Question
I have a palm tree...don't know the variety...that we acquired in southern New Mexico about 5 years ago.  It is about 1 foot in diameter at its base and 7 feet tall.  Because of the harsh winter climate in Albuquerque, we place insulation around the entire plant each winter and it has survived very well.

This year, I noticed a large (3 in by 9 in) spongy spot on the truck that is sort of wet.  I've attempted to identify the type of disease that might be causing the problem but can not find any such description on the Internet.  Any idea what it might be and how we might go about erradicating this thing without killing the plant.  It's leaves are healthy and everything else seems okay.

Thanks.

Answer
Art, I really need to know the variety, different palms have different afflictions; Queen Palms are very susceptible to a disease called Ganoderma or butt rot, the symptoms are an area at the base of the palm develops a rotted area that spreads inward, and a conk like growth develops outward; what you are describing is something I have never seen here in Florida, so I would contact your Cooperative Extension Service (county department) and have them take a sample of it to diagnose; if you can tell me the type of palm, I can talk to some of my cohorts here who are very knowledgeable on the subject. Nick