Hello everyone I am very concerned and quite sure I have lost one of my Trachycarpus palms due to the cold winter and Spring. I have two Trachycarpus palms in Langley City (zone 7b-8a). 49.05N x 122-39'W. Thay are 5-6 years old. I've seen many Trachycarpus palms grow here locally due to the normally mild winters, (this winter has been the exception). This year has been brutally harsh for the Lower Mainland, with early December temperatures venturing close to minus -10c to -15c. It is supposed to be -5c again tonight. This is quite cold for this day in March, and it has really stuck around without too much variation, even during the nights. At any rate, I have the two palms in large ceramic containers, @16" inches in diameter and 24" deep. Befor this winter (this past Oct-Nov) they looked fine as I try take care of them. Both of them, (last years fronds and older) have curled up, but the lower fronds have browned extensively. The center spike on this one is still green, but yellowed. I have the trunk wrapped on this one during the day, protecting the ground in the pot and pot itself. I cover it at night. The second one is my real concern, and this is the one I believe I may have lost. Its three central spikes have turned light brown and definitely frost damaged. I have one of the spikes marked to see if it grows. The surrounding fronds, last years and two years prior are still green but all curled up. The older fronds are completely gone. I also cover this one up over night to keep the frost off. I was writing this to see if others in my area have had the same problem with their Trachy's or other palms, and what if anything I should do at this point. I was going to plant them in the ground this year. If I'm lucky I may have the one left. Any ideas, or information from others having the same problem or suggestions would be welcome. Thanks all. Tony
Hi Tony, although I'm not in your immediate area, I am familiar with these palms. Dispite your apparent attempt to protect the palms, cold could have adversely effected them depending on how well the root system faired. Potted plants are subject to cold / freezing at the roots rather than planted in-ground. You may have lost the center spears but a fungicide applied at the growth point may save it. It all depends on the extent of the damage at this point. New growth has to out pace any winter damage or decaying plant material. I have about 20 of these planted and I'm happy to report none have shown any cold damage. So clean them up and apply a fungicide. It may take several months to see any real improvments. Cheers, LPN.
