If the spear leaf has died, the palm should be removed as soon as possible. Death of the spear leaf indicates the apical meristem (bud) has died, so no new growth will occur. Although lower leaves may remain green for a number of months after the spear leaf dies, it is in the best interest of the nursery grower or the community to remove the infectious palm as soon as possible. The diseased palm serves as a source of the phytoplasma that can be transmitted by an insect vector to still-healthy, TPPD-susceptible palms.