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What is Ganoderma?
Ganoderma is a disease which
infects all varieties of palm trees in Florida. One infected tree
can infect all palm trees in
the immediate area. The following phrase used by scientists when
discussing Ganoderma, aptly describes the insiduous nature of this
disease:
"Ganoderma is to palms what aids is to humans."
Early Stages of Ganoderma
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Close-up of queen's infected
head appears to be strong, but weak fronds indicate early
stages of Ganoderma. |
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Curved palm showing first symptoms
of Ganoderma - drooping, yellowish lower fronds - show loss
of vigor.
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Small conch - confirms the presence
of Ganoderma. Conchs usually appear near the soil,
but may also be found on the trunk or surface roots
of
a palm.
The infected palm must be removed immediately to prevent
the spread of infection to other palms. |
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Last Stages of Ganoderma
The once small white conch has developed
to its maximum contagious stage, having released spores which
will be carried by air currents to other palms.
This fungus-like growth is a wound parasite which means
you should protect your palms from being injured by weed
whackers
which cause wounds close to the ground. Be wary of poor landscape
maintenance practices - lawn mowers and edgers can also cause
damage which allows Ganoderma to develop. |
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Disintegrating, shrunken, and dry, this root from an infected
palm was unable to absorb nutrients and moisture from the
soil.
Even with good sanitation measures, i.e. saturation of the
soil with bleach and fungicides after removal of an infected
palm; removal of all wood chips and debris resulting from
the disposal of the infected tree; allowing the soil to "rest" for
a year before installing a replacement palm - or - the final
resort, total soil replacement, Ganoderma will often affect
a replacement palm.
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The palm pictured here is a prime example, being one of many
which were replanted in a location where Ganoderma has been
virulent. As others before it, this tree has succombed to
this disease. |
Removal of Infected Palm
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Sanitation is the major emphasis - root systems,
stumps, and trunks should be removed immediately in an attempt
to avoid spread of the disease. |
The upper portion of this infected palm
was cut off 5 feet from the ground.
Ganoderma infects trunks up to about
4+ feet. If the site permits, all sawdust
and wood chips should be contained by using tarps. |
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The infected palm is removed piece by
piece. Fronds and soil must be removed immediately from the
site for sanitary disposal.
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| The remaining 5 feet of palm trunk must be dug out with as much of the root system
as possible to limit soil removal and replacement. |
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Bleach and hydrogen spray were used to
fumigate the soil and immediate area and Bleach was used
to disinfect all tools used to remove the infected tree.
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| After treatment with fungicides and bleach
throughout the year following removal of an infected Queen
Palm, the soil which once surrounded the infected palm, is
host to new Ganoderma bracts - this contaminated soil
prevents the replanting of any species of palm tree. |
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To-date there is no cure for Ganoderma!
Good landscape practice requires that all tools and shovels used
in the garden be disinfected with Bleach during maintenance trimming
of palm fronds and seed pods. NOTE: Your landscape maintenance
crew should disinfect their saws and trimmers before moving from
one palm to the next. The exact manner by which this disease spreads
is still an unknown and until the mystery of Ganoderma is resolved,
tools and saws should be disinfected before moving on to the next
palm. Remember that Ganoderma in its early stage of infection cannot
easily be detected and your crew can unknowingly spread the disease
using tools that have not been disinfected.
Ganoderma is virulent - protect
your palms and your neighbors's palms - remove any palm which
shows early signs of this disease.
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