2021 Freeze Damage - Texas and the Southern US

[smatofu 16]

An 3/23 update, DFW area (maybe someone will get some use out of it in the future):

 

• 20-ft windmill -  new green spear visible 
• one 6-ft windmill - it is growing, no green visible, but there is a movement up 
• 15-ft cabbage palm - still dormant; no spear pull; the place where the spear was cut is still moist (?an indication of water conduction? does it mean anything?). Fronds around the spear are dry. No mold, fungus, foul smell, or rot after the most recent copper + some neem oil treatment. The spear smells kid of like freshly cut lettuce. I mention smell because not much is visible.  
• one 6-ft windmill - no spear pull; no spear growth  

 

 

Edited March 23 by smatofu

[JJPalmer 423]

7 hours ago, Collectorpalms said:

Those did not appear to be Washingtonia Robusta, they look pretty thick. They normally would have probably made it. I doubt they replace them.

I think they were Filifera, not Robusta.

[NBTX11 402]

15 hours ago, Collectorpalms said:

Those did not appear to be Washingtonia Robusta, they look pretty thick. They normally would have probably made it. I doubt they replace them.

Correct, these palms are way to thick for Robusta.  Pure Robusta are very slender.  These look like thick hybrids. 

[NBTX11 402]

All local Filifera in area are recovering.  Most have put out 4-6 green fronds and have noticeably green centers.

Robustas still looking like trash.  Little to no movement yet on those.  Many have already been removed by those impatient to see if they recover.  A shopping center in Schertz removed about 30 or 40 large Robusta today.  I guess they had seen enough and weren't waiting on recovery. 

[tstex 29]

Going to post this here bc no traction in main discussion board:

Seeking to determine how long it takes to determine if my Sylvester Date Palm will live or not?

We live in West Hou and the low for us was 10 degrees.   Last weekend, I had all of its dead branches/fronds removed.  This palm is now about 12-13 ft tall, at the tip of remnants of the last cut branches.  No green vegetation is emerging yet. Its trunk was 4-5 ft tall planted in April 2015.

None of the branches, from the very top to last row on bottom ever folded over.   Since fall and winter b4 the freeze, it was never too bad.  We had a new row of small fronds coming out that were about 3ft tall at the time of the freeze.

After the palm  was cut, I sprayed a quality fungicide around the crown.  I have kept the ground around the lower trunk moist so it would not dehydrate.

Are there any recommendations or other that I can do? Typically, if the palm was going to generate new fronds/branches, how long would that take?  I would assume this is a stressed situation.

This was our prize center piece palm in the back and very sad to see it so desolate.  I really feel for other palm owners across TX that lost 10+ palms and were very tall.  I wish you all the best.

Thank you very much,

tstex

 

[Xerarch 634]

2 hours ago, tstex said:

Going to post this here bc no traction in main discussion board:

Seeking to determine how long it takes to determine if my Sylvester Date Palm will live or not?

We live in West Hou and the low for us was 10 degrees.   Last weekend, I had all of its dead branches/fronds removed.  This palm is now about 12-13 ft tall, at the tip of remnants of the last cut branches.  No green vegetation is emerging yet. Its trunk was 4-5 ft tall planted in April 2015.

None of the branches, from the very top to last row on bottom ever folded over.   Since fall and winter b4 the freeze, it was never too bad.  We had a new row of small fronds coming out that were about 3ft tall at the time of the freeze.

After the palm  was cut, I sprayed a quality fungicide around the crown.  I have kept the ground around the lower trunk moist so it would not dehydrate.

Are there any recommendations or other that I can do? Typically, if the palm was going to generate new fronds/branches, how long would that take?  I would assume this is a stressed situation.

This was our prize center piece palm in the back and very sad to see it so desolate.  I really feel for other palm owners across TX that lost 10+ palms and were very tall.  I wish you all the best.

Thank you very much,

tstex

 

Saw your original post but was hoping someone with more particular experience with sylvestris might answer.  I know both dactylifera and canariensis have bounced back from such temperatures in the past, canariensis especially seems to recover from unbelievably low temps even though it is more leaf tender than dacty.  It sounds like you're doing the right things with the fungicide treatments etc.  If it were me I would not give up hope on it until the end of summer.  I know some things have already started to rebound and some have not, but sometimes they take a while.  At least wait until it gets good and hot consistently in the summer, continue to make sure it has adequate water and also that fungicide down in the crown.

[smatofu 16]

[ I have kept the ground around the lower trunk moist so it would not dehydrate.]

I don't water my palms when they are stressed. Rain every few days is more than enough.  Wet soil = wet meristem/spear = better environment for bacteria/rot/mold.

 

[Collectorpalms 858]

On 3/24/2021 at 8:53 AM, tstex said:

Going to post this here bc no traction in main discussion board:

Seeking to determine how long it takes to determine if my Sylvester Date Palm will live or not?

We live in West Hou and the low for us was 10 degrees.   Last weekend, I had all of its dead branches/fronds removed.  This palm is now about 12-13 ft tall, at the tip of remnants of the last cut branches.  No green vegetation is emerging yet. Its trunk was 4-5 ft tall planted in April 2015.

None of the branches, from the very top to last row on bottom ever folded over.   Since fall and winter b4 the freeze, it was never too bad.  We had a new row of small fronds coming out that were about 3ft tall at the time of the freeze.

After the palm  was cut, I sprayed a quality fungicide around the crown.  I have kept the ground around the lower trunk moist so it would not dehydrate.

Are there any recommendations or other that I can do? Typically, if the palm was going to generate new fronds/branches, how long would that take?  I would assume this is a stressed situation.

