Question about the big El Paso freeze

For cold hardy palm tree enthusiasts.

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cuja1
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Question about the big El Paso freeze

Post by cuja1 » Mon Feb 24, 2014 3:13 pm

I think it was in 2011. After viewing El Paso TX on google earth, it was obvious that most of the palms there didn't survive. Some of them did that, actually alot did. I was wondering if that is because they are genetically capable of handling more cold or if it was pure "luck" as some would say. If they are capable of handling more cold could it be possible to use these survivors to create more cold hardy palms?


Jeff

chadec
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Post by chadec » Mon Feb 24, 2014 5:47 pm

Definitely consider those palms to be hardier. A lot of " forms " of palms we have that are considered hardy are because the seed is collected from survivors of palms after severe freezes or areas of severe cold.

cuja1
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Post by cuja1 » Tue Feb 25, 2014 7:41 am

I read somewhere that people in El Paso where saying that they shouldn't plant palm trees anymore. I say get the seeds from the survivors and plant them everywhere again.
Jeff

Cameron_z6a_N.S.
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Post by Cameron_z6a_N.S. » Tue Feb 25, 2014 12:18 pm

I think it's a combination of genetics, luck, and climate. The fact that even some CIDPs survived the event speaks to what people can grow in a dry area, even if it occasionally suffers through that type of cold.
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chadec
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Post by chadec » Tue Feb 25, 2014 6:25 pm

I wouldn't waste my time with CIDP's unless you are really in the deep south of Texas. Upper Texas zones 7 through 8 will not support the hardest of dates. Right now I am here at Mrytle Beach and not one CIDP or Washy has made it through winter with any green. Now being in a zone 9b I am sure some will come back, but in colder regions not likely.

Cameron_z6a_N.S.
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Post by Cameron_z6a_N.S. » Tue Feb 25, 2014 7:48 pm

There were some fairly large dates in El Paso before (and some after) this freeze event. These were CIDPs, and not even the hardiest species like P. theophrastii! It's true that growers are taking a risk that the trees will be killed once every decade, but there's a huge difference between the cold + dry climate of Texas vs. the cold + wet of NC, especially for most species of date palm. It's what "zone denial" is all about :lol:
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chadec
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Post by chadec » Tue Feb 25, 2014 7:54 pm

Farther west and south you go the better off you are. I guess thats why they are growing coconut palms on san pedro island Texas.

905palms
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Post by 905palms » Wed Feb 26, 2014 3:55 am

chadec wrote:I wouldn't waste my time with CIDP's unless you are really in the deep south of Texas. Upper Texas zones 7 through 8 will not support the hardest of dates. Right now I am here at Mrytle Beach and not one CIDP or Washy has made it through winter with any green.
Wish I was in Myrtle right now... Home away from home :cry: How do the Palmetto's look?

chadec
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Post by chadec » Wed Feb 26, 2014 5:37 am

Newly planted hurricane cuts, not so good. All older palms look like new. Even volunteers growing seed do not show any damage. A couple pindos look bad, but they could have been in bad health prior to winter. Now the CIDP's and Washies are all toasted. I feel confident that the CIDP's will come back out. Some of the Washies still have supports holding them up, so being newly planted I dont give them much of a chance. No damage to agaves but oleander is toasted unless in a very sheltered location.

DesertZone
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Post by DesertZone » Sat Mar 01, 2014 6:44 am

Don't write off the CIDP and the robustas. After the -5f freeze in AZ, NM, and TX most come back from the dead. :wink:
Shoshone Idaho weather
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Here's to all the global warming pushers, may your winters be -30 below and four feet of snow in your driveway. Because I want you happy.
-Aaron-

chadec
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Post by chadec » Sat Mar 01, 2014 6:40 pm

Much dryer location there, and duration of cold is shorter. El Paso is very warm too I think they both will come back. Not too sure they can make it too far north of there though.

chadec
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Post by chadec » Sun Mar 02, 2014 6:23 am

Aaron, any ideas how the palms are doing in Texas this winter. I have no idea how far south this polar vortex hit. On my road trip through the Carolinas it looked like the zones held pretty close. Pindos are burned in zone 7, and little damage in zone 8 even as far inland as Rockingham. Like I said Phoenixs and Washies were all toast out on the coast, but should come back. Well, washies are being planted like sabals now hurricane cut with no roots. Not sure how long some of em have been there.

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