Foxtail Palm Tree, King Palm Tree

[gardengirl]

I read that these type of palm trees along with other such as royal palms and bottle palms that the trunk is self cleaning. What does that mean. do they just fall off? Would i want to help to cut them off if the leaf or leaves are dead or dying?

Clarification on this please?

Thanks

[Chloe Mcluvin]

Thats pretty neat if i must say. Guess we wouldn't need any pruning tips... Well I would have to own a foxtail or King palm not to worry. lol

Well now i know for later on what to get for easy maintenance

[charlieatwork]

I don't know if a self pruning palm tree is good, but it sounds good. Not having to climb a tall ladder and have a possibility of falling off and breaking some bone.

[coralsandbar]

How do you tell if a foxtail Palm tree is dead?

I live in South Georgia (40 miles South of Atlanta, and 40 miles North of Macon).

I wrapped the trunk of my 2 trees in burlap and piled bark around the base of the trunks before the first freeze came in winter.

The trunks of both foxtail palms appear almost black and appear like they got too close to a fire. (Like a scorched look).

We have just recently the past week or so started experiencing 80 degree days after 2-3 weeks or more of 70's.

Has anyone else had this happen to their foxtails?

They became very established the first year they were planted and were over 6-7 ft tall with 5-6 fronds each.

Is there a way to see if the inner truck/core of the tree is dead without further damaging the tree?

Thanks for your help.

If need be, I'll snap a pic when I get home.

thank you,

Rob

[LPN]

Could you pot a photo or two.

Any type of blacking is no good.

How cold did it get. I have heard and read people doing the same thing and the palms survived with no problem.

[coralsandbar]

Work has been very busy.

I'll try and snap a pic when I get home from work. We had a couple of random days (not back-to-back) of 32 and 1 or 2 that hit 30-31. We also had a Saturday of 75 followed up by 3" of snow on Sunday several months back. It then got warmer and started melting on Monday.

Overall not that bad of a winter in Georgia. (I'm originally from the Midwest).

Will get that palm pic taken first thing when I get home and will post ASAP.

Our grass finally is turning green (Bermuda).

thanks

Rob

[jerseyboy]

I hope the best. Wish I knew more about palms so that I could help.

[coralsandbar]

I didn't get to take a picture on Wednesday b/c we had tornado watches and torrential downpours of rain.

Yesterday I had to flip over my floating island that got too top heavy from my purple iris that finally bloomed.


Will get a picture when I get home for sure. It does appear that the black on the trunk has lightened up some.

will send the pic first thing when I get home. It's my top priority.

will keep all posted later this afternoon/evening.

thank you,

Rob

[coralsandbar]

Here's the picture of the palm tree.

I actually think it looks lighter in color (more normal) to how black it looked not long ago.



Let me know what each of you think.

thank you.

Rob

[coralsandbar]

Hi LPN or anybody,

Any thoughts to my picture?

thx.

Rob

[PATH007FINDER]

Good news is it looks like you have a place for a new palm!

You should try a bismarkia in that spot. It sounds like any palm you plant is going to have a tough time in your grow zone in winter. But at least a bismarkia would have a chance. They can take down to 20 degrees maybe less when established.

[coralsandbar]

Not sure on the good news. The old man working the place (owned by his daughter) told me that he had one in his yard and covered it up with pine straw and it should survive.

Heck of a salesman.

I just hope my bhutia (I think that's what it is) comes back as well.

I hate spending that much money on a good palm and then wrapping and preparing it way before the first freeze hit just to throw that money out the windown.

I'll check out your suggestion.

thank you,

Rob

[PATH007FINDER]

Ron,
When ever the heart '"core" of a palm has been damaged the way your palm has there's not much you can do except start over. Pine needles arn't going to do anything. One way you can tell is by the color of the spear or lack there of. Judging by the look of your palm it's a goner for sure. Sounds like your going to be better off growing it pots and bringing your palms indoors in the winter months.

[coralsandbar]

Thanks for the advice Pathfinder.

I may look at some really cold hardy palm trees. Heck if New Zealand can have them with cold weather and surive the winter I definitely should be able to get the right palms.

thanks for the help and suggestions. Much appreciated.

Rob

[lifo]

Coral,

Down here in Tampa many of the Foxtails died this winter. I wrapped all of mine and about half of them died. Georgia is too cold in the winter for these.

[jimmyg]

I am not sure if the palm is even growing? Was the new shoot cut off? is there any new shoot pushing through the center?

[jimmyg]

Thought they were able to grow in Florida? Oh and the posting before was to the picture that coralsandbar posted about his foxtail palm. Sorry a little out of it.

[hhlegere]

Hello,
I just saw your photo of your palm tree. I have three foxtail palms that look like the photo you posted. I thought they would survive this past winter since they were established but they have not recovered. There are no fronds and they don't seem to be regenerating. Any advice? I would really appreciate anything you could offer. I hate to think I may have lost my palms. Thank you.