with the discolored
area of the cross -sections.
Credits: M. L. Elliott
The location of the conk is where the fungus is emerging
from the trunk. This means the degradation is occurring
internally as the fungus moves from the lower center of
the palm to the outside. Therefore, wounds are not a likely
factor in disease initiation. Other external environmental
factors associated with the trunk are probably not associ-
ated with disease development either, such as too much
mulch around the trunk, irrigation heads striking the
trunk, Flowers or shrubs too close to the trunk, or painting
the trunk.
Disease Management
No environmental conditions or landscape management
practices have been observed that favor the development of
Ganoderma butt rot. The disease occurs in natural settings
(palms never transplanted) and in highly -maintained,
transplanted landscapes. It occurs on palms that have been
maintained very well nutritionally (no nutrient deficiencies)
and on palms that were severely stressed by deficiencies.
The disease occurs in well -drained settings and in swamps.
4
The fungus has killed trees that had no apparent mechani-
cal injuries and those that had been severely damaged by,
for example, weed trimmers. Soil type appears to have no
relationship with disease either, as diseased palms have
been observed on deep sands (both silica and calcareous),
muck (peat), and limestone rock. There has been no
discernible pattern to provide clues as to why some palms
become infected and die from G. zonatum, and others do
not.
In general, the fungus will be located in the lower 4-5 feet
of trunk. This has three implications. First, this means the
fungus is not spread with pruning tools since the fungus
is not associated with leaves. Second, this means that only
the lower trunk portion should not be chipped and used for
mulch. If possible, the diseased section should be placed
in a landfill or incinerated. The remaining, fungus -free
portion of the palm trunk could be chipped and used for
mulch in the landscape.
Third, only the lower 4-5 feet of trunk will need to be
protected from the fungus. However, typical xylem -limited,
systemic fungicides will not be effective unless they are
capable of spreading beyond the vascular tissue and
protecting all the wood in the lower portion of the trunk.
We know of no fungicide with these capabilities. Also, no
fungicide will be effective once the conks have formed,
since a large percentage of the trunk cross -sectional area
has already been destroyed. Since we have no means of
predicting or determining which palms are infected with
G. zonatum, this effectively eliminates the use of fungicides
as a control method, either preventively or curatively, for
the present time. Therefore, there are no fungicide recom-
mendations for this disease.
Since basidiospores from the basidiocarps (conks) are
probably the primary method of spreading the fungus,
palms should be monitored closely, especially after a palm
has died or been removed for any reason. The fungus will
readily colonize and degrade palm stumps (See Figures 7
and 8). Once the fungus becomes established in this dead
wood, it will normally produce conks with millions of
basidiospores that are easily moved by wind and water.
Therefore, monitor palms and palm stumps for the conks.
Remove the conk and place in a trash receptacle that will
be incinerated or delivered to a landfill. Do not place in
trash that will be recycled in the landscape. The earlier the
conk is removed (i.e., before it becomes a distinct shelf -like
structure), the less likely that spores will be released into
the environment. If you have never observed Ganoderma
butt rot on the property, monitoring the palms once every
six months will be adequate. Once you have observed the
conks on palms or have a palm cut or fall down for any
reason, monitor your palms at least once a month. Also,
monitor the entire neighborhood, not just your yard. These
spores blow with the wind, so it should be a community ef-
fort to reduce the spread of the spores of this lethal fungus.
Once a conk is observed on a palm, the palm should be
removed - primarily for safety reasons. This is especially
important during the hurricane season. As indicated
before, if conks are being produced on a live palm, it means
that a significant portion of the trunk is already rotted.
These palms are likely to be the first blown down in heavy
winds. As much as you may want to keep the palm, it is
probably best not to do so. When you remove the palm,
remove as much of the stump and root system as possible.
Alternatively, if you cannot remove the stump, then grind -
up the stump. This will allow the infected stump material to
degrade more quickly. By removing the stump or grinding
the stump into smaller pieces, this will help to limit
conk formation on any palm trunk material left behind.
You should still monitor the site for conk formation, as
described in the previous paragraph.
