What Will You Miss About Growing Palms in Texas?

[buffy]

Holy Plant Armageddon! 

[Reyes Vargas]

Nothing because it's not going to get cold enough to kill anything here

[RJ]

I keep thinking about @meteorologistpalmguy magnificent JxS and your Yatay mule that is still in recovery mode.  Hoping things turn warmer in the next few days 

Edited February 11, 2021 by RJ

[Xenon]

Please not the Houston queen palms and Bismarckia   and pygmy dates . I currently live in College Station and can't fathom Houston looking like 8b...but at this rate it looks like CS might lose the robusta and become 8a 

Noooooooooooooo this is not happening !!! 

Edited February 11, 2021 by Xenon

[Teegurr]

3 minutes ago, Xenon said:

Please not the Houston queen palms and Bismarckia   and pygmy dates . I currently live in College Station and can't fathom Houston looking like 8b...but at this rate it looks like CS might lose the robusta and become 8a 

Noooooooooooooo this is not happening !!! 

I know! All the tall robustas, gone like that! Don't say it's so.

[Swolte]

If I have to believe the GFS model, I think my mindset will go to the default psychologically biased and statistically faulty reasoning of something like...

 ~ this is a once in century event and I've just had it therefore I am safe for the remainder of my life ~

Edited February 11, 2021 by Swolte

[Xenon]

18 minutes ago, Swolte said:

If I have to believe the GFS model, I think my mindset will go to the default psychologically biased and statistically faulty reasoning of something like...

 ~ this is a once in century event and I've just had it therefore I am safe for the remainder of my life ~

Yes! Line the roads in CS with queens this spring. Royal palm boulevards in Houston ..."we're overdue for a warm epoch, SE Texas will be tropical in 50 years" 

[jwitt]

I thought palmaggedon happened here in 2011. This is several years post the -5f these palms saw on 2/32011 in Las Cruces,NM.  

 

these palms are the survivors.  

 

Edited February 11, 2021 by jwitt

[SailorBold]

Save the uresanas!!

 

Plug in your truck.

 

Save the uresanas!!

[AnTonY]

I'm based out in Sugar Land, TX, just southwest of Houston. According to the NWS data, the place was no stranger to teens during the 2010s decade. It saw temps as low as maybe 15°F or 16°F during Jan 2010, and that was followed with a low of 20°F the following Feb 2011, as well as 19°F in Jan 2018 - that was at the official site, so it's possible that personal yards might have been even colder.

And yet, even after all that, I still see citrus, loquats, washintonias, and even syagrus on the latest views. For instance, see quite a few interesting specimens just down this random blvd just outside of town:
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.6492594,-95.6718412,3a,75y,223.07h,107.98t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJCkIjCc2K3soDyG0bP1lRg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Another neighborhood closer into town:
https://www.google.com/maps/@29.6008861,-95.675361,3a,75y,220.65h,102.31t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s3D9Cpcd9f6-2nIDPP3Va8A!2e0!5s20190801T000000!7i16384!8i8192

Edited February 11, 2021 by AnTonY

[SailorBold]

8 minutes ago, jwitt said:

I thought palmaggedon happened here in 2011. This is several years post the -5f these palms saw on 2/32011 in Las Cruces,NM.  

 

these palms are the survivors.  

 

Those palms are beautiful..magnificent. .. def. Not the palm for abq.. they die in a regular winter for the most part.  Im fine sticking with my TorC filifera.. they are magnificent too.  Do you know how cold TorC got during that freeze?? I need to research that one..

Although part of me wants to plant a pair of 30 foot robustiferas.  Lol

[Xenon]

2 minutes ago, AnTonY said:

I think Jan 2010, Feb 2011, and Jan 2018 could be utilized as good benchmarks for this event.

I'm based out in Sugar Land, TX, just southwest of Houston. According to the NWS data, the place was no stranger to teens during the 2010s decade. It saw temps as low as maybe 15°F or 16°F during Jan 2010, and that was followed with a low of 20°F the following Feb 2011, as well as 19°F in Jan 2018 - that was at the official site, so it's possible that personal yards might have been even colder.

That area is right on the edge of where you can pre-2010 queen palms in W/SW Houston. Short walking distance further west more than a stone's throw from Grand Parkway/99 and they almost completely disappear. Probably saw 17-18F during the worst cold events in 2010, 2011, and 2018. 

[palmnut-fry]

Oh my jeezus- just saw where the weather models see even poor Gulf coast getting low teens while up here in Big D, maybe zero?? I can remember last time it got this cold in both '89-90 and your just going to have to pray for a miracle with some of these tall, exposed palms now left to be frozen in place. There's a huge Jubea downtown that the Aquarium will wrap but being below freezing for days & days, is it even worth the time to wrap my Trachys & Sabals? Im not too worried about the minors, mind ya, as they're native, but dang, the splendid texanas & palmettos will surely be ruined!

There was an article years ago in the mag "PRINCIPES" that discussed that Trachys actually may produce their own heat, but I never caught another mention about that study. They're gonna need any they can muster! We were just getting some nice tall specimens of Washingtonias- fat too up here. But with over-zealous landscapers removing petticoats they will surely perish. I know only of a handful with these 'old bundled leaves of protection' ( up here by an old Dairy Queen off Columbia St) Perhaps a couple will somehow survive. My bay tree (Laurus) will get wrapped but it's been burnt to a crisp by a few hours of teens. Damn damn damn

 But for all our misery of the beauty we've enjoyed last few years, can't imagine the devastation to be realized down South. F#$%  Sorry y'all- Mother nature is not Fair, and doesn't make sense.

AND we thought last year SUCKED

[AnTonY]

10 minutes ago, Xenon said:

That area is right on the edge of where you can pre-2010 queen palms in W/SW Houston. Short walking distance further west more than a stone's throw from Grand Parkway/99 and they almost completely disappear. Probably saw 17-18F during the worst cold events in 2010, 2011, and 2018. 

Yes, I do notice a rather dramatic change in gardening landscape even just driving from Sugar Land to, say, Fulshear.

[AnTonY]

21 minutes ago, palmnut-fry said:

But for all our misery of the beauty we've enjoyed last few years, can't imagine the devastation to be realized down South. F#$%  Sorry y'all- Mother nature is not Fair, and doesn't make sense.

AND we thought last year SUCKED

Certainly unfair when even Charlotte is just getting low 30s at lowest.

It's becoming clear that this type of amplified pattern is not beneficial to the Texas climate at all - even if there wasn't any cold air in place, it would just be tiresome rain after rain. It looks like the opposite amplified pattern, a ridge west and trough east, is what benefits Texas, especially if that trough is farther away from the Rocky Mountains.

[jwitt]

25 minutes ago, SailorBold said:

Those palms are beautiful..magnificent. .. def. Not the palm for abq.. they die in a regular winter for the most part.  Im fine sticking with my TorC filifera.. they are magnificent too.  Do you know how cold TorC got during that freeze?? I need to research that one..

Although part of me wants to plant a pair of 30 foot robustiferas.  Lol

Did you see the date palm in the first pic?  That -5f referenced is from NMSU, mere blocks away! 

 

TORC- The high was 11f and low -6f!

 

On a side note, I know of 2 Phoenix C. That survived the -11 in Alamogordo.  

[SailorBold]

1 hour ago, jwitt said:

Did you see the date palm in the first pic?  That -5f referenced is from NMSU, mere blocks away! 

 

TORC- The high was 11f and low -6f!

 

On a side note, I know of 2 Phoenix C. That survived the -11 in Alamogordo.  

Yep noticed that.. amazing really... also.. looking closer now.. the last pic..  in between the 2 robustas on the right... is that a Brahea edulis???  Just noticed that..   I think I read somewhere that the leaves of brahea edulis are hardier than robusta...  id like to try one of those for sure..  amazing survivors.. should be a sign of hope.

I dont mind adding protection when we get bad freezes... but one should keep in mind that if you don't do it right you end up doing more harm than good.. with the cold with moisture from supplemental heat.  

I cleaned up the filifera seeds last weekend.. ready when you are...  

[amh]

On a positive note, the cold weather will kill off a lot of detrimental insects.

[Collectorpalms]

My garbage collector will miss all the debris my yard has created.

my next door neighbor is in the process of selling their house in the spring, they are gonna be annoyed if my yard looks like s**t brings their house value down.

i can’t imagine the bill for cutting down all the palms.

Edited February 11, 2021 by Collectorpalms

[SailorBold]

16 minutes ago, Collectorpalms said:

My garbage collector will miss all the debris my yard has created.

my next door neighbor is in the process of selling their house in the spring, they are gonna be annoyed if my yard looks like s**t brings their house value down.

i can’t imagine the bill for cutting down all the palms.

What are you protecting?  I'd go to harbor freight and pick up some tarps... tarp everything with xmas lights underneath.. might not help with the bigger stuff.. 

[Collectorpalms]

3 minutes ago, SailorBold said:

What are you protecting?  I'd go to harbor freight and pick up some tarps... tarp everything with xmas lights underneath.. might not help with the bigger stuff.. 

So far nothing is being protected. I couldn’t find a tarp that was 1/3 an acre, and 30-40 tall. 

[SailorBold]

4 minutes ago, Collectorpalms said:

So far nothing is being protected. I couldn’t find a tarp that was 1/3 an acre, and 30-40 tall. 

You got time....  you got some sort of heating cable/ lights...   Don't give up man. 

I ordered heat tape for the next bad one we get here..  Why let a couple days ruin how cool your yard is.. 

I am praying to the Ezekiel cherubs.

[Collectorpalms]

2 minutes ago, SailorBold said:

You got time....  you got some sort of heating cable/ lights...   Don't give up man. 

I ordered heat tape for the next bad one we get here..  Why let a couple days ruin how cool your yard is.. 

I am praying to the Ezekiel cherubs.

It’s was all a cool trial period. Could write a book. 

[SailorBold]

Just now, Collectorpalms said:

It’s was all a cool trial period. Could write a book. 

Do not become one of those bitter people..

***Snap out if it. Mannnn***

[SailorBold]

6 hours ago, Swolte said:

If I have to believe the GFS model, I think my mindset will go to the default psychologically biased and statistically faulty reasoning of something like...

 ~ this is a once in century event and I've just had it therefore I am safe for the remainder of my life ~

You know.. technically.. we are still coming out of the ice age.. so... my thinking would be.. climate wobble..  next one won't be so bad.  Lol

[Allen]

18 minutes ago, Collectorpalms said:

It’s was all a cool trial period. Could write a book. 

I would protect as much of the growth points and trunk as you can using whatever you can get together if the forecast doesn't turn around.  Many palms will live at lows less than you think if it's a one off event.  I planted some of those Lowe's Majesty palms as a annual and they survived 19F and they were small but protect if it's possible. 

Get something like this local and wrap trunk of prize palms.  wrap plastic sheeting over.   Best of luck, hopefully this is another model screwup.  

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200663276_200663276?cm_mmc=Google-LIA&utm_source=Google_LIA&utm_medium=Material Handling > Moving Blankets %2B Packing Supplies&utm_campaign=Ironton&utm_content=51595&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyJOBBhDCARIsAJG2h5cnmdsR5GlNkakSoknw6l2oa3F9IOvgCdw418hxC3p-iJZQlLXS0jAaAt7WEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Palm Man]

I feel bad for you all out in Texas. It could happen to any of us at any time. Hopefully it will not be as bad as forecasted. Growing palms from Texas to Virginia is like playing Russian Roulette! Even if you have to cut all the fronds off of your palms and wrap the trunks with lights and/or heat tape and plastic, etc., you could at least preserve the bud. 

[Swolte]

2 hours ago, Collectorpalms said:

So far nothing is being protected. I couldn’t find a tarp that was 1/3 an acre, and 30-40 tall. 

Ack, I never even got to see that yard!

FYI, all frost clothes at Lowes sold out already. Producers (still) has some. 

1 hour ago, Palm Man said:

Even if you have to cut all the fronds off of your palms and wrap the trunks with lights and/or heat tape and plastic, etc., you could at least preserve the bud. 

Yes, that's my plan for some of the larger ones if weather predictions don't improve by Sunday.

Edited February 11, 2021 by Swolte

[Allen]

This isn't aging well

https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/lifestyle/2012/02/02/revised-usda-plant-hardiness-map-puts-all-of-dallas-in-zone-8a/

[NBTX11]

Won't miss anything.  Not expecting anything to die.  I only have 4 large palms in my small yard, 2 Robusta and 2 Filifera, and not expecting to lose either.  I don't really zone push.  You don't protect palms this big anyways.    

[necturus]

What do you guys think about mules in Houston? Are they going to get it? Mine aren’t quite trunking yet.

[Collectorpalms]

44 minutes ago, NBTX11 said:

Won't miss anything.  Not expecting anything to die.  I only have 4 large palms in my small yard, 2 Robusta and 2 Filifera, and not expecting to lose either.  I don't really zone push.  You don't protect palms this big anyways.    

Washingtonia are not native to Texas, so its zone pushing in another manner. But since there are so many grown there is a lot of data for our area to have an idea of how cold hardy they are. Filifera, are great, but they can still have trunk damage. For Robusta, In 2011 the killing zone along the i35 corridor was central Austin. Robusta to the north and west of town, mortality was over 80 percent, however, even to the northeast like Bastrop and College station  it was closer to only 10 percent. This time that killing zone line is setting up much further south and east under even the most modest models.

Hybrids will be mixed.

Ignore, any data out of El Paso or NM, its does not apply to central Texas.

Edited February 12, 2021 by Collectorpalms

[Collectorpalms]

19 minutes ago, necturus said:

What do you guys think about mules in Houston? Are they going to get it? Mine aren’t quite trunking yet.

Coldest weather is setting up in central Texas. Right now Houston may be east of the worst. But ask yourself if you want it make sure they live given the chances, know that even 15-17F could kill your young ones. 

Edited February 12, 2021 by Collectorpalms

[Allen]

38 minutes ago, necturus said:

What do you guys think about mules in Houston? Are they going to get it? Mine aren’t quite trunking yet.

In TN I wrapped my mule yesterday.  they are pretty easy to wrap when under 12'.  They don't like ice and anything under 20 might hurt them/kill them.  I looked at your weather and Monday looks like the bad day.  I'd wait till closer and wrap if it's under 20 or ice storm expected.  

Edited February 12, 2021 by Allen

[NBTX11]

1 hour ago, Collectorpalms said:

Washingtonia are not native to Texas, so its zone pushing in another manner. But since there are so many grown there is a lot of data for our area to have an idea of how cold hardy they are. Filifera, are great, but they can still have trunk damage. For Robusta, In 2011 the killing zone along the i35 corridor was central Austin. Robusta to the north and west of town, mortality was over 80 percent, however, even to the northeast like Bastrop and College station  it was closer to only 10 percent. This time that killing zone line is setting up much further south and east under even the most modest models.

Hybrids will be mixed.

Ignore, any data out of El Paso or NM, its does not apply to central Texas.

My backyard Robusta is actually a hybrid.  To me the base looks slightly thicker than your standard pencil thin Robusta.  It had far less frond damage in 2010 and 2011 that many other Robusta I saw around.  The central fronds stayed green after the freeze.  Any cosmetic damage was to the outer fronds.  The Filifera had no damage that I recall.

Edited February 12, 2021 by NBTX11

[necturus]

I'm digging up all my young Schafer hybrids tomorrow. I will probably just wrap the mules and hope for the best. My largest Becarriophoenix is getting wrapped and heated.

[Advective]

In contrast to zone pushing, this potential weather event has me contemplating zone pulling: growing palms one zone hardier than their home

[Xerarch]

11 hours ago, buffy said:

Holy Plant Armageddon! 

Wow just checked forecast for your area, if it comes to pass it will smash all your lows listed below your profile! Fingers crossed for you

[OC2Texaspalmlvr]

42 minutes ago, Advective said:

In contrast to zone pushing, this potential weather event has me contemplating zone pulling: growing palms one zone hardier than their home

I think the best way to go about it is , have a base of bulletproof palms for your area as anchors and fill In the rest with zone pushes and BB store cheapies =) We all don't zone push but after a couple warm winters you can't help but try them haha 

T J 

Edited February 12, 2021 by OC2Texaspalmlvr
.

[NBTX11]

1 hour ago, Advective said:

In contrast to zone pushing, this potential weather event has me contemplating zone pulling: growing palms one zone hardier than their home

Just go out and plant a yard full of Trachycarpus, Sabal minors and such.