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If your palm tree has spots on the leaves, rotting buds, or is beginning to turn yellow, then you have a sick tree on your hands. You should contact a palm tree specialist to identify the problem and help treat the tree if possible. Preventing diseases and pests is key to a healthy palm tree, and it's essential to take action as soon as possible if your tree is showing signs of being sick.

Dead trees are dangerous for several reasons. They are structurally compromised and prone to branch or trunk failure, which can pose a significant safety risk to people, vehicles, and nearby structures. Dead trees can also harbor pests like termites, which may spread to other trees or your home. If a tree died from a disease, it could spread the illness to healthy trees. Additionally, the dry wood is highly flammable, increasing fire risk.

In general, trees should be planted no closer than 15 to 20 feet from your foundation. For larger trees with far-reaching roots like maples, oaks, or poplars, a good guide is to plant as many feet from your home as the tree’s height is expected to reach at maturity. Some trees, like elms and willows, should only be planted far from where their roots may encounter sewer or water lines.

In most ways, palm trees are incredibly low-maintenance. They don’t need a ton of water—which is why they’re so beloved in desert regions—and they basically prune themselves. But they do need an ample supply of sunlight and to be in soil that will allow for proper drainage so that their roots don’t become waterlogged and at risk of developing illnesses.

If the plant begins to wilt, develop spots, or change color, these could all be signs that your palm tree has a disease. But a few basic treatments, like pruning and applying fungicide, will usually be more than enough to return it to perfect health.