I would say that is decent protection, but you might also want to heavily mulch the soil around the palms. Since they were planted in August, there hasn't been as much time for the roots to acclimatize, so they might go into more shock during the winter. Mulch will help reduce the moisture and cold severity for them.

Welcome!
There is great advice here from folks who know a lot more than I.
I think your plan will be fine for a normal winter.
I suggest at least considering a line of pipe heat tape. Wrap it around the trunk, not overlapping, and up to the spear base, with the tip (where the thermostat is) just above the spear. Use an extension cord to connect to an outdoor outlet. It does not cost much to buy at any hardware store, and uses very little electricity. It gives you a margin if you get unusually cold weather, and peace of mind. I did this for Trachy and it kept them alive after a record cold (-22 oF) spell.

Hi Tarkus, welcome aboard.
Will look forward to seeing your pics.
Wondering how big they are.

7A is a great zone for Trachies but if you have a brutal winter, keeping rain from turning to ice in the spear area is critical.

The only downside I can see with your plans is a wire basket filled with straw won't allow you to add heat later if severe cold threatens.

I like the advice so far: heavy mulch around its base and heat tape.
the heat tape's thermostat won't even "kick in" until it gets cold.
Perfect for your zone.

I'm personally not keen on straw (if you were to use Christmas lights, for example, because of fire risk).
Heat tape = no fire risk.

Barb

When I have used hay, I have pulled it away on warm, sunny, breezy dry days to let the trunk dry. I then replaced the hay with entirely new fresh dry hay. I think that reduces the risk of fungal infection. Oh yes, I also sprayed fungicide on trunk and spear before replacing with the new hay.

I have used hay together with C9 Christmas lights and not had problems with fire. Beginner's luck, I guess.

Thanks to all for the advice. I think I'll give the Christmas light/heat tape options more consideration now. Unfortunately i don't have an outlet anywhere near this side of my house (although code says I should but that's another story). I have checked into it a bit and can probably get a new GFI installed near these Trachy's for about $125. THat's not too bad considering I can always use it for other instances.
This is great as one of my concerns was possible fungus issues with the straw being on there for so long.

Thanks again.

Oh yeah, they stand about 4-5' to the very top but when I do get to posting any pics you'll notice they did take a little beating from when Hurricane Irene came up the coast late summer.

We do like photos here!
I too needed an electrician, but couldn't afford one. I ran extension cords instead. Those pipe heating tapes draw very little power so I didn't worry about the load.

yeah I'm not so savvy with the pc. I noticed I had a pic here at my office and not sure how to insert it, and of course my lunch break is just about over. I will try again though as I too enjoy the other pics everyone has posted.

Hey- I am in Maryland 7A as well. I have had Trachies for going on 10 years now.

Mine are always heavily mulched. I then built leaf cages around them using plastic mesh. I did not tie the fonds,but rather wended the leaves around them so they would be supported and covered. Also used a bit of burlap here and there. This worked fine except that moisture would get in and give the fonds a few rotted spots. Nothing serious and they recovered fairly fast.

I amended this set up last year after having read others' methods on this site. I used long stakes aournd the cages and hoisted tarps over the trees. This worked great to keep them dry and they lookedl liked they had not missed a beat. Lot of prep though.

I have said this before, but all things being equal, a portable greenhouse and lightbulb are best. That protected my Butia. But trees being what the are, they outgrow these devices. If yours are still small enough, try that.

This year, I am going with mulch and burlap. No leaf cages. I do not have the time this year and the Trachys are now taller than the tallest stake I can find. Besides, I left them unprotected one winter and they did fine. The Butia will get Xmas lights.

Trachies are not hard to protect around here. I leave my Needles and Sables unprotected and none have died. Just a few singes.

Pictures, Jack, please! 😀

Any issue that anyone knows of if I just wrap my entire PVC "cage" with bubble wrap(aside from the heat tape and christmas lights of course)

Cage has been changed a bit since this pic was taken, Domed, vs slanted roof now and more reinforcement. We've had such a mild fall so far haven't had to do final protection yet (christmas lights and bubble wrap) This palm faces the south and protected by garage wall and roof eve.

I can wrap the bubble wrap as much around it as I need to. Just trying to allow the natural light to come in vs enclosing it up totally and not allowing natural light to enter.

Pictures of my trachys right after planting in August.

http://postimage.org/image/km0d8p5k3/

Where did you get those from? They look really leggy.

I never really thought about that but now that you mention it, I agree.
Anyway, I couldn't find any in my area and went through TyTy online. I believe they're from Georgia. I went through them b/c I do know someone that ordered direct through them for a Pindo and had no issues at all so they were personally recommended. Of course afterwards, I have seen bad reviews.