Palm trees in Iowa?

F1aReD · Post by **F1aReD** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 11:50 am

I came across a You Tube video of some Windmill Palms (T.Fortunei) supposedly growing outside of a Holiday Inn in Iowa. I said, "This is fake, I bet this is a video from Texas or Florida" until I did some research and found out to my surprise, no, these were actually planted at a business, in IOWA...not just someones backyard, with say, PROTECTION? I don't know if anyone has seen this before or brought up this topic, but I also found this link. http://www.kcci.com/r/17202090/detail.h ... <br>Anyhow, I feel bad for these palms. Considering this was from 2008, I'm sure they are long gone by now.

Paul Ont · Post by **Paul Ont** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 12:00 pm

http://iowapalmtrees.blogspot.com/searc ... -results=1

They did not make the 2008 winter. I don't know what happened to the replacements.

Maybe they should have consulted our own Jim in Iowa... He's having much better luck!

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 4:02 pm

They said they overheated them the first year.
Presumably the replacement stock was treated a little differently, still no success.
Yup, Jim would've made 'em survive!

What amazes me is that he was offered a warranty.

Barb

F1aReD · Post by **F1aReD** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 8:32 pm

I'm amazed they actually replaced them under warranty. Either way, what a waste of money for both....must have been expensive.

mnpalms · Post by **mnpalms** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 3:58 am

They made some fatal mistakes. The first winter they (supposedly) overheated them. I made a similar mistake with a large windmill in the past too while learning but I'm not sure I buy their story of "overheating". On mine the roots were kept too warm which caused the tree to dry out during winter under its protection leading to its defoliation and subsequent death.

The second winter in Iowa, with the replacement trees, they tried a different method. This time they protected them but did not add any backup heat source. That time they froze them. Idiots, they should have listened to those of us who know how to winter palms. Windmills can survive very cold temps, but for shorter durations, not for several months at a time. They need to get up to or above freezing often. A couple strands of Xmas lights and a Thermocube is all it would have taken for the Iowa trees to survive. Too bad...

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 7:19 am

Thanks Paul

I was not aware that they heated them the first year.....
or just don't recall,I know they were supposedly not allowed
to run electricity out to the enclosures by the fire marshal

-supposedly-

I can't imagine why since(as mentioned)all they needed were some X-mas lights......

Anyway

From what I saw they are fried again and will be planting native plants........

to bad.they were so close and could have done it easily with no more trouble
then they already went to!

BTW

I did try contacting the guy but he never got back to me-it can be annoying when
so many people try to help you

F1aReD · Post by **F1aReD** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 10:24 am

I don't think I buy there story of overheating either. I didn't think that wrapping the trunk was the most important thing? It's such a shame! I don't know why someone would buy 30 good size, tall palm trees and plant them with no knowledge or plan of how they are going to protect them in the winter...should have started out with 3 or 4 in the front of the building. <br><br>
hardyjim, do you live close to the hotel? I would be interested in what they do next.

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 1:05 pm

2 hour drive at least,Des Moines is center and south in Iowa.

I am in the far southeast corner.