Homeowner checklist: what to inspect (frass, bore holes, crown damage)

Homeowner post-rain checklist (Hawaii palms, CRB-focused)

• Confirm conditions are right

  • No rain in the forecast.

  • Soil is damp, not soggy: no standing water; top few inches aren’t muddy; irrigation is off.

    
    

• Do a quick crown (top) scan

  • Look for chewed or V-shaped cuts on new fronds.

  • Check for wilting/sagging spear leaf (the newest upright leaf) or a spear that pulls out easily.

  • Note any thinning canopy or uneven, “off-balance” growth.

    
    

• Check for CRB activity signs

  • Frass (sawdust-like material) around the crown, in leaf bases, or on the ground.

  • Round bore holes or fresh damage near the crown/upper trunk.

  • Oozing sap or wet-looking spots around suspected entry points.

    
    

• Inspect the trunk and base

  • New cracks, soft spots, or rot after heavy rain.

  • Mushrooms/fungal growth at the base (often a stress/decay indicator).

  • Soil erosion exposing roots or a palm that now leans more than before.

    
    

• Look for water-related stress

  • Yellowing that appears suddenly after rain, or leaf tip burn following a wet-to-dry swing.

  • Salt spray + rain areas: note browning on windward sides.

    
    

• Reduce risk before treatment

  • Clear debris in the crown area (fallen fronds/organic buildup) if safely reachable from the ground.

  • Avoid piling mulch against the trunk; keep a small breathing ring around the base.

    
    

• Document for faster diagnosis

  • Take 3 photos: full palm, close-up of crown damage, and any frass/holes.

  • Write down: date of last rain, irrigation schedule, and when symptoms first appeared.

    
    

  Safety Note:

  • Don’t climb or use ladders on wet ground; if the crown is high, keep it to ground-level observations and photos.

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