Lethal yellowing is a disease first noticed in the Caribbean region of North America about 100 years ago. However, it was not until the 1950s with a devastating outbreak in Jamaica and the Florida Keys that the economic consequences of lethal yellowing were recognized and intensive research began. More recently, the disease has spread to other areas of Florida and into Texas. There is no cure for lethal yellowing; susceptible palms can be inoculated as a preventative measure four times annually.

Symptoms
Lethal Yellowing gets its name from the yellowing and drooping of palm fronds beginning with the lower fronds and advancing up through the crown. The disease characteristically has the following progression:
1) Coconuts, mature and immature, begin to drop from coconut palms and fruit begins to drop from other varieties, a process called 'shelling'.
2) Flower stalks (inflorescences) begin to blacken.
3) Palm fronds start to yellow (or, in the case of some species, turn greyish-brown), beginning with the older, lower fronds and progressing up through the crown.
4) Spear leaf collapses and the bud dies. By the time this happens, the tree is already dead.
5) Entire crown falls from the palm leaving a forlorn 'telephone pole' stalk. The palm dies within three to six months of the first symptom.

Most common susceptible palms include Coconut, Christmas and Canary Island Date Palms.

Cause
The cause of lethal yellowing a bacteria-like organism called a phytoplasma. Phytoplasmas are not yet well understood but, like bacteria, they can be controlled with prevention.

Spread of the Disease
The lethal yellowing micro-organism is spread by an insect, called the Planthopper (myndus crudus).

What to Do
There is to date no cure for lethal yellowing, only prevention. Quarterly injections can keep the disease in check if the palm has not already contracted the disease. Planting disease resistant palms, early detection, removing the host plant as soon as possible, and prevention by inoculation programs are the best methods for management of Lethal Yellowing.

Signature Tree Care is a certified University of Florida LY inoculator. Injections are performed on a consistent quarterly basis accompanied with inspections to aid in protecting your palms from the deadly disease. Technique of the application is paramount when providing this prophylactic. Any deviation from proper technique will render the inoculation useless. Proper spacing of injections, depth, angle of drill hole, height of injection site on trunk, dose relative to size of palm, Level of LY activity in locale are all pertinent to a successful program. We also perform timely removals if needed with the proper disposal of infected material, along with injections of susceptible palms on your property the same day.