Palm Protection Burlington, On Canada Z6a

905palms · Post by **905palms** » Mon Dec 30, 2013 3:09 pm

After trying the 'mummy wrap' method in previous years, I've suffered some losses on smaller Trachy's and Pindo's. Even after trunk cutting and using HP/ Copper to revive. I've reverted back to the 'box' method for this year... so far so good.

Below is the yard now, just a week after our 'ice storm' and heavy winds... The 2 boxes have a T3 Thermo cube with 25 C7 xmas lights in each. The 12ft Palmetto also has an extra 2 fluorescent bulbs and a trunk wrapped heat cable which probably doesn't do much. The enclosure a rather large for proper air circulation.

I'm using a 100ft heat cable under the root balls of all the palms (Sabal Palmetto, Minor, Sago, 8ft Pindo) only for extreme cold snaps in which I plug in manually.

The 8' Pindo is frost wrapped then foam insulated with the C7 lights on a T3.

Every thing is braced with 2X4 collar ties to the fence... so far so good!
(Still looking for easier ways....)

Cheers!

RJ Tropic · Post by **RJ Tropic** » Mon Dec 30, 2013 5:19 pm

Wow, nice Sable, did you get that at rice rd nurseries?

905palms · Post by **905palms** » Tue Dec 31, 2013 1:02 pm

Thanks RJ, yes they have excellent quality products. I'll be experimenting with different trees this spring from direct southern dealers.
Check out my Youtube channel for what I have so far...

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZh5Y2 ... rXIb4pKJ8g

Dan

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Tue Dec 31, 2013 2:32 pm

Nice job on the protection...

You can use the hotlink to post those pics directly.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Dec 31, 2013 4:02 pm

Hi 905! Welcome aboard PN.

Great looking palm!

Yup, boxes seem best, but they're a whack of work.
Beny is busy finalizing upgrades to his mummy wrapping, this time with some insulation so fronds don't touch icy plastic.
For taller palms, I think the mummy wrap may be the only way as palms reach 10 and 15 feet.

While PVC pipe isn't necessarily easier, here's pics of Stosh's protection in Pennsylvania:
http://members7.boardhost.com/PennHardy ... 67406.html

Barb

905palms · Post by **905palms** » Wed Jan 01, 2014 11:25 am

Hey Barb, Thanks! Yeah I've seen his vid's in the past with the PVC piping, but I wouldn't know how to fasten insulation in my case. I may try using it for my large Cabbage palm, tipi-style with tones of bubble wrap next year instead. I was pretty terrified up the ladder above my current enclosure. My neighbors are convinced I'm nuts.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Jan 01, 2014 11:43 am

I also like teepees, seem to do better in the wind, requiring less guy-wiring than a wooden box of same height.
But the worst thing about boxes is summer storage.
Keep ours under some trees near the fence, squirrels move in pee/poo on the panels, even eating the styrofoam (or whatever they're doing to it).
Yuck.

...and ladders only come in so-many feet in height

We've got a 10-foot 3-point (orchard) ladder.
Standing near the top scares the hell out of me.

Barb

905palms · Post by **905palms** » Thu Jan 02, 2014 3:42 pm

For sure, storage is definitely an issue, however my garage rafters may just be my best option, right beside the Hula skirts, Beach cooler and winter tires..

Perhaps if my Sabal Palmetto grows another 4 ft, I may just have to rent a helicopter to install a Teepee....

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Thu Jan 02, 2014 6:50 pm

That's the spirit!

chadec · Post by **chadec** » Sat Jan 04, 2014 9:06 pm

Very nice palms 905, I really like your protection method. I dont use foam board but did build a frame for my sabals. I use pvc too, and that works great for me on smaller palms.

905palms · Post by **905palms** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 7:23 am

Thanks Chad, I may just go Tipi style next year because it seems easier (providing they live). The foam was bloody pricy (wife still gives me dirty looks...), but they are toasty.
PVC sounds light, solid and inexpensive, I will try that with the smaller ones like you said. Then I'll bubble wrap the hell out of it. I like the airport hanger style Jim uses on his succulents, that may be an option as well.
Do you have pics of your Sabals?