DrZnaturally 22 Report post Posted December 31, 2021 DECEMBER 2021 UPDATE wrapping the sabal palmetto we call BABSHI, one of Connecticut's notable tress, which has been living outside unheated since 2009 in a warm microclimate in Bridgeport CT. We believe it is one of the few if not only Sabal palmetto palms who has survived this far north growing outside and never brought in for this long. Bridgeport is official zone 7a but with the many microclimate protective factors, IM SURE ITS A ZONE 8 MICROCLIMATE Microclimate factors are the following 1. dark brick building absorbing winter heat and blocking cold northern winter winds 2.location near Long island sound ON 3 SIDES 3.planted chose to building in a frost free zone 1.5 feet from building 4.potential heat escape from building? 5.Mummy wrapping and antifungal spray on crown 6.mounding of soil and much as high up as we can over the sensitive areas of the palm spear im sure these have kept the palm alive and getting big! 4 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aceraceae 72 Report post Posted December 31, 2021 Was it left uncovered for a few winters around 2016 and 17 etc and that's what led to the damage/dieback in 2018? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrZnaturally 22 Report post Posted December 31, 2021 Yes exactly, we were only protecting it lightly for years BEFORE 2018 with all of the warmer winters we had but in 2018, winter was so bad and wet and long (into march) that we thought the palm was actually dead, the spear pulled. But it somehow rallied and we vowed to protect it since then with maximum protection as it is an iconic palm living so far up North. In 2018 it was inducted into the CT Notable tree database 2 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.SamuraiSword 1,301 Report post Posted January 1 11 hours ago, DrZnaturally said: Yes exactly, we were only protecting it lightly for years BEFORE 2018 with all of the warmer winters we had but in 2018, winter was so bad and wet and long (into march) that we thought the palm was actually dead, the spear pulled. But it somehow rallied and we vowed to protect it since then with maximum protection as it is an iconic palm living so far up North. In 2018 it was inducted into the CT Notable tree database Do you protect any of the other palms planted nearby? I remember seeing another smaller sabal palmetto, and young minor, trachycarpus and a needle sometime back. Also I remember an odd trunking yucca, do you know what species? Can't wait to see it again next spring/summer! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ahosey01 1,033 Report post Posted January 1 23 hours ago, DrZnaturally said: DECEMBER 2021 UPDATE wrapping the sabal palmetto we call BABSHI, one of Connecticut's notable tress, which has been living outside unheated since 2009 in a warm microclimate in Bridgeport CT. We believe it is one of the few if not only Sabal palmetto palms who has survived this far north growing outside and never brought in for this long. Bridgeport is official zone 7a but with the many microclimate protective factors, IM SURE ITS A ZONE 8 MICROCLIMATE Microclimate factors are the following 1. dark brick building absorbing winter heat and blocking cold northern winter winds 2.location near Long island sound ON 3 SIDES 3.planted chose to building in a frost free zone 1.5 feet from building 4.potential heat escape from building? 5.Mummy wrapping and antifungal spray on crown 6.mounding of soil and much as high up as we can over the sensitive areas of the palm spear im sure these have kept the palm alive and getting big! God forbid you ever lose it, replant with Sabal birmingham instead of palmetto. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrZnaturally 22 Report post Posted January 1 13 hours ago, Mr.SamuraiSword said: Do you protect any of the other palms planted nearby? I remember seeing another smaller sabal palmetto, and young minor, trachycarpus and a needle sometime back. Also I remember an odd trunking yucca, do you know what species? Can't wait to see it again next spring/summer! Unfortunately all of those specimens had to be dug up as he university has to tar and seal the foundation of the building, which has cracks in it because of superstorm sandy getting salt water into the foundation Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.SamuraiSword 1,301 Report post Posted January 3 On 1/1/2022 at 4:21 PM, DrZnaturally said: Unfortunately all of those specimens had to be dug up as he university has to tar and seal the foundation of the building, which has cracks in it because of superstorm sandy getting salt water into the foundation Oh damn. Were they able to be repotted/replanted? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrZnaturally 22 Report post Posted January 3 many were adopted by my botanical medicine students for their own gardens One of the sabals died in transplantation (sabal minor) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
