Growth on Windmill palm

Hello, I have a neighbor who has noticed a large yellow growth appearing on his windmill palm. He is tempted to cut it off, but in the only information I have found on windmill palms, I read that it may be a fruit that this tree produces. He has had it for a few years and this is the first time he has noticed this type of growth. So, should he assume it is a fruit? Should he allow it to grow??? Is it edible??? Thank you for any information.

 

I'd say it's a flower, and he should let it go.

 

They seem to be coming into bloom around Vancouver, so I would also guess it to be an florescence. I would not cut it off. They are ornamental and so are the fruit that follows. I don't know them to be edible.

Photo of immature fruit:
http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/potd/2008/01/trachycarpus_fortunei_1.php

 

Any palm / plant that's flowering obviously is quite content ... so leave the sob alone.

Cheers, LPN.

 

Thank you. We are watching this and am anxious to see the end result.....