chmd 0000 - Cold Hardiness Observation Master Data

[kinzyjr]

This update corrects some location information using information reported by some observers.

 

202210292330_ColdHardinessMasterData.xlsx

[kinzyjr]

Description change per @Fusca - https://www.palmtalk.org/forum/topic/67130-the-palms-of-the-oblate-school-of-theology/?do=findComment&comment=1084552

 

202210312330_ColdHardinessMasterData.xlsx

[ZPalms]

On 10/31/2022 at 6:44 PM, kinzyjr said:

Description change per @Fusca - https://www.palmtalk.org/forum/topic/67130-the-palms-of-the-oblate-school-of-theology/?do=findComment&comment=1084552

 

202210312330_ColdHardinessMasterData.xlsx 990.09 kB · 17 downloads

I had no idea this existed, awesome data for zoning pushing 😍

[kinzyjr]

@RedRabbit + @Merlyn + @PalmJuan + @Brian M + @TampaPalms + @D Palm + @D. Morrowii + @Bkue

Thank you for all of your reports from the January 2022 Freeze.  They are now included in the new spreadsheet.  This version adds three new palm species and 12 new events.  Saint Johns Botantical Garden and Nature Preserve contributed over 200 reports, some for species that did not previously have a single observation.  If any corrections need to be made, let me know.

Some relevant statistics:

• Total Reports: 4902
• Distinct Species/Varieties: 711
• Top Contributors:

202211131830_ColdHardinessMasterData.xlsx

[D. Morrowii]

Thanks for this @kinzyjr! I’m sure there is a lot of work involved keeping this updated and I know I appreciate it. I’ve been using since I heard about it a little over a year ago and its helped this newby quite a bit. Thanks to everyone who has contributed as well!

[D Palm]

@kinzyjr Thank you for all the time and work you put into this! I have used this spreadsheet many times personally.

[Brian M]

@kinzyjr Thanks for all the hard work continuing to update this. Here's to hoping for a warm winter this year!

[Foxpalms]

@kinzyjr Thank you, this was extremely helpful and gave me a better insight to what palms stand a chance here and where I should plant a few (in a protected spot or not). Such as the Archontophoenix Alexandrae, Archontophoenix myolensis, Archontophoenix purperea, beccariophoenix Alfredii. ravenea glauca. cyphophoenix sp, Chambeyronia macrocarpa and a few more!

[jwitt]

Is there a way to add or someone to contact?

I can give multiple species of palms that survived temperatures in the open during a 2011 event here in NM/El Paso area.  Rewrites known extremes for Washingtonia, date palms, trachy survival.  Some are actually covered on palmtalk.

I am talking double digit below zero cold on back to back nights kind of stuff.

Edited November 17, 2022 by jwitt
Cleared up sentence

[Foxpalms]

@kinzyjr I can also provide some data. Last winters coldest temperature -0.9c/30.38f, Archontophoenix cunninghamiana in ground no damage, Archontophoenix alexandrae in a pot no damage (the only damage so far this year its sustained is sunburn from the UV was increasing in March and its only about 2-3ft tall), Syagrus romanzoffiana no damage, Chrysalidocarpus onilahensis no damage. The temperature these palms saw though was slightly higher than that though because they are in a microclimate.

Edited November 17, 2022 by Foxpalms

[kinzyjr]

22 hours ago, jwitt said:

Is there a way to add or someone to contact?

I can give multiple species of palms that survived temperatures in the open during a 2011 event here in NM/El Paso area.  Rewrites known extremes for Washingtonia, date palms, trachy survival.  Some are actually covered on palmtalk.

I am talking double digit below zero cold on back to back nights kind of stuff.

If you post them here or links to the other threads and comments you are referring to on PalmTalk, I'll gladly add them when I get a chance.

That area is known to get desert palms through some insanely low temperatures.  None of those would ever survive those temperatures here.

22 hours ago, Foxpalms said:

@kinzyjr I can also provide some data. Last winters coldest temperature -0.9c/30.38f, Archontophoenix cunninghamiana in ground no damage, Archontophoenix alexandrae in a pot no damage (the only damage so far this year its sustained is sunburn from the UV was increasing in March and its only about 2-3ft tall), Syagrus romanzoffiana no damage, Chrysalidocarpus onilahensis no damage. The temperature these palms saw though was slightly higher than that though because they are in a microclimate.

