Zone-pushing with the help of urban heat island in Kentucky

[CodyORB]

USDA hardiness map shows only the southern limits of Kentucky lay in 7a, although large portions of the rest are in 6b. I noticed Louisville and Lexington geographically fall here and with the well-known help of urban heat island/canopy/ body of water it could be possible to to grow Trachy’s/needles/s. minor in this area without protection, provided they’re established. Had anyone here seen this pulled off?

Edited July 17, 2020 by CodyORB

[ColdBonsai]

I live in zone 7a (but really maybe 7b), and have had a needle do pretty well without protection. From what I understand minor would be about the same. I'm trying out a couple Trachy's up against the foundation but fully expect to protect them most winters.

But I'm also a lot more north than you in a high desert climate in Idaho. Sooo... yeah, apples to oranges... West of the rockies Idaho has some amazingly mild/warm(hotish) climates. But that also means fairly dry winters where I live, which I think works to my advantage. 

[kinzyjr]

  On 7/17/2020 at 1:50 AM, CodyORB said:

USDA hardiness map shows only the southern limits of Kentucky lay in 7a, although large portions of the rest are in 6b. I noticed Louisville and Lexington geographically fall here and with the well-known help of urban heat island/canopy/ body of water it could be possible to to grow Trachy’s/needles/s. minor in this area without protection, provided they’re established. Had anyone here seen this pulled off?

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You might find this helpful: https://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/63279-cincinnati-palms/

There are other posts by @donofriojim1 showing palms in the region of interest.

[Silas_Sancona]

  On 7/17/2020 at 1:50 AM, CodyORB said:

USDA hardiness map shows only the southern limits of Kentucky lay in 7a, although large portions of the rest are in 6b. I noticed Louisville and Lexington geographically fall here and with the well-known help of urban heat island/canopy/ body of water it could be possible to to grow Trachy’s/needles/s. minor in this area without protection, provided they’re established. Had anyone here seen this pulled off?

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Check out  " Cincinnati Palms " created by  @donofriojim1 earlier in the year.   Lived in that part of Ohio for several years and if they can survive on that side of the river, they should survive in Lexington or Louisville.

[Allen]

Sabal minor and needle maybe.  Trachy will need protection.

 

 

[TexasColdHardyPalms]

My sister in laws have needles unprotected in Evansville, IN and morganfield, KY.  The morganfield one has been there 6 years now from a 3g. 

[ky_palm064]

  On 7/17/2020 at 4:30 AM, Allen said:

Sabal minor and needle maybe.  Trachy will need protection.

 

 

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I agree with that.

I'm in a rural (6b) area between Louisville and Lexington. No urban heat island, but planting at a south facing wall in full sun adds a lot of growth for minors. Even if burnt almost to the ground (happened twice since 2005), minors in that micro-climate come blasting back that summer. They LOVE heat.