TreeHelp.com
Your Account Help Contact


Tree Care Info

BBBOnLine Reliability Seal

BizRate Customer Certified (GOLD) Site

ORDER ONLINE or
BY TOLL-FREE PHONE
1-877-356-7333

Jeff Tekavcic is the General Manager of TreeHelp.com.  If you have questions about TreeHelp's products, please do not hesitate to contact him or any of our staff. Need help with our products?
Read our FAQs
or
Contact
Customer Service

$6.95 Flat-fee shipping
¤
U.S. orders shipped from Buffalo, NY
¤
Canadian orders shipped from Toronto, ON


Home > Trees > Species Info > Palm Trees > Insects and Diseases >
Ganoderma Butt Rot

Ganoderma zonatum

Description
Ganoderma butt rot is a relatively new and lethal disease of Florida palm trees. It is caused by a fungus, Ganoderma zonatum, which invades the base or butt of palm trees up to a height of three to four feet above the ground. The disease was first discovered in Florida in 1994 and in only a few years it has spread to infect palms throughout the state. At this time, it cannot be said with certainty that there are any palm trees resistant to ganoderma butt rot.

The ganoderma zonatum fungus most often invades a palm tree by means of a wound at the base of the tree. The fungus then begins to rapidly work its way through the tree’s butt area essentially rotting the wood. Once the fungus has worked its way through the centre of the tree to the surface, it forms a fruiting body called a ‘conk’, a spongy, whitish mushroom-like growth which grows to form a horizontal disc extending out from the bark.

Treatment
Unfortunately, there is currently no effective treatment for ganoderma butt rot. By the time the conk has appeared on the bark, the tree is effectively dead and must be removed. While the wood above the butt area can be safely mulched, use extreme care when disposing of the butt wood in order to avoid spreading the fungus to other palms. Wrap the wood in plastic and dispose of it by incineration or take it to a landfill. Sterilize all tools and even be careful with clothing and gloves.

While there is no sure-fire way of preventing ganoderma butt rot infestation, the danger can be reduced by avoiding injuring the trunks of the palm trees on your property. Be especially careful when using lawnmowers and other gardening implements. Should you suspect a ganoderma butt rot infestation on your property, consult with your local forestry officials for information and advice.

Back to Palm Tree Insects and Diseases

 

Browse the Palm Section
Introduction
Types of Palms
Care Advice
· Soil Improvement
· Fertilizing
· Watering/Pruning
· Choosing a Palm
· Planting a Palm
· Cold Protection
Insects & Diseases
Register Your Palm
Products for your palm trees

 
TreeHelp Store
¤
Flat-rate shipping
¤
Products for Palm Trees
Annual Care Kit for Palm Trees
Including: fertilizer spikes, mycorrhizal fungi, and a biostimulant.
More products just for palms
Specialty tools for tree care
TreeHelp Soil Drill
TreeHelp Soil Drill

More unique tools

More products at the TreeHelp Store

 

TreeHelp.com currently accepts
TreeHelp.com accepts Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Discover and PayPal payments.