A few questions:

• Is this directly in London?
• Do you happen to have a few more days weather records on hand? 

Just some highs and lows help everyone see how cool tolerant the palms are as well as the ultimate lows.

Thank you for contributing!

[jwitt]

22 minutes ago, kinzyjr said:

That area is known to get desert palms through some insanely low temperatures.  None of those would ever survive those temperatures here

Rain, freezing rain, snow, and -5f wind event.  2/2011. Total defoliation.  

as Cruces, NM 

5 years later

 

[Foxpalms]

1 hour ago, kinzyjr said:

A few questions:

• Is this directly in London?
• Do you happen to have a few more days weather records on hand? 

Just some highs and lows help everyone see how cool tolerant the palms are as well as the ultimate lows.

Thank you for contributing!

Yes in central London.  Jan average high 9c/48f with a low of 5c/41f. Last winter though we had an abnormal amount of nights with clear skies in January.  In February it was 11c with a low of 5.5c.  You can also add howea forsteriana and Rhopalostylis sapida if you want as no damage.  If you can find the temperature data for la morran gardens and the tresco abbey gardens you could also add in the parajubaea cocoides, archontophoenix cunninghamiana, Rhopalostylis sapida, and phoenix roebelenii there and the archontophoenix Alexandrae, multiple archontophoenix cunninghamiana and howea forsteriana at Tresco. The Scilly isles have an average high of 10c with a low of 7c in the winter. I didn't have the weather station back then but the coldest the queen palm has seen Is -2.9c in February 2021 bare in mind that thermometer that recorded that was in the coldest part of the garden not where the queen palm is though so probably closer to to -2c. This will be the archontophoenix cunninghamiana's second winter. 

Edited November 18, 2022 by Foxpalms

[kinzyjr]

@jwitt + @Foxpalms

Thank you for the information.  These observations are now added to the database.

202211271020_ColdHardinessMasterData.xlsx

[jwitt]

[kinzyjr]

1 hour ago, jwitt said:

 

Are these Washingtonia filifera?  robusta?  filibusta?

[jwitt]

Robusta.

 

[jwitt]

5 hours ago, jwitt said:

Robusta.

 

Some more Alamogordo robusta survivors

[fr8train]

On 11/17/2022 at 10:20 PM, jwitt said:

Rain, freezing rain, snow, and -5f wind event.  2/2011. Total defoliation.  

 

as Cruces, NM 

5 years later

 

I stayed here once years ago. I didn't notice the Phoenix, it's pretty cool that's able to survive there. 

[jwitt]

15 minutes ago, fr8train said:

I stayed here once years ago. I didn't notice the Phoenix, it's pretty cool that's able to survive there. 

Not uncommon in Las Cruces. Both dates and CIDP. 

Some are even being attempted in ABQ.  

[fr8train]

2 minutes ago, jwitt said:

Not uncommon in Las Cruces. Both dates and CIDP. 

Some are even being attempted in ABQ.  

Is that photo from Albuquerque? I spent a week out there last year and I remembered seeing a house that had them. I was wondering how they did in winter. I don't really think Phoenix can make it where I am, other than CIDP, so that's impressive. It being so dry helps I suppose, from what I've read on here. 

Edited May 30, 2023 by fr8train

[jwitt]

Yes, ABQ

Third winter I believe.  The roots are surely in water(water table).  

Add a degree or two 

This winter

Previous winter

 

Edited May 30, 2023 by jwitt

[RFun]

That area of Southern New Mexico has seen some very cold weather (at times).  Subzero temps have been seen, yet most of the palms always seem to bounce back from any brief cold periods.

[jwf1983]

I'm probably just missing this information somewhere, so I apologize.  I have 5 Cycas revoluta, Trachy f., Sabal m., Beaucarnea recurvata, Psidium cattleyanum in Washington, DC.  I'd love to contribute to the hardiness data, as I think my location pushes the limits on many of these.  I also have a weather station, and I keep accurate data on a daily basis.

