T-post tent concept

[TerdalFarm]

It is warm today, but cold weather is coming so I am using the weekend to protect palms.

The palm hut is coming along but needs a roof.

In past years, small palms were mulched and covered with "muck buckets" (18 gallon) for cold. However, they have grown so much that most are now too big
I could buy 30 gallon trash cans, but that is expensive and they would blow away.
So, I am brainstorming alternatives, using junk I have in the storage barn.
The concept I want to run by y'all is to pound in a t-post to the north of a palm, at an angle. Then place a t-post topper on the top, and use two stakes to hold nylon fencing tape to the ground. In essence, a tetrahedron. I then cover with plastic sheeting, open to the south but with a flap to cover for the worst weather. I will set a bucket of water in the tent to the SW of the trunk to gather morning sun and release it at night. I will also mulch.

My hope is that this "t-post tent" will:
--protect from north winds
--keep rain/snow out of the spear cavity
--let winter sun in
--retain heat in the 5-gallon water bucket placed by the trunk
--keep wind from blowing mulch away
--allow for air circulation

Palms I an considering this for:
needle palms
trachy
Sabal mexicana (which will also have heat tape under burlap on the trunk)

What do y'all think?
This photo shows a demonstration on the new Waggy. If this concept makes sense, I'll make a dozen more for other palms which are temperature-hardy here but which cannot handle my winds and rain.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-R ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_r-MvN4jW1sE/TOgmq ... AG0344.jpg" height="800" width="478" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/terdalfarm/ ... ">November 2010</a></td></tr></table>

[coltrane]

I think you need to bite the bullet and get some plywood. Build some boxes you can use year after year. Tie them
down right and you wont have to worry about them blowing away, or having the plastic sheeting get shredded. Its
probably cheaper in the long run. Also if you happen to get a foot of snow, your not left with a crushed tent/palm.

[lucky1]

Erik, I'm reminded of your comment last winter that the ground wasn't frozen under a foot or two of snow.
I think your T-post system relies on the ground to freeze, and keep the post in its correct/angled position so winds/snowstorms don't collapse the thing.
An 80 mph wind, with snow blowing sideways would make quick work of it, I think.
Especially if the owner(s) aren't always at home.

nylon fencing tape

? what is that?

Also, I think the water idea is good but I've always seen it recommended in a closed container, only 3/4 or 7/8 full of water.
I think that in an open bucket, the heat accumulation would be minimal, and any heat gain would tend to "shed" during the day.
In a closed container, heat is slowly released from the sides of container as temps drop.

I think you'd be more satisfied planning for the worst -- rather than normal -- winter events.

I'm sure others here will have suggestions for you.
Barb

[hardyjim]

Open bucket will release to much moisture into the enclosure as well