Question
About half the leaves on the tree have disappeared. There are tiny white "balls" that cover nearly the entire surface of the soil in the pot. What could this be?

Answer
HI Morgan,

What do these little "balls" look like?  How big are they?  Are they smooth?  Are they fuzzy?  Are there any of them on the fronds of the palm?

There are some time-release nutrients that are shaped like small, offwhite balls, and often times those remain a long time in or on the soil.  They are often mistaken for "pests".  

When you say that half of the fronds have disappeared, do you mean that they have died and been removed, or is it more as though they have been "eaten"?  

Get back to me, and photos would be a great help. You can send them to [email protected]