Where can I add to the hardiness data being collected?

 

[D. Morrowii]

3 hours ago, jwf1983 said:

I'm probably just missing this information somewhere, so I apologize.  I have 5 Cycas revoluta, Trachy f., Sabal m., Beaucarnea recurvata, Psidium cattleyanum in Washington, DC.  I'd love to contribute to the hardiness data, as I think my location pushes the limits on many of these.  I also have a weather station, and I keep accurate data on a daily basis.

Where can I add to the hardiness data being collected?

 

@jwf1983 The Freeze Damage Data forum  sorts alphabetically I believe. The best thing to do is look for an existing thread for the palm you’d like to add data for and post detailed info there. If you find there is not an existing thread for a given species then create a new thread for it. @kinzyjr curates this thing so he may have a better answer for you. 

[kinzyjr]

6 hours ago, jwf1983 said:

I'm probably just missing this information somewhere, so I apologize.  I have 5 Cycas revoluta, Trachy f., Sabal m., Beaucarnea recurvata, Psidium cattleyanum in Washington, DC.  I'd love to contribute to the hardiness data, as I think my location pushes the limits on many of these.  I also have a weather station, and I keep accurate data on a daily basis.

Where can I add to the hardiness data being collected?

 

Thank you @jwf1983 and @D. Morrowii for the offer and advice, respectively.  If anyone would like to expedite their observations being added to this sheet, please feel free to utilize the attached template: 20231005_PalmObservationsTemplate.xls.  A few hints to help out when using the template:

1. Please don't concern yourself with the Observation ID.  This column's value is auto-generated in the database.
2. The format of the PalmObs and CycadObs sheets is identical.  Both are included for easy separation of observations.
3. The Palm_ID and Cycad_ID can be determined by using the Cycads_tbl and/or Palms_tbl sheets.  Lookup the species and use the ID given.
4. Can't find your species in the Palms_tbl or Cycads_tbl sheets?  Check the Synonyms_tbl sheet.
5. Still can't find it?  Type the species name in the Description area inside of square brackets [Genus species 'variety'].  It may have to be added to the list and given an ID.
6. Use the Damage_tbl to assess what value to report in the Damage column.
7. Did your report come from an event already listed?  Check the Events_tbl.  If not, an Event can be added.  Just add a description in your post.

20231005_PalmObservationsTemplate.xlsx

[jwf1983]

20231005_PalmObservationsTemplate.xlsx Updated with information on Cycas rev and Ravenea rivularis observed during November 29, 2023 event with minimum temp of 26.1F (-3.27C).

[kinzyjr]

On 12/8/2023 at 9:05 AM, jwf1983 said:

20231005_PalmObservationsTemplate.xlsx Updated with information on Cycas rev and Ravenea rivularis observed during November 29, 2023 event with minimum temp of 26.1F (-3.27C).

These entries are now included in the Cold Hardiness Master Data update attached to this post.

202312100000_ColdHardinessMasterData.xlsx

[kinzyjr]

This update includes Palm updates from the Florida Christmas Freeze 2022 thread as well as both palm and cycad updates specifically from @Merlyn.  There are more threads that have been updated since the last update to the sheet, but those will have to wait for another update.  If you see anything that needs modified or removed, you know the drill.

Additional thanks to @JLM, @Matthew92, @D Palm, @Brian M, @Borderzoner, @RedRabbit, @D. Morrowii, @Plantking165, @Jimbean, @ChristianStAug, @chinandega81, @Estlander and @Scott W for contributing their observations to this update.

202406092045_ColdHardinessMasterData.xlsx

[kinzyjr]

It was a long wait, but this iteration does put us at 5,550 cold hardiness observations for Palms and 299 observations for cycads. Florida users still dominate the number of reports, but @gyuseppe and @Austinpalm have cracked the top 10 list for total number of reports.   Nice work!  Florida users account for the top 8 positions, but that can certainly change by the next release.  Below is the top 25 list out of 391 total contributors.

The reports now span 717 unique varieties of palms.  

A special thank you for everyone who has contributed observations over the years from a variety of climate and soil types.  A lot of "common knowledge" has been replaced by hard data that either validates or refutes it since this has started.