The fungus survives in the soil. It has been observed that
replacement palms planted into the same site where a palm
died from Ganoderma butt rot also became diseased and
died. Therefore, replanting with another palm is risky. No
other plant famiy (e.g. pines, oaks, woody shrubs, etc.)
are affected by G. zonatum - only palms. In other words,
replacing the Ganoderma-diseased palm with any other
plant except a palm would be a wise choice.
We do not know how long you should wait before it is safe
to plant another palm in a Ganoderma-infested site. We
can say that the time is measured in multiple years, not
months, since the fungus is probably capable of living in the
soil almost indefinitely.
If you insist on replanting with a palm, follow these
guidelines. Remove the stump and all roots from the
site. Then, fumigate the soil. You can have this done by a
licensed professional using a legally registered soil fumigant
for the landscape. An example would be the product
dazomet (trade name = Basamid). If the palm was located
in a site surrounded by concrete (ex: a street median),
also remove all of the old soil. Bring in new soil and then
fumigate. However, this does not guarantee the new palms
will remain free of Ganoderrna zonatum, as the fungus may
already be associated with the new palm and fungal spores
can be easily blown into the newly fumigated site.
Selected References
Elliott, M. L. and T. K. Broschat. 2001. Observations and
pathogenicity experiments on Ganoderma zonatum in
Florida. Palms 45:62-72.
Flood, I., P.D. Bridge, and M. Holderness, eds. 2000.
Ganoderma Diseases of Perennial Crops. CABI Publishing,
Wallingford, U.K.
Gilbertson, R.L., and L. Ryvarden. 1986. North American
Polypores. FungiFlora A/S. Oslo, Norway.
Miller, R.N.G., M. Hoderness, P.D. Bridge, G.F. Chung, and
M.H. Zakaria. 1999, Genetic diversity of Ganoderma in oil
palm plantings. Plant Pathology 45:595-603.
UF I F0i i 6A PP 219
IFAS Extension
Thielaviopsis Trunk Rot of Palm'
Monica L. Elliott2
Summary
. Thielaviopsis trunk rot is caused by the fungus Thielavi-
opsis paradoxa.
Due to this disease, the palm trunk either collapses on
itself or the canopy suddenly falls off the trunk, often
without warning. The palm canopy may appear healthy
prior to collapse.
Except for "stem bleeding; which is common in Cocos
nucifera (coconut), there may be no symptoms prior to
collapse of the palm.
Only fresh trunk wounds will become infected by the
fungus, so disease management includes limiting man-
made wounds to the palm trunk, especially the upper
third of the trunk.
. If the disease is detected early, cutting out the rotted,
infested wood followed by spraying the wound site with a
fungicide may be useful.
• There are no other methods to prevent or cure this
disease. The palm should be removed immediately, and
the diseased trunk portion destroyed but not recycled.
Introduction
Thielaviopsis paradoxa is a fungus that can infect any part
of a palm, and so can cause numerous diseases. In Florida,
the two most frequent (and usually lethal) Thielaviopsis
diseases observed in the landscape and field nursery are
a bud (heart) rot and trunk rot. Thielaviopsis bud rot is
discussed at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp144.
Pathogen and Hosts
Thielaviopsis paradoxa is a fungus with many names. Its
"asexual" stage name has changed from Thielaviopsis to
Chalara and, more recently, back to Thielaviopsis. It is this
stage that is most often encountered. The fungus produces
two different types of asexual spores, endoconidia and
chlamydospores. The latter will survive for long periods
in the soil The fungus also has a "sexual" stage name of
Ceratocystis paradoxa. This stage is rarely observed in
natural settings.
Thielaviopsis paradoxa appears to only be able to infect a
palm when a fresh wound is present. Likewise, diseases
caused by this fungus may progress more rapidly if the
palm is stressed. Most infections occur in non-lignified or
lightly lignified tissue. The fungus often, but not always,
produces volatile substances, specifically ethyl acetate and
ethyl alcohol, which give the diseased tissue a fermented
fruit odor.
