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We have a little over 450 Sabal palmetto growing in the main campus of Florida State University in Tallahassee,FL zone 8b that show considerable variation. One of the things that has interested me is the difference in trunk diameter in specimens- I realize that there are a number of factors that can contribute to such variation-but I supect that genetics plays a strong role. Do you know of anyone who has documented some of these differences and/or has propagated "skinny" or "stocky" Sabal palmettos? Here is a photo showing some of this variation-one is growing at the Sandels Building, the other is behind the Strozier Library.

This palm is growing at my lake cabin at Cedar Creek lake Texas and survived below 10 deg and came back. It is the only one i have left because it has a decent micro climate on the lake and the north wind is blocked by the house. I also installed a sprinkler system that pumps out of the lake for watering the lawn and palms. As of now the lake is over 4 ft low we need some rain to bring it back up.

Also it could be that thin trunks result when many palms are competing for sunlight. We all know about elongation to reach the light. The thickest sabal palmettos Ive seen get a good sun exposure and good water supply.

I will send you some up when they germinate.

I just started germinating some Sabal Riverside seeds and had noticed how much larger the seeds were compared to the regular Sabal

I have also been advised this - i.e. slightly less dense medium, more on the drier side. Here is a link to a discussion on C. macropoda, with some good photos.

Very good thinking Kumar. This may apply to younger plants only though. Once the in ground palms have readied their root system then stand back, watch out, lock up your Dypsis, here comes the mighty Corypha invasion.