202508212355_ColdHardinessMasterData.xlsx

[D. Morrowii]

Nice work as usual @kinzyjr, thank you for your commitment to this! 

[flplantguy]

This is part of why i have a few i took a chance on, you never know what the reality is until you try! Invaluable info, thanks for putting it together and all the contributors!

[Ivanos1982]

On 9/19/2019 at 10:39 AM, kinzyjr said:

Overview

The PalmTalk forums contain thousands of observations on the cold tolerance from a variety of locations and climates.  One of the primary difficulties in determining cold hardiness of a particular species or variety of palm is that observations vary greatly, even at the same temperature in the same location.  Therefore, hardiness can be more accurately expressed as a probability rather than in absolutes.  

The goal of the attached list is to more accurately calculate the probability and degree of damage one could expect from a freeze on a particular species or variety of palm by consolidating the available data into one document.  This list is provided without any warranty or guarantee, expressed or implied.

Several factors can influence the effect of a low temperature on a palm.  These include:

1. Ultimate low temperature
2. Duration of the freeze – time below 28F, time below 32F, number of days with low temperatures
3. Weather before freeze – was it warm and sunny with plants in active growth or were the palms given time to harden off by a slower onset of below average temperatures?
4. Advective vs. Radiational freeze? – Advective freezes are usually more damaging due to wind chill and less stratification.
5. Overhead canopy/protective siting – Was the plant out in the open or under cover?  Are there structures or plants being used as windbreaks?  Canopy typically mitigates frost formation during a radiational freeze and windbreaks lessen the windchill effect during an advective freeze.
6. Frost – did frost form?
7. Wet vs. Dry – did the freeze come with wet/damp soils from a preceding rain storm or was the ground dry?
8. Size and overall health of the plant – A healthy, mature palm is usually more likely to survive than a palm that was juvenile or unhealthy.

Another consideration is how long a grower waited after the freeze to report damage.  Sometimes damage will manifest itself weeks or months after the actual freeze.  If a report comes too soon after the freeze, then the report could change.

When possible, the list is an attempt to consolidate observations into an easily searchable list that captures as many of the factors influencing damage and survival.  Because new observations are constantly being added, this list is a perpetual work in progress.

Credits

The following resources were and are being used to build this list:

• http://www.trebrown.com/palms_arecaceae.php - Used to build the initial list of palms since it is fairly complete and up to date.  Observations added to the list were checked against this list.  If the check failed, it was either because the name given is a synonym or another name needed to be added to the list.
• http://www.theplantlist.org – Used to check for synonyms of the palm species and varieties in the Trebrown list when no match could be found. 
• www.palmpedia.net – Invaluable as a tool to check for synonyms and species potentially not listed by the Trebrown list. 
• http://www.cfpacs.org/freezes-central-florida/ - The freeze observations at this site were added to this list and are also posted in the PalmTalk forums in the Freeze Damage Data section at the following URL: https://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/40159-aaa-florida-general-palm-hardiness-data/
• https://www.bg-map.com/noblick.html - The two tables available here were merged and duplicates were removed before expanding the list giving each observation its own row in the table.  When the name of the palm in this list could be identified as a synonym, the name in this list was preserved in the Description field in brackets [].  There is a full list of citations at this page that includes several active forum participants.
• https://www.palmtalk.org/forum/ - Some of the hardiness observations throughout the forum have been loaded into this list.  This portion will always be a work in progress.

201909190030_HardinessObservationsMasterData.xlsx

thank you so much for this information! Now if growers and the rest of the internet could adjust their info that would be great!

[kinzyjr]

2 hours ago, Ivanos1982 said:

thank you so much for this information! Now if growers and the rest of the internet could adjust their info that would be great!

You're welcome.  It's hard to believe this project has been going for almost 6 years already.  I took a look at the file size of the file on the first post you quoted, clocking in at 75KB.  The most recent file is over 18 times that size.  That's a lot of additions.