While this fungus is found throughout the world, its host
range is primarily restricted to monocot plants grown in
warm climates. Besides palms, the fungus causes diseases
of banana, pineapple and sugarcane. While the fungus
has not been reported on every palm species grown in the
landscape, all palm species are considered potential hosts
for this fungus.
1. This document is PP-219, one of a series of the Plant Pathology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural
Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date October 2005. Revised March 2012.Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.uf.edu.
2. Monica L. Elliott, professor, Plant Pathology Department Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center --Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Florida Cooperative
Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to
Individuals and Institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national
origin, political opinions or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A&M University Cooperative
Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Fener-Chancy, Interim Dean
Symptoms
As indicated previously, this fungus prefers to degrade
(rot) non-lignified or lightly lignified plant tissue. Since the
greatest number of lignified fibers are in the lower trunk
and the least number in the upper trunk, this disease is
most often observed in the upper third of the trunk. While
there are no reliable symptoms that can be used to predict
which palms are infected with Thielaviopsis paradoxa and
which ones are not, two symptoms that might be observed
include the lowest leaves dying prematurely and hanging
down from the canopy and "stem bleeding" Unfortunately,
there often are no visible indications that a palm has
Thielaviopsis trunk rot until either the trunk collapses on
itself (Figures 1 and 2) or the canopy suddenly falls off the
trunk (Figure 3). The canopy often appears normal and
healthy.
Figure 1. Washingtonio robusto with trunk collapsed on itself due to
Thielaviopsis trunk rot.
Credits: F.W. Howard
In the situation where the canopy falls off the trunk, the
rot is occurring below the bud at the base of the canopy
in the woody tissue. This is also an area with little, if any,
lignified plant tissue. When the trunk rot is further down
the trunk, the fungus has rotted the trunk tissue until the
palm can no longer structurally support itself. Examination
of a cross-section through a diseased trunk illustrates that
the rot is located only on one side of the trunk (Figures 4
and 5). This is in contrast to Ganoderma butt rot, in which
the fungus is at the trunk base and rots from the center of
Figure 2. Cocos nucifera trunk collapsed upon itself due to
Thielaviopsis trunk rot.
Credits: M.L. Elliott
Figure 3. The canopy of this Phoenix conariensis fell off of the trunk
due to Thielaviopsis trunk rot.
Credits: H. Donselman
the trunk to the outside. Ganoderma butt rot is discussed at
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pplOO.
"Stem bleeding" is a common symptom of Thielaviopsis
trunk rot observed on Cocos nucifera (coconut). This stem
bleeding is a reddish -brown or brown or black stain that
runs down the trunk from the point of infection (Figure
6). Since any trunk wound may result in stem bleeding,
close examination of the point of infection is required. If
the stem bleeding is due to Thielaviopsis paradoxa and the
disease has progressed significantly, the tissue immediately
Figure 4. Cross-section of Washingtonia robusta trunk illustrating that
the rot caused by Thielaviopsis paradoxa occurs on only one side of
the trunk and moves from the outside to the inside of the trunk.
Credits: M.L. Elliott
Figure5. Cross-section of Cocos nucifera trunk illustrating that the rot
caused by Thielaviopsis paradoxa occurs on only one side of the trunk
and moves from the outside to the Inside of the trunk.
Credits: M.L. Elliott
surrounding the wound (infection point) will be quite soft
in comparison to surrounding trunk tissue. Palms other
than coconuts, especially those with a smooth trunk, may
also exhibit stem bleeding, but it seems to be most common
in coconut. Eventually, the trunk will collapse on itself at
the point of infection.
Diagnosis
The exact diagnosis of this disease is based on identification
of the fungal pathogen from the diseased trunk tissue. It
is usually not possible to determine the pathogen without
examining the fungal spores. These may be examined
directly on the plant tissue, if spores are being produced.
Isolation of the pathogen can be made on artificial media,
and this growth then observed for spores.
Figure 6. "Stem bleeding" on a Cocos nucifem due to infection from
Thielaviopsis paradoxa.
