Question

Palm tree damage   QUESTION: I just moved into a home that has a palm tree that I am unfamiliar with at the
end of a driveway.  While moving in the moving truck backed into the tree,
leaving a 2.5 foot 3inches wide and 4 inches deep gash in the tree.  Will the
tree survive this kind of damage? What can I do to help it get thru the self
repairing stages.   How do I identify what kind of tree it is, so I can file a
claim against the moving company?  Can I send you a picture?

ANSWER: Hi Tiffany, Its a "Bottle Palm" and it may or may not recover, but you need to know that Palms do not have woody trunks, or bark, they have trunks that are comprised of tissue, and this tissue bleeds when traumatized and what has happened to your Bottle Palm may eventually cause its slow decline, but this may not manifest itself for months, so as long as you know the score, you can act accordingly with your claim against the company. All you can do is make certain it is properly irrigated and fertilized 3 times a year, other then that, there is really nothing you can do for the wound; watch it and if it becomes a haven for insects, then you may have to address that down the road. Nick

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QUESTION: If it does become a haven for insects what should I do? Maybe contact my local nursery or a palm specialist/arborist for more detailed answers?  Thanks so much for your help!! I really appreciate it.

Answer
...I would definitely have an experienced person look at it (I could only tell so much from the image...) to see just how extensive the damage is, especially considering the claim you will be putting in against the moving company. If you see any kind of insect problem, then it is just a matter of spraying the area with Sevin or the like, and killing the insects,  you won't hurt the palm. Nick