[5am]

@kinzyjr I think I found an issue with this release. It looks like the Description text is cut off at 256 characters in both the HardinessObs_Palms and PalmObs_tbl sheets. If this was intentional or just due to my subpar spreadsheet skills then I apologize for the alarm.  If I had to guess, the new column schema is different and silently lopped off the end.

Example from HardinessObs_Palms

• 2025 line 2608 vs 2024 line 2520
• 2025 line 2711 vs 2024 line 2583

PalmObs_tbl / HardinessPalms_tbl

• 2025 line 3003 (id 3001) vs 2024 line 3003

 

[kinzyjr]

@amh  Thank you for the report.  The column was supposed to be maxlength when I moved the DB, but ....

Either way, I'll fix it later this week and repost.

[JohnAndSancho]

I guess it's common knowledge that these are tanks, but the wild Sabal Minor in the woods only had a few scorched fronds after the 9° snap. And it's totally not a palm and this should surprise nobody, but my Mangave literally melted. It was in a hanging basket to keep the cats out and it literally turned into a puddle of black goo. Anyway, in all seriousness Jeremy, thanks for your dedication to all of this. Even from the labels on the seedlings you sent me, I can see you're a stickler for the details and your work is greatly appreciated. Hopefully I'll have some more good news for you in Spring. 

[kinzyjr]

2 hours ago, 5am said:

@kinzyjr I think I found an issue with this release. It looks like the Description text is cut off at 256 characters in both the HardinessObs_Palms and PalmObs_tbl sheets. If this was intentional or just due to my subpar spreadsheet skills then I apologize for the alarm.  If I had to guess, the new column schema is different and silently lopped off the end.

Example from HardinessObs_Palms

• 2025 line 2608 vs 2024 line 2520
• 2025 line 2711 vs 2024 line 2583

PalmObs_tbl / HardinessPalms_tbl

• 2025 line 3003 (id 3001) vs 2024 line 3003

 

The root cause of the issue is a registry setting I did not remember to set.  A quick workaround is to use the "first row" trick:

https://www.sqlservercentral.com/forums/topic/excel-import-truncates-at-255-characters

There were issues importing it directly, so I used a temporary staging table and then used the INSERT INTO [] SELECT * FROM []

That works.  

 

All,

The new file is attached.  Give this one a look and let me know if anything seems off.

 

202508252355_ColdHardinessMasterData.xlsx

[Mazat]

On 8/26/2025 at 6:09 AM, kinzyjr said:

The root cause of the issue is a registry setting I did not remember to set.  A quick workaround is to use the "first row" trick:

https://www.sqlservercentral.com/forums/topic/excel-import-truncates-at-255-characters

There were issues importing it directly, so I used a temporary staging table and then used the INSERT INTO [] SELECT * FROM []

That works.  

 

All,

The new file is attached.  Give this one a look and let me know if anything seems off.

 

202508252355_ColdHardinessMasterData.xlsx 1.15 MB · 11 downloads

Thank you very much, kinzyjr, for your work. I, we (including Sabine) really appreciate it.
We already have many zonepusher candidates and are always trying out new ones.
All this data in this form is extremely helpful and important.
Nevertheless, it gives us pause for thought, especially with the Cocos nucifera that is outside. I am glad that my bargain hunter 🤭 (Sabine) is technically knowledgeable about winter protection.
Once again, thank you very much for your efforts and best regards from little Switzerland near Lake Constance.

Tom and Sabine

 

 

[Hu Palmeras]

El 26/8/2025 a las 0:08, JohnAndSancho dijo:

Supongo que es de conocimiento público que estos son tanques, pero el Sabal Minor silvestre en el bosque solo tenía unas pocas hojas quemadas después del golpe de 9°. Y no es una palmera, y esto no debería sorprender a nadie, pero mi Mangave se derritió. Estaba en una cesta colgante para mantener alejados a los gatos y se convirtió en un carbón de sustancia negra. En fin, hablando en serio, Jeremy, gracias por tu dedicación. Incluso por las etiquetas de las plántulas que me enviaste, puedo ver que eres muy meticuloso con los detalles y tu trabajo es muy apreciado. Espero tener más buenas noticias para ti en primavera. 

It's unfortunate that the cold damages palm trees. And it's an even bigger loss when they're tropical.