Credits: M.L. Elliott
Note that trunk tissue will be required for fungal isolation
and identification. The leading edge of the rotted trunk tis-
sue is the best material for success in this endeavor. older,
rotted trunk tissue is likely to have secondary fungi and
bacteria present, which complicate, and sometimes prevent,
the isolation of Thielaviopsis paradoxa.
The Florida Extension Plant Disease Clinic (FEPDC)
network is available for pathogen identification. Contact
your local county Extension office or FEPDC for details on
sample submission and cost of the laboratory diagnosis.
Disease Management
Thielaviopsis trunk rot usually occurs quite randomly,
with only a few palms in the landscape being affected.
However, there are situations where high numbers of palms
in a single landscape can become diseased, for reasons
that are not always clear. In all situations, there has to be
a fresh wound to the palm. Wounds can occur naturally,
such as trunk cracks due to excess water uptake. Insects
(such as ambrosia beetles), birds (sapsuckers pounding on
the trunk), rats, and other mammals can cause wounds.
Blowing objects during a wind storm can strike a trunk and
cause a fresh wound. Humans cause wounds with nails and
climbing spikes, or during the digging and transplanting
process.
Humans also create wounds when trimming leaves that are
not yet dead. Leaf petioles are cut as close as possible to the
trunk. If a leaf petiole has any green color associated with it,
the leaf is still living. When that still living petiole is cut, a
fresh wound is created that may be infected by the fungus.
Trunks can be easily wounded during the trimming process
with the careless use of the pruning tool. Pulling a leaf off
the trunk, when the leaf petiole still has green tissue, can
create a fresh wound.
The fungal pathogen can spread from palm to palm as
follows. First, if spores are produced on diseased palm tis-
sue, these spores can be moved by wind and water to fresh
wounds. The spores may also be moved about by insects or
rodents. Second, the chlamydospores are spores that can
survive in the environment, especially soil, for long periods.
Fresh wounds could become infected via contaminated soil.
Except for the stem bleeding, there are often no outwardly
visible symptoms that indicate which palm in the landscape
or field nursery has Thielaviopsis trunk rot. Thus, there are
no proven strategies for preventing this disease. Once the
palm has collapsed, remove it immediately as it is a source
of fungal spores. It is acceptable to plant a palm back into
the same location, but do so with caution. Minimize trunk
wounds and keep the upper half of the trunk from contact-
ing the soil.
If one does observe the initial stages of the trunk rot, such
as the stem bleeding, it would be useful to cut out the area
of rotted wood (if it is not too large a trunk area) and spray
the wound thoroughly with a fungicide labeled for Thielavi-
opsis diseases. Examples include, but are not limited to,
products with the active ingredients thiophanate methyl or
fludioxonil. The goal is to prevent the fungus from infecting
the fresh wound made when you cut out the infested, rotted
wood. All tools used to remove the rotted wood must be
cleaned with a disinfectant.
Examples of disinfectants include: 1) 25% chlorine bleach
(3 parts water and 1 part bleach); 2) 25% pine oil cleaner
(3 parts water and 1 part pine oil cleaner); 3) 50% rubbing
alcohol (70% isopropyl; equal parts alcohol and water);
4) 50% denatured ethanol (95%; equal parts alcohol and
water); 5) 5% quatenary ammonium salts. Soak tools for 10
minutes and rinse in clean water. For chain saws, soak chain
and bar separately.
Diseased trunk material should be destroyed and should
not be recycled in the landscape. Chipping and then spread-
ing the infested material in the landscape could spread the
fungus to healthy palms. If the trunk is chipped, it should
be placed in a properly constructed and monitored compost
heap, or taken to a landfill or incinerator.
Selected References
Garofalo, J. F., and R. T McMillan. 2004. Thielaviopsis
diseases of palms. Proceedings of the Florida State Horti-
cultural Society 117:324-325.
Paulin-Mahady, A. E, T C. Harrington, and D. McNew.
2002. Phylogenetic and taxonomic evaluation of Chalara,
Chalaropsis, and Thielaviopsis anamorphs associataed with
Ceratocystis. Mycologia 94:62-72.
