Trachycarpus Fortunei planting advice

dlnoga · Post by **dlnoga** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:50 pm

In reading through posts on this (and other) sites, there are many ideas on how to help a palm survive a colder zone. I'm in zone 4. I want to give the tree the best shot at survival. I have some questions I hope some can help me with.

Show I plant the palm tree in a raised bed? Raised by how much? Why does that help?

Should I put material like styrofoam around the root ball to hellp keep the ground from freezing? Does that really help that much?

How bad is direct sun for most of the day all year on such a palm tree? How would I mitigate that? (I don't have other places I can plant the tree.)

Thanks.

DN

Arctic Palm · Post by **Arctic Palm** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 9:28 pm

dlnoga,

I am pretty new to this as well. The advice I got from the members here was very helpful. I was advised to plant in a raised bed to help with soil drainage. Palms really don't like sitting in any water however some like lots of water. I have a T. Fortunei I just planted in my from yard. Southern exposure and sun light all day. A bit of shade may have been better but not available. A lot of the Moderators have very good advice.

Alchris · Post by **Alchris** » Wed Apr 25, 2007 9:32 pm

Styrofoam around the perimeter of the palm will be a part of a good winter protection system in Zone 4. A small window in the above ground protection system with a light diffuser finish should provide less sun in the winter.

Most winter sun in the northern latitudes is at such a low angle that it does not do as much harm as sunlight in lower latitudes.

I also would appreciate advice on what impact a raised bed would have.

Allen

nucci60 · Post by **nucci60** » Sat May 12, 2007 9:03 am

zone for is really pushing the zone for trachycarpus. This is what we do I guess. good luck and protect the hell out of it this winter

Cali-wanna-b · Post by **Cali-wanna-b** » Wed May 16, 2007 4:16 pm

I also would appreciate advice on what impact a raised bed would have.

A raised bed is not only good for drainage, it also provides the the root system with more warmth since the raised bed will heat quicker than the surrounding soil. Use a dark color stone or wood as your raised bed retaining material and you have soil that will warm up very quick.

macario · Post by **macario** » Wed May 16, 2007 5:53 pm

You can also keep a halogen light on all winter facing the base of the trunk, heat radiates up. not to close to to burn the palm

nucci60 · Post by **nucci60** » Wed May 16, 2007 7:50 pm

alright, I'm confused. Doesn't a raised bed expose the roots to more cold than planting it at level ground?

Tony O · Post by **Tony O** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 11:13 am

alright, I'm confused. Doesn't a raised bed expose the roots to more cold than planting it at level ground?

I was just woundering the same thing. It'll warm up faster, but cool of faster too. I'd think freezing the roots being exposed to the winter cold like that. It would be like leaving it in a pot.

Cali-wanna-b · Post by **Cali-wanna-b** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 11:41 am

[/quote]alright, I'm confused. Doesn't a raised bed expose the roots to more cold than planting it at level ground?[quote]

I am sorry, I should of added a heavy winter mulch will be needed. If the bed is well drained and mulched with 4-6" of coarse, shredded mulch the bed will not freeze. It doesn't take much to stop frost from entering the ground. 1' of snow will do the same thing.

Alchris · Post by **Alchris** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:54 pm

My palms will be near the exterior of the house with a southern exposure. This area has traditionally had the snow cover melt off after a week or less and could be facing -30 C without snow cover. The styrofoam will protect the soil from freezing during the -30 C periods. I am planning an above ground styrofoam enclosure with a window and heat to protect leaves and trunk from the cold..

You need to tailor your protection to the area where the palm is to be planted.

I will be setting up adequate drainage into my house's weeping tile and will be planting the palms at ground level.

Allen

turtile · Post by **turtile** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 8:25 pm

Planting the palms on a slope against the house makes most sense to me.

Here is a picture I quickly drew up:

The house gives off warmth. Planting on a slope gives the roots the warmth of the house. The mulch insulates the ground and cold air sinks down the slope.

Alchris · Post by **Alchris** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 9:31 pm

The slope that you have drawn is a good idea for drainage as well as allowing the cold to move elsewhere. If the palm was elevated 6 " above the sloping ground level, it's roots would be more exposed to the cold.

Allen