Jax, Fl Royal Palm Update

[RoystoneaJax]

I thought I’d give you all an update on the big royal palms in Jax along the St. John’s river. We had a pretty mild winter in Jax overall but there was one very cold spell that lasted for about a week. In that week we had 4 nights in a row that hit the 20s and two of those nights it got down to 24. As you can see the royal palms got hit hard but I think they all survived as there still looks to be some green on them. I have, or had, a small royal in my yard that was completely defoliated but so far hasn’t had spear pull and I think might just barely be holding on as the spear seems to still be growing. Each one of the Christmas palms I had in my yard, (I had three) were completely defoliated and had spear pull and I went ahead and dug them out of my yard. I’m going to give the royal a chance to come back but don’t know if I’ll keep it because it isn’t great having a palm that looks like crap half of the year. On the bright side the kings around here seemed to do better so they might be an option too.

[Gottagrowemall]

My royal in palm coast had the spear pull a couple weeks ago. It was probably 15 feet tall. Had some nice trunk going. I cut it up and replaced it with a Sylvester. I’m sure if I had planted it in the right year I would have gotten several more years to enjoy it but I got unlucky.

[RoystoneaJax]

@Gottagrowemall What a shame. I think King palms could be an option if you still want a crown shaft palm. There is a nursery around me that has a bunch and they seem to have held up pretty well. Might be why they are so common in LA but Royals aren’t.

[South Carolina palms]

55 minutes ago, RoystoneaJax said:

I thought I’d give you all an update on the big royal palms in Jax along the St. John’s river. We had a pretty mild winter in Jax overall but there was one very cold spell that lasted for about a week. In that week we had 4 nights in a row that hit the 20s and two of those nights it got down to 24. As you can see the royal palms got hit hard but I think they all survived as there still looks to be some green on them. I have, or had, a small royal in my yard that was completely defoliated but so far hasn’t had spear pull and I think might just barely be holding on as the spear seems to still be growing. Each one of the Christmas palms I had in my yard, (I had three) were completely defoliated and had spear pull and I went ahead and dug them out of my yard. I’m going to give the royal a chance to come back but don’t know if I’ll keep it because it isn’t great having a palm that looks like crap half of the year. On the bright side the kings around here seemed to do better so they might be an option too.

That Bismarck in that photo looks good for those temps 

[RoystoneaJax]

22 minutes ago, South Carolina palms said:

That Bismarck in that photo looks good for those temps 

Yea it does I guess it’s possible that particular area could have a bit of a micro climate because it is right on the river. Too bad the washingtonia has some disease, I wish we could figure out a way to fight that.

[RedRabbit]

It’s amazing they survived 2010 when they took so much damage this year. Thanks for posting!

Edited March 21, 2023 by RedRabbit

[SeanK]

1 hour ago, Gottagrowemall said:

My royal in palm coast had the spear pull a couple weeks ago. It was probably 15 feet tall. Had some nice trunk going. I cut it up and replaced it with a Sylvester. I’m sure if I had planted it in the right year I would have gotten several more years to enjoy it but I got unlucky.

P.sylvestris much more cold-hardy, but you run the risk of lethal bronzing.

[kinzyjr]

@RoystoneaJax I had just talked with a CFPACS member on the phone about these.  Thanks for posting!

The closest airport climate-wise to this location is JACKSONVILLE CRAIG MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, FL US (KCRG) [USW00053860].  The records for the December 2022 cold snap primarily responsible for the damage:

There were some other brief periods of chill in January 2023, but those were 30F and above and tend not to bother mature Roystonea regia much.  Staying under 50F for ~72 consecutive hours over the course of four days really took its toll on the foliage.  They did come back from much worse in January 2010 as @RedRabbit mentioned:

[Johnny Palmseed]

6 hours ago, kinzyjr said:

Staying under 50F for ~72 consecutive hours over the course of four days really took its toll on the foliage.

This is one of the key points that a lot of people miss. It’s not just the lowest temperature that’s the problem, it’s also the duration of cold. And the fact that the palms just aren’t growing much in the winter. There’s no new foliage to replace the damaged leaves. This is part of the reason zone pushing is rarely successful.

Edited March 21, 2023 by Johnny Palmseed

[Merlyn]

@Johnny Palmseedit seems to vary in my yard.  Some palms took more frond damage last January when it was 24-25F in the backyard and 28-29 in the front yard...with frost.  But that was basically one night and it warmed up to 60 the next afternoon.  Others took more damage or were killed after this year's 4 day Christmas freeze, where it didn't go above 50F for 3 days.  A good example is:

• A 5' tall Coccothrinax Barbadensis/Dussiana that took 75% leaf burn at 27.5F last year...but flat out died after 4 days at Christmas...at the same temperature.  In that case the duration of cold was much worse. 
• Two identical Dypsis Onilahensis "weepy" large seedlings from Floribunda were in the front yard (lows of 29, 28, 33, 36) and in the back yard (lows of 28, 26.5, 31.5, 34).  I covered both with boxes, since they were only about 1-2' tall.  The backyard one defoliated and died...the front yard one looks totally fine.  With nearly identical daytime highs, the only difference is really about 1-2F on the lows. 

Anyway, that's kinda off-topic but there's probably an interplay between ultimate low and duration of low.