Simone, G. W. 2004. Thielaviopsis diseases. Pages 37-38 in:
Compendium of Ornamental Palm Diseases and Disorders.
M. L. Elliott, T. K. Broschat, J. Y. Uchida, and G. W. Simone,
eds. American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN.
Wingfield, M. J., K. A. Seifert, and J. E Webber, eds. 1993.
Ceratocystis and Ophiostoma: Taxonomy, Ecology, and
Pathogenicity. American Phytopathological Society, St.
Paul, MN.
UFFLORIDAR
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center 3205 College Avenue
Davie, FL 33314-7719
954-577-6300
May 18, 2015
Vanessa Quinonez
Brickman Group
Operations Manager
8191 NW 84th Street
Medley, FL 33166
Vanessa.Quinonez@brickmangroup.com
Dear Vanessa:
This letter is a summary of our findings regarding the Phoenix daclylifera trunk sample that we
received from the Town of Bal Harbour site on April 30, 2015.
As indicated previously, this trunk sample clearly indicated that cause of the trunk failures
occurring in the Town of Bal Harbour were due to Thielaviopsis trunk rot caused by
Thielaviopsis paradoxa.
The following page illustrates the process and why it is so important to have a trunk section with
the transition tissue from dark to apparently healthy tissue. The sample provided this time was
perfect. We almost never isolate Thielaviopsis paradoxa from the darkened tissue. We usually
have to wait for the fungus to start growing from the "apparently" healthy tissue. Once that
happens, then we can pick off the gray mycelia and culture the fungus. No other fungus
produces the endoconidia and chlamydospores illustrated on the next page that were obtained
from the sample you provided.
If you have any questions, please contact me at 954.577.6315 or melliott@ufl.edu
Sincerely,
Monica L. Elliott, Ph.D.
Professor of Plant Pathology
Acting Center Co -Director
The Foundation for The Gator Nation
An Equal Opportunity Institution
Trunk sample brought in from Bal Harbour
within 24 hours of removal
This series of photos points out why it is
so important to have the entire section of
trunk with both diseased and apparently
healthytissue. The fungus Thielaviopsis
porodoxa does not grow out of darkened
tissue, but grows out of the apparently
healthytissue because that is its food
source.
Prepared by Dr. Monica L. ERioty University of Florida -IFS, Fort
Lauderdale Research and Education Center
Same section after 4 days incubation in lab.
Red arrow points to Thielaviopsis paradoxa.
Photo below is close-up.
The spore photo above was obtained from the gray mycelia shown with the rea arrow in the top
photo composite.
treeguru@ me.com, R D. Brennan Consuaing Inc. 305-323-7342
7/10/2015
John Oldenburg Director
Parks & Public Spaces at Bal Harbour
655-96th Street, Bal Harbour, Florida 33154
Re: Phoenix Dactylifera, Thielaviopsis
Dear Mr. Oldenburg,
I have completed my initial investigation of the Phoenix Dactylifera, with suspected
thielaviopsis.
Enclosed is a copy of my report for your review.
If you have any questions, about the investigation or what the next step should be,
please contact me at your earliest connivence.
Yours in arboriculture,
Robert D. Brennan
FI-1059-A
Tree Risk Assessment Qualified
American Society of Consulting Arborist
Bal Harbour Village
treeguru@me.com R. D. Brennan consuaing Inc.
Bal Harbour Village
305-323-7342
An Investigation of the Structural Integrity of Phoenix palms along the
streets of Bal Harbour Village
July 10, 2015
Prepared for:
John Oldenburg Director
Parks & Public Spaces at Bal Harbour
655-96th Street Bal Harbour,
Florida 33154
Prepared by:
Robert D. Brennan
3074 Kirk St.
Miami, FI 33133
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Table of Contents
305323-7342
Summary...............................................................................4
Introduction.............................................................................4
Background.....................................................................4
Assignment.....................................................................5
Purpose and Use..............................................................5
Observations............................................................................5
General Site Observations...................................................5
Discussion of testing..........................................................5
Conclusions..............................................................................6
Recommendations.....................................................................6
Glossary...................................................................................6
Bibliography..............................................................................6
Appendix A...........................Communication Dr. Elliott ...................8
Appendix B.............Photos of living and canopy removed trees .... 9 & 10
Appendix C......... German Tree Solutions Report ....................11 thru 16
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Summary
I was contacted by John Oldenburg, Director of Parks and Public Spaces for the city of
Bal Harbour. Mr. Oldenburg wanted me to analyze the Phoenix dactylifera trees that
were losing their heads. Suspecting, Thielaviopsis trunk rot. I told Mr. Oldenburg I
would arrive that afternoon on the 30th of June 2015.
My analysis to be, followed by a written report with suggestions of how to prevent this
fungal disease as well as how to tell before the head of the tree falls out. This is to
prevent personal injury or death from happening if at all possible.
I called Sebastian Koerber, a Board Certified Master Arborist to assist me with his
resistograph.
Introduction
Background
On June 30, 2015 1 received a phone call from the Director of Parks and Public Spaces
in the city of Bal Harbour, John Oldenburg. Mr. Oldenburg told me the tops of several of
his Phoenix dactylifera, palm, street trees had fallen out. He suspected Thielaviopsis
trunk rot.
That afternoon I met with Mr. Oldenburg and Jason Atkinson a certified arborist of great
competence. We were shown trees that had lost their tops as well as others that were
deemed healthy. In the rush we did not bring the resistograph with us. Jason and
Sebastian went back to get the resistograph while Mr. Oldenburg waited for a bucket
truck to make measurements above where we could reach from standing on the ground.
Mr. Oldenburg and I discussed the volume of Phoenix dactylifera, palms there are in Bal
Harbour. We also discussed their liability if one was to fall on a person or car. Because
this is a new disease to South Florida we are trying to figure out a way of determining
when the tree is failing before the top falls out.
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Assignment
1. Determine if possible a way to tell when a Phoenix dactylifera will fail before it
actually does.
2. Use a resistograph to establish a baseline. This will tell us what a healthy tree is
supposed to read.
3. Figure out a process to establish when a tree starts to loose it lignin in the outer
wall, this is the beginning of the failure point.
4. Establish procedures to examine trees that is cost effective.
Purpose and Use
The purpose of this report is to help the City of Bal Harbour and its Parks and Public
Spaces Director to make good fiscal and arboricultural decisions concerning the
incredibly valuable trees in their village.
Help them establish a pattern of checking trees as part of maintenance to specifically
target Thielaviopsis paradoxa.
Observations
We visually inspected ten to fifteen Phoenix dactylifera palms. These grow in a highly
maintained environment. I saw no dead fronds at all on my visit of June 30, 2015. This
is unusual, pruning must have just been completed.
General Site Observations
The Phoenix dactylifera palms line the streets of Bal Harbour and are a very important
and stately palm. It appears to me the palms are well cared for and nutritionally
satisfied. The area is one block off the Atlantic ocean. This contributes to a concern for
dicot trees but not usually palms. This is also part of what we are looking at. We did no
digging in the ground as it was not possible on that day.
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Testing and analysis
We used a Rinntech Resistograph and drilling needle which was disinfected with
alcohol after each drilling and prior to drilling into what was thought to be healthy tissue.
This process is described in Sebastian's report.
We drilled three trees. Two had lost their canopy already, the third we suspected to be
healthy.
Conclusions
The Resistograph tells us the density of the trunk of a tree wether it be dicot or
monocot. We are looking for a baseline for healthy Phoenix dactylifera palms. The one
we thought to be healthy we suspect is not. The readings from that palm are close to
the ones we got from the dead palms.
Recommendation
We recommend drilling 10 suspected healthy trees and 10 trees that are suspected to
have Thielaviopsis paradoxa. What this will do is to give us a way to easily and
effectively establish parameters that are not able to be seen with the naked eye.
This will not be a simple project and will take a few weeks to produce the profile
establishing the baseline of healthy to diseased trees.