This was our prize center piece palm in the back and very sad to see it so desolate.  I really feel for other palm owners across TX that lost 10+ palms and were very tall.  I wish you all the best.

Thank you very much,

tstex

 

If your impatient like me you can start trunk cutting it a few inches. I have dozens of palms. I waited a month for them to do their own thing. I have been quick to find out what is already dead, and what is still solid and needs more time. This keeps the waiting time down so I can move on. MY phoenix sylvestris is about 35ft tall, and too tall to get a ladder up to it.

Edited March 26 by Collectorpalms

[tstex 29]

Thank you to the last 3 posters.

I have followed the instructions of the former IPS president or Board Member.  He was on a Saturday morning talk show...He said to cut the dead material back and to apply the fungicide.  He also said to make sure you keep the stressed palms hydrated, not over watered, but the soil moist but not saturated.  We are in a La Nina and that's "warmer than normal and dryer than normal".  Have only had "tenths: in the rains per frequency, so watering is needed.  He also said it would not hurt to apply fungicide to soil either...

As mentioned, patience is going to be a major additive needed in this scenario.   Sure hope all of your prize palms make it...thanks, tstex

 

Edited March 26 by tstex

[tstex 29]

Good news !!!  My Phoenix Sylvestries Date palm is generating some new fronds !!!  Yeah !!! 

I'm going to buy some palm fertilizer and get her going...I"m going to apply a very light doze not to overwhelm her...thanks, tstex

 

[smatofu 16]

3/31 update, DFW area, day temperature between 70-80F, night temps 45-55F {cold } ; not much rain, but some cloudy days:

• 20-ft windmill -  green small fronds, small flowers;
• 6-ft windmill#1, left - it is growing; there is a movement up. White/yellow tissue visible; no green yet.
• 15-ft cabbage palm - still dormant; no spear pull; no change from previous update;
• 6-ft windmill#2, right - started to grow, a little bit of green visible,
• Sago#1, left - 100% defoliated. Firm tissue, no rot or any damage to trunk visible,
• Sago#2, right - 100% defoliated. Firm tissue, no rot or any damage to trunk visible.

Edited March 31 by smatofu

[Txneon 0]

On 3/15/2021 at 6:29 PM, smatofu said:

An 3/15 update, DFW area, after 2 sunny days with temps 70-80F:

20-ft windmill - no change, it is growing, new green spear visible 

one 6-ft windmill - no change, it is growing,  

15-ft cabbage palm - crown around the spear started to grow (maybe 1/2 inch in 2 days). Spear - still no movement. I don't really know what to make of it. I was expecting the spear to grow faster than everything else... Maybe the palm just needs more time... 

one 6-ft windmill - no spear pull; no spear growth  

 

Obviously, sun and temperature are 2 big positive factors. I have a feeling the situation would be much more dire if we had cold and rainy days. 

 

[smatofu 16]

4/7

[6-ft windmill#1, left - it is growing; there is a movement up. White/yellow tissue visible; no green yet.]

It pushed about 2 inches of green spear/fronds at night! It was the warmest night this spring: 66F. It looks like a survivor!

 

Edited April 7 by smatofu

[Reyes Vargas 287]

On 3/20/2021 at 1:28 PM, Reyes Vargas said:

Phoenix Palm before freeze

Phoenix Palm a week after freeze

Phoenix Palm today with spear pull

on the positive side my orange trees are starting to flower

I just went and checked out my palm and saw this.  Is that movement or am I seeing things.

[Collectorpalms 858]

12 hours ago, Reyes Vargas said:

I just went and checked out my palm and saw this.  Is that movement or am I seeing things.

Yes. I saw a neglected CIDP look the same way today. It was trying it’s hardest after 5F. Yours looks like a Rupicola?

Edited Thursday at 02:47 AM by Collectorpalms

[NorCalKing 285]

I have to say, I haven't been here in a while, and I expected this thread to be far uglier. Fingers crossed some survivors pull through!

[Reyes Vargas 287]

8 hours ago, Collectorpalms said:

Yes. I saw a neglected CIDP look the same way today. It was trying it’s hardest after 5F. Yours looks like a Rupicola?

I hope it makes it.  It was a nice looking palm.  Yes I bought a group of palms as pure rupicola but this is the only one that at least looked pure.  The other ones clumped so are a hybrid.

[smatofu 16]

8 hours ago, NorCalKing said:

I have to say, I haven't been here in a while, and I expected this thread to be far uglier. Fingers crossed some survivors pull through!

Thanks! Most people on the forum are palm enthusiasts: they know how to protect from cold and how to treat damaged palms. Those things positively affect the survival rate.

As I walk through my DFW neighborhood, future of many palms is still very uncertain. 

[Collectorpalms 858]

7 hours ago, smatofu said:

Thanks! Most people on the forum are palm enthusiasts: they know how to protect from cold and how to treat damaged palms. Those things positively affect the survival rate.

As I walk through my DFW neighborhood, future of many palms is still very uncertain. 

Might I add, there was several days of advance warning this freeze was coming for those that were paying attention. That may have helped in preparation where possible, but many have perished. Just follow the cold hardy palm threads.

Edited Thursday at 08:08 PM by Collectorpalms

[smatofu 16]

8 minutes ago, Collectorpalms said:

Might I add, there was several days of advance warning this freeze was coming for those that were paying attention. That may have helped in preparation where possible, but many have perished. Just follow the cold hardy palm threads.

Yes! I had known about the freeze and I prepared but inadequately. I underestimated the scale.  Next freeze I will better insulate crowns and I will install a heat cable.