PalmsNorth.com

Since it's still winter, I figured I'd ask how some of you all protect large palms. Obviously a 20 foot palm would be too large for the box method. I ask because I bought a couple W. robusta on ebay (they were cheap, alright?:P ) and I'm wondering how I'm gonna protect them when they're taller than the house in a few years...lol

You "could" have a 20ft box You wouldn't catch me up there though I'd be hiring someone to build the box on my behalf... Perhaps just rent a skyjack... My Wife's store has one perhaps I could borrow it for an evening

When they reach 10-15 meters you will have to say bye bye and leave them be, nature will sort them out..

I try for the second winter the mummy wrap method, no more box. I made some modification this winter and for now its look not to bad. I have at least 22 nights Under -2 F ...and the temp. Inside wrapping never went down Under 20 F. So, in your area, Kansas, your winter is less worst than here, so i think its gonna work. See my videos on Youtube at my channel expressiontropicale and you ll see more update this spring.
Ben

Boxes are impossible at those heights, so Benny's right.
Downright dangerous, plus summer storage is a brute.

I think the mummy wrap system is best, although it needs tweaking to keep fronds from touching cold outer layer of plastic.
Or inserting styrofoam spacers (taped on) between layers of plastic/insulated arbotex.

This is the last winter for my big Trachy hut.
When installing it in Fall, the carpenter buddy said "don't call me next year, it won't fit."

Barb

Thanks for the replies!! Hopefully, with this whole global warming ordeal (or are they calling it "climate change" now?), hopefully, we won't need protection by the time these guys are huge;) Just kidding. Anyway, I like your wrapping technique! However, while they're small, I plan to use the box method on all my palms...Have I mentioned I hate hate hate winter? Edit: Just looked at my thermometer and it's 33 Fahrenheit outside right now...if only it could be like this all the time, then no more protecting! Oh to live in zone 9+
-Jacob

Oh to live in zone 9+

Then we'd be trying to grow Cocos nucifera outdoors...

I plan on boxing for the foreseeable future. I have three that are 8-10 feet tall when the fronds are pulled up. Wishing I would have ordered smaller ones last year.... but I'll just keep getting taller and taller 2x4's and go as long as I can. I will be watching beny's videos though for the mummy wrapping technique. With that said, in the meantime I am making my boxes more porous to make them more hardy as time goes on.

I found this pic of protected palms when that recent freeze hit the southern states but can't remember where. Full marks for a fashion statement.

I remember seeing that pic, Andy. It's from Tyler, Texas. Quite fashionable, for sure! Probably unnecessary, too! I think they're an 8b.

andym wrote:I found this pic of protected palms when that recent freeze hit the southern states but can't remember where. Full marks for a fashion statement.

Hey, that might work for my Trachy/Sabals/Washies!

That wrap might be the "Arbotex" that Beny uses.
Great photo.

Barb

I'm looking for the best way to wrap my Washies when/if they get big, so that might just be the trick!

Will be able to open the wrapping palms maybe next week, forecast will finally be over 40-50 F ...snow will start to melt. We are 2 weeks later than the average ...

I will post video soon showing the result of the wrapping technique. For now, the Butia looks like having a lot of dammage and the Trachy with the old wrapping technique i tried last year too. But the Trachy at the front of my house ( i tried to many method on it, so year after year it lost a few leaves ) looks not to bad. After adding some pinkpanther fiberglass insulation 2-3 inches, the leaves stop burning.
The problem was the leaves touching the cold tarp. And at -30c, the leaves does nt like that ....its important to make an hole on the side at the top of the trunck and one at the top of the leaves to allow some air circulation, that will help to prevent moisture.

There s some pics of what kind of material i used for the wrapping.

There s a link on Youtube who someone post, never seen that video before but it is in Kansas. The guy protect large Sabal Palmetto with wrapping, check it out

http://youtu.be/qUVi3Mcvgxs

Ben

That is so cool, Beny.
Wonder how far he is from KNNN's place.
Will send the link to Steve.

Thanks for this great link.

Barb

Merci Ben, this is why I swear by the S. Palmetto. Little difference in hardiness to the Trachy, but an overall better look (subject to opinion).

Ca fait plaisir ....and im agree, i like the Sabal too...but in Kansas, they have better climate than here. But with adding 2-3 inches insulation, we should have the same result. Will probably unwrap some palms monday, will be +8c ...finally....bye bye snow...but will take at least 1.5-2 weeks to melt everything ...

Ben :

Beny wrote:There s a link on Youtube who someone post, never seen that video before but it is in Kansas. The guy protect large Sabal Palmetto with wrapping, check it out

http://youtu.be/qUVi3Mcvgxs

Ben

Wow! Pretty cool! Lee's Summit is a good zone and a half colder than me, so this makes me feel more optimistic! Thanks for sharing! I was only able to buy S. Mexicana (Texas palmetto), but I was told it's almost as hardy, if not as hardy.