At that point we should be able to identify an infected tree by drilling without major injury
to the tree. Quite a while before it would fall on its own.
There is also a pull test that will put proper stress on the trunk of the palm in order to
see if it will fail. A strong, healthy tree will not fail or be injured. An infected tree will fail
on command with all safety stations in place.
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Glossary
305-323-7342
Resistograph....... A tool that registers density thru the resistance of a needle spinning in
a piece of wood.
Phoenix dactylifera .......................Native to dry tropical regions like Babylonia, dessert
palm which is why they do not fruit here and are subject to disease.
Board Certified Master Arborist..... The International Society of Arboriculture highest
certification There are fewer than 600 BCMA's in the
world.
Resistograph needle....................a 1/8 diameter needle that spins into a piece of
wood the tool register's the resistance on a piece of
paper that is shown in the report.
Pull test.................................A specific test with gauges to rate the strength of the
trunk to establish a rating of preassure to pull till
failure.
Bibliography
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences......................Publication #PP-219
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences......................Publication #PP-144
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences......................Publication #PP-100
Bal Harbour Village Page 7 of 17
treeguru@me. com
Appendix A
R. D. Brennan Consuaing Inc. 305-323-7342
Bob,
We tried using a resistograph on a Phoenix roebelenii we knew had Ganoderma, and
the pattern was no different from the healthy. I think it is more likely to work for
Thielaviopsis.
If at all possible, use the resistograph on a presumed healthy tree for comparison.
Cheers,
Monica
Monica L. Elliott, Ph.D.
Professor and Acting Center Co -Director
University of Florida/IFAS I Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center
3205 College Avenue I Fort Lauderdale (Davie), FL 33314
954.577.6315 1 melliott@ufl.edu
-----Original Message -----
From: Robert Brennan [mailto:treeguru.brennan@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2015 8:47 PM
To: Elliott, Monica L.
Subject: Bay Harbor
I am looking at palm (Phoenix dactylifera's) in Bal Harbour... We have been using a
resistograph and drilling at about one foot increments from the bottom of the boots first
drill. about a foot down Two feet down and three feet down.. Then another at the base.
to see if there is a pattern in the resistance of the palms where the failure may occur...
I will keep you informed. If there is anything you can tell me to help it would be
appreciated...
:•.
Bal Harbour Village Page 8 of 17
treeguru@me.com
Appendix B
R. D. Brennan ConsuCting Inc. 305-323-7342
Beautiful and stately and potentially dangerous.....
Tears when canopy comes out.... Bal Harbour 101
Bal Harbour Village Page 9 of 17
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Appendix C
Bal Harbour report German tree solutions:
Report
Table of Contents
1. Assi
2
2. Inspection
4
3. Summary
5
4. Discussion
6
S. Attachments
z
Bal Harbour Village Page 11 of 17
treeguru@me.com X D. Brennan ConsuCt%ng Inc. 305-323-7342
1. Assignment
Bob Brennan asked me to perform a technical tree inspection on 3 Palms.
I performed this inspection on the 30th of June 2015. The goal was to evaluate
resistance drilling as a procedure to identify trunk decay.
2. Inspection
We performed multiple resistance drillings on 3 palm trunks. Palms 1 and 3 had failed,
the top part was no longer present. We drilled at the failure point (fp) and then
descending in steps of 50 cm. Reference drillings were made at breast height (bh) as
well.
Palm 2 was still intact. Here we started below the boots (bb) and descended likewise.
The drillings were performed with a 5 series Rinntech Resistograph and the drilling
needle was disinfected before drilling alleged "healthy tissue".
-50 = - 19.7 inches
-100 = - 39.4 inches
-150 = - 59.1 inches
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3. Summary
The expected density curve in a palm in general is a dense outer shell with
comparatively low density in the center, this is part of the mechanical "self optimization"
of the plant.
As expected the density distribution of the failed trunks is inverted at the failure point.
The low density center is still more dense than the decayed outer shell. At breast
height all trunks showed an expected density curve.
The profiles of the intact palm number 2 do not show an expected profile below the
boots.
