Wow Jim, you really have me thinking. I've been going back and forth on whether or not to cut my damaged trachy like you did (my first ever "big trachy". I've spent hours cutting hair and pruning back boots to get down low into the crown. I just can't seem to decide if it is rotten. I know the hair thing sounds funny but if you know my tree you will realize it is the hairiest damn trachy ever. 10+" diameter trunk from ground to crown (was about 3 1/2 feet of clear trunk). No kidding, I could stuff a paper grocery bag full with the hair cut off so far. As I get in there further the hair is so dense and thick, it's amazing. It's quite a chore to carefully trim it back, clip back old branches over and over as I get in closer and all the hair that attaches to them. It's in layers and layers. I've got down a good 6" now and have uncovered about an inch and a half of a new baby spear. I marked it to see if it is moving (kept an old dead petiole intact for just that purpose). The only other remaing spear which didn't pull (two larger ones did) is what was the smallest one which could be seen before the cutting back. That spear still won't pull though it is crispy and a faded minty green/grey. It is yellowish and softer below where it had been covered by all the hair and old boots. What to do... I can't determine if it is rotten in there. It was quite damp in there but no moldy smell. It's not "mushy". It's more flexible the more I strip away the outer parts and the trunk thins. Thing is if I cut it like you did, I'd have to cut through that newly discovered little spear and a good few inches lower to be able to have that clear cross-section exposed like you did with yours. When i quit last night I gave it another mild dose of peroxide (50/50 with water). I'm grappling with the idea that if it is rotting I need to act fast. On the other hand what if that new spear is slated to take off? Tough one! I'll try to get some pics posted later for opinions.

Pros and cons-for cutting

I think with what happened to yours waiting makes sense if you think it is going to move.
Your spear probably didn't get damaged by cold but they do lose them from root damage too,so......

If it is root damage....rotting is probably not going to be an issue-
however it could rot once the tissue dies if it does.

I think your doing the right things treating/marking/cleaning up.
Root damage will make the recovery/growth much slower.
I think your doing everything right,maybe try some seaweed/kelp fertilizer to
stimulate root/structure growth? you have probably tried that too,ehh?

One weird thing is one of my palms(the -2 Trachy)had some spear movement and then pulled.

Anyway-as long as you don't think theres any rot in there,no worries,it just make take a while since mostly it's tender
feeder roots got damaged,maybe even a good sign that it is holding back growth in favor of root development.

Maybe by early May it will start moving,mine(Naini Tal) that had spear pull last year was noticeably in gear by early May.
This palm is really moving with the (almost hot at times)weather we have been having lately,so maybe in a few more weeks
with the root issues and all 8)

Jim, thanks for clearing up my brain fart.

mnpalms 50/50 peroxide/water? 😯
Maybe a little strong?

Barb

Jim-

How are those cut trachies looking now? I'm dying to know...

Barb-

I know that 50/50 peroxide sounds strong initially but I used only a 2% peroxide solution and I eyeballed it to be 50/50 that and water. It was more like 60% water in my opinion- I always try to err on the weak side with chemicals. Cheap store-brand bottle that had sat partially filled in the cupboard for a few years (probably weakened over time). I hope I didn't over-do it!

mn palms, okanagan desert palms posted the peroxide strength link.
http://www.using-hydrogen-peroxide.com/gardening-with-hydrogen-peroxide.html

Jim I'm stunned at how your Nainital has grown.
And to think last year you were betting mine was going to be bigger than yours by summer's end.
Mine's just a shrivelled brown heap now.
😥

Sorry to jump in, but how much of the peroxide solution should be applied, and to where? Thanks! --Erik

If I recall John's previous post about peroxide for the wilting Waggie, a soil drench was recommended because of soil fungi.
But if the plant isn't thriving, spray the plant lightly too.
Then drench soil.

As to quantity, I'd use the same amount as if I were watering the plant.
I wouldn't use 50/50 though, even/especially if it's old 2% chemical (mine says 3%).

Barb

Wow, I had no idea a palm could sustain such damage and come back after being cut down to that point.

Jim has demonstrated some amazing feats over the years.

Yup, Jim's our "go to" guy when palms are in trouble. 😀

These are very inspiring pictures for me who live in a zone where palms cant survive most winters without protection. My fortunei were trunk cut after last winter and was pushing out new growth, unfortunately it rotted away after pushing up two new leaves, so make sure you protect your trunk cut palms from rain if you arent already.

Keep posting your results! 😀

Yup, Jim's our "go to" guy when palms are in trouble. 😀

Only because I have more trouble with them than anybody 😀