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Lethal Bronzing In Galveston, Texas
Lethal Bronzing in Galveston, Texas – Urgent Palm Tree Alert
Lethal Bronzing is aggressively spreading across Galveston Island and the upper Texas coast, killing high-value palms in neighborhoods, resorts, and waterfront properties. The photo shown here is a real example of how quickly this disease can destroy an entire landscape—multiple mature palms, worth tens of thousands of dollars, died within months. In downtown Galveston, this same disease has already taken down monumental historic palms more than 100 years old, leaving permanent gaps in the skyline
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Documented Quarantine & High Risk Areas in Galveston
Many areas on Galveston Island are now officially documented as Lethal Bronzing hot zones. Confirmed cases have been found in Jamaica Beach, Pirates Beach, Galveston Historical Areas, and surrounding waterfront communities. These highlighted areas represent locations where palms have already tested positive and where state alerts and quarantines have been issued.
The Texas Department of Agriculture and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension continue to confirm new infected samples. Properties inside or even near these mapped zones face significantly higher risk. If you have not yet begun preventative treatment, your palms are vulnerable to the same rapid decline occurring throughout the island.
Click Here To See The Agrilife Quarantine Map Of Lethal Bronzing In Galveston
WHAT LETHAL BRONZING LOOKS LIKE
The Canary Island Date Palm shown here was valued at around $20,000 before it died from Lethal Bronzing. This disease causes the lower fronds to rapidly bronze and collapse, followed by thinning of the canopy and eventual death of the central spear. Once the spear collapses, the palm cannot recover.
Lethal Bronzing is caused by a tiny bacteria-like phytoplasma that moves through the palm’s internal vascular system. It spreads silently at first, which is why so many high-value palms die before owners even notice early symptoms. At this time, there is no cure for an advanced infection—only early detection and preventative treatment can protect nearby palms.
To Learn More About Lethal Bronzing And How It Is Spread Click Here
Recommended Treatments & Environmental Safety
The current recommended treatment protocol from leading universities and plant health authorities calls for a systemic insecticide to target the vector that spreads Lethal Bronzing, paired with oxytetracycline injections to help suppress the phytoplasma inside exposed palms. This program is also supported with professional palm fertilization, which improves nutrient uptake, strengthens the vascular system, and helps palms absorb treatments more effectively during periods of stress.
While these treatments are essential, they must be applied responsibly—especially in Galveston, where our palms sit directly beside sensitive waterways, bays, marshes, and the Gulf. Spraying systemic insecticides near water is unsafe, as drift or wash-off can harm fish, crabs, shrimp, birds, and countless aquatic species. Granular insecticides carry similar risks when rain or irrigation pushes residue toward storm drains.
For this reason, Palm Professionals uses a precision injection system, delivering every ounce of treatment directly inside the palm with zero runoff and zero contamination. We do this not only because it is effective, but because we are committed to being true environmental stewards, protecting both your palms and the wildlife that makes the Texas coast irreplaceable.
OUR SMALL-NEEDLE INJECTION SYSTEM VS. LARGE DRILL HOLES
Most companies treat palms by drilling large holes into the trunk for every injection. Each visit requires new drill sites, which permanently damage the palm’s internal tissue, reduce absorption over time, and leave scars that never heal. This method is outdated and unnecessarily harmful to your trees.
We use a cutting-edge, small-needle injection system specifically designed for palms. Our modified injection tool delivers oxytetracycline and systemic insecticides through tiny needle ports instead of large drill holes. This minimal-impact technique protects the tree, avoids long-term structural damage, and is especially important for high-value palms that you want to preserve for decades to come.
The Texas Origins of Lethal Bronzing and Gary Kennemer’s Foundational Work
Lethal Bronzing was first documented in the United States right here in Texas, and Palm Professionals has been on the front line from the beginning. In fact, when the disease was originally misnamed Texas Phoenix Palm Decline (TPPD), Gary Kennemer was one of the first industry professionals to challenge the accuracy of that name and advocate for the correction to Lethal Bronzing, a term that better reflects the pathogen and avoids implying it was exclusive to Texas or Date Palms. Gary also initiated many of the early diagnostic tests that led to quarantines in Kemah, Shoreacres, River Oaks, Galveston, and multiple other areas along the upper Texas coast. His long-term field mapping, disease tracking, and on-site investigations helped lay the foundation for how this disease is recognized today. He continues to collaborate directly with University of Florida IFAS researchers, USDA, Department of Agriculture, Agrilife, and serves on the committee for PalmQuest research initiatives as a cooperative educator—sharing Texas-based data and contributing to the ongoing search for better treatments and long-term solutions.
Protect Your Palms Now Before It’s Too Late
If your palms are located on Galveston Island, Jamaica Beach, Tiki Island, Kemah, Shoreacres, Clear Lake, or anywhere along the upper Texas coast, they are already within reach of Lethal Bronzing. Every month that passes without treatment increases the chance of losing irreplaceable palms—especially large date palms, historic specimens, and coastal plantings exposed to the insect vector. Palm Professionals is the most experienced palm health team in Texas, offering small-needle injections, university-aligned treatment schedules, and decades of hands-on expertise. Contact us today to schedule an on-site evaluation and immediate protection plan for your property. Your palms can’t wait—and with the right experts, many can still be saved.