4. Discussion
The drillings showed clearly the differences in density of decayed and intact
fibers. Palm 2 which was chosen to have at least one reference sample was
inconclusive. Two explanations are possible:
1. Palm 2 is infected and the decay is in an earlier stage.
2. Density distribution in the trunk is more homogenous the lesser the lever arm of
the trunk.
In order to find a statistical trend and to define parameters which would allow the clear
identification of infected palms by resistance drillings I recommend the following.
A tissue sample of palm 2 should be taken and analyzed.
10 assumed infected and 10 assumed healthy palms should be tested at points below
the boots (bb-50;bb-100;bb-150 then descending in 100 cm steps down to the ground
level).
Bal Harbour Village Page 13 of 17
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5. Attachments
R. D. Brennan Consuaing Inc. 305-323-7342
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Bal Harbour Village Page 16 of 17
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Bal Harbour Village Page 17 of 17
O!
SAL H OUR
F L OR I D A' S P A Il A D I S e
Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor 6 Council
From: Alfred J. Treppeda, Village Manager
Date: March 20, 2012
Subject: Motion Approving Replacement of Date Palm
One of the date palms in front of 10178 Collins Avenue has substantial damage to the
trunk and could have a weak spot at the damaged portion, causing a hazard.
The Billy Goat has agreed to honor a recent bid from December 2011 where they replaced
a date palm on 96t" Street. They were the low bidder (see attached memo).
The tree they will replace at 10178 Collins Avenue will be taller than the one they replaced
on 961h Street.
COUNCIL ACTION
Consider the recommendation to approve $6,250.00 in Resort
Tax funds for The Billy Goat to replace a damaged hazardous
date palm tree at 10178 Collins Avenue.
1_1al I Iarbom- Village Ball 9 655 96th Sweet, Bal Harbour 0 17L 33154 •306-866-4633 0 Fax 305-868-6575
Alfred Treppeda
From: William A O'Leary [olearydes@att.net]
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2012 12:45 PM
To: atreppeda@balharbour.org
Subject: FW: Palm Replacement on Collins
Attachments: 2nd MedjoolReplacement.doc; photo 1.JPG; photo 2.JPG; photo 3.JPG
March 16, 2012
Alfred -there is a date palm at 10178 Collins Ave, on the West side, that even though it looks healthy, needs to be
replaced. As you can see from the attached photo, there is substantial damage to the trunk about half way up on the
South side. I am concerned that the healthy looking top could snap off. The price from The Billy Goat Is the same as the
previously bid replacement cost of $6250 for a palm on 96 Street, and the palm we are getting is larger. I would
recommend approval.
Bill O'Leary
Village Landscape Architect
From: Jason Houck [malltoJason0thebillygoat.net]
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2012 9:38 AM
To: William A O'Leary
Subject: Palm Replacement on Collins
Hey Bill, I have heard back from Groundworks and they are going to give us the palm at the same price but it will be V —
2' shorter (I just wanted to let you know), it wont be visible to the regular eye. It will still be larger than the one we just
replaced on 96v' St. (by a few feet)
Anyhow, lets touch base Monday so we can schedule it.
Thanks and have a great weekend)
Jason Houck
Sales Manager
The Billy Goat
(305)666.0111 offs.
(305)666.0778 tax
www.thabillvaoat.net
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Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor & Council
From: Alfred J. Treppeda, village Manager
Date: December 15, 2011
Subject: Motion Approving Replacement of Date Palm on 96t° Street
One of the date palms on 96th Street near Saks Fifth Avenue has died and needs to be
replaced.
Landscape Architect, Bill O'Leary, has obtained the following three proposals for removal
of the dead tree and purchase/installation of a new tree:
The Billy Goat
The Brickman Group
Landscaping Associates, Inc.
$6,250.00 (Low Bidder)
Mr. O'Leary recommended that we award the bid to The Billy Goat, the low bidder for the
project.
COUNCIL ACTION
Consider the recommendation to approve $6,250.00 in Resort
Tax funds to replace a dead date palm tree on 96th Street with
the job being performed by The Billy Goat.