macario, what a shame the larger one died...
glad the other is still around, though.
Will you make any changes to your winter protection?
Barb

I am doing everything the same except the palmetto and my biggest T. wagnerianus that is about 4 1/2 feet tall at the tips of the leaves and about 10 inches of trunk will be getting heat cables in the ground. I removed about 3 inches of dirt around the trunk and put the heat cables down. Then I piled on about 6 inches of mulch around the trunk to bury the cables. Heres a pic of the heat cable in the ground. I will be doing the same to the sabal palmetto on the weekend.

<img src=" " alt="p1051300">

macario, thanks for the pic. Gorgeous palm. Great technique.
Do you cover the fronds/spear with burlap/plastic? or a temporary roof?
I'm trying to remember where you are (Chicago?)...lots of snow/sleet/hail in winter? or just cold?
Barb

Barb I am just gonna put a small clear plastic cover over the whole palm and the mulch to keep it nice and dry. In recent years the winters have been sunny and dry. If we get any percipitation is in the form of snow. Nothing to bad. Yes your right I am in Chicago.

Not being negative, but I really doubt the Palmetto will survive like that...

And if and when it does what do I get ?? 😉
Lazz I have a butia in the ground 2 years now. I was told it wouldnt live either but its doubled in size every year. I dont think a butia is hardier than a sabal. Last year when I bought the sabals in the middle of winter I left both of the sabal palmettos on there sides on the ground in the cold and its very alive even though everyone told me they couldnt survive temps in the teens for weeks at a time and couldnt survive on its side on the frozen ground for 4 months straight of cold weather. If it lives do I get some type of northern pioneer award or something lol.

macario ... you've gotta photo document and publish your findings with a palm society journal, local chapter or otherwise. I've had half of your success with hardier palms! The palm gardeners in cold climates will eat that article up!

Cheers, Barrie.

Barrie your right. I never thought of doing anything like publishing my progress in a book. I have been having fun just planting the plants that I like and sharing advice and sucess and failier stories with friends on this board and a few others. I will start taking more photos. Today Ill take more pics of my palmetto today while I get ready to cover it up and bury the cables.

Mike I wish you the best with it. I have seen many here in the northern part of SC fail in much less severe conditions.

I didnt mean to hijack your post. 😳

Laz I understand you have to see it to believe it. So when you do see it next summer when I have 3 full leaves on my palmetto will you believe it?

macario ... there are a number of journals published by different palm societies around North America. Hardy Palm Internaitional is a quarterly journal produced by the Pacific Northwest Palm and Exotic Plant Society, but there are many others that would be interested in your amazing Sabal survival story. A quick Google search for "palm society" should produce some results.

Cheers, Barrie.