Eventually, the affected leaves die, followed by necrotic development in the oldest leaves extending progressively upwards to the crown. The dead desiccated fronds droop at the point of attachment to the trunk or snap at some point along the petioles, hence creating a skirt of dead fronds around the palm. Often, when foliar symptoms are observed, it is usually found that the Ganoderma fungus has rotted at least one-half of the basal stem tissue. Mature palms take up to one to two years to die if left untreated.