@RoystoneaJaxI came to the same conclusion regarding some of my palm choices...zone pushing is neat but if the palm consistently looks like crap for 6 months out of the year I'm not going to bother.  A royal may be a lot better than some, because they are fast growers and might look great by May.  If it did that every once in a while it wouldn't annoy me, but if it did that every single year I'd probably find a different palm.

[Steve the palmreader]

11 hours ago, kinzyjr said:

@RoystoneaJax I had just talked with a CFPACS member on the phone about these.  Thanks for posting!

The closest airport climate-wise to this location is JACKSONVILLE CRAIG MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, FL US (KCRG) [USW00053860].  The records for the December 2022 cold snap primarily responsible for the damage:

There were some other brief periods of chill in January 2023, but those were 30F and above and tend not to bother mature Roystonea regia much.  Staying under 50F for ~72 consecutive hours over the course of four days really took its toll on the foliage.  They did come back from much worse in January 2010 as @RedRabbit mentioned:

I looked at the PWS in that area those mornings and the temps were 25 to 27 degrees 

[byuind]

Mine are located on Anastasia Island outside St Augustine on the intercostal.

the cold wind did mine in pretty rough- where I live is basically a wide open wind tunnel. Hurricanes did a number as well so bad situation over all. Both were turned to basic brown crap except the centers that were protected with cloth and C9 lights.

 

the front one is coming back gangbusters, the rear is much slower but I’m cautiously optimistic at this point with the green. I’ve been up on a ladder with those things damn near every other week with the Hydrogen Peroxide giving them some love. I’ve trimmed off some of the really offensive brown for the sake of the HOA and my wife.

[Johnny Palmseed]

21 hours ago, Merlyn said:

I came to the same conclusion regarding some of my palm choices...zone pushing is neat but if the palm consistently looks like crap for 6 months out of the year I'm not going to bother.  A royal may be a lot better than some, because they are fast growers and might look great by May.  If it did that every once in a while it wouldn't annoy me, but if it did that every single year I'd probably find a different palm.

This accurately describes my feelings too. Zone pushing one small plant might not be too much trouble but trying to make your 9a/8b yard a 10 is not going to work. The plants will always struggle, look like crap for part of the year and perhaps die and it will be ridiculous amounts of work to protect them. I didn’t even think about HOAs but that’s another issue. They typically don’t love half dead palms. I am well south of St. Augustine and have had Royals and while I love them, I have removed them because they were always tattered looking (and yes, too large). Especially coming out of winter. And they never had that full round crown that I desired. Obviously , they can survive in this area and even further north but they are not going to look as good as South Florida.

[Johnny Palmseed]

21 hours ago, Merlyn said:

@Johnny Palmseedit seems to vary in my yard.  Some palms took more frond damage last January when it was 24-25F in the backyard and 28-29 in the front yard...with frost.  But that was basically one night and it warmed up to 60 the next afternoon.  Others took more damage or were killed after this year's 4 day Christmas freeze, where it didn't go above 50F for 3 days.  A good example is:

• A 5' tall Coccothrinax Barbadensis/Dussiana that took 75% leaf burn at 27.5F last year...but flat out died after 4 days at Christmas...at the same temperature.  In that case the duration of cold was much worse. 
• Two identical Dypsis Onilahensis "weepy" large seedlings from Floribunda were in the front yard (lows of 29, 28, 33, 36) and in the back yard (lows of 28, 26.5, 31.5, 34).  I covered both with boxes, since they were only about 1-2' tall.  The backyard one defoliated and died...the front yard one looks totally fine.  With nearly identical daytime highs, the only difference is really about 1-2F on the lows. 

I didn’t state it as well as you did but that was actually what I was thinking. Some plants will tolerate ultimate lows but will succumb to cold duration and vice versa. And it’s difficult at best to know which ones will do what until after.

[SeanK]

I wonder if Earthworks in JAX will pull their videos promoting Roystonea & A.alexander or at least add a buyer beware disclaimer.

[kinzyjr]

2 hours ago, SeanK said:

I wonder if Earthworks in JAX will pull their videos promoting Roystonea & A.alexander or at least add a buyer beware disclaimer.

They may.  The individual responsible for most of their Earthworks Jax Palm Playlist videos hasn't worked there in a while.

[SeanK]

I generally like their videos. Just have to be careful when you're installing marginal plants and then give a guarantee.

[byuind]

8 hours ago, SeanK said:

I generally like their videos. Just have to be careful when you're installing marginal plants and then give a guarantee.

There’s only two guarantees in life…. Lol

[JDawgs]

Hey guys - I’m in St. Augustine and just planted a Royal palm this past weekend. I had to buy it because I have wanted one for years, but could never find one until now. Any tips on freeze protection? It’s the palm in the foreground of the picture. 

[byuind]

14 hours ago, JDawgs said:

Hey guys - I’m in St. Augustine and just planted a Royal palm this past weekend. I had to buy it because I have wanted one for years, but could never find one until now. Any tips on freeze protection? It’s the palm in the foreground of the picture. 

Where’d you pick it up at? Im in St A as well - got many of mine from both Leonardi’s and one other member here.

 

as far as freeze protection id say get some cotton wrap tonprotect the heart and some non-led Xmas lights to lightly wrap around if you see temps coming below 35 degrees. 
 

lots and LOTS of water and sun and you have a shot. 
 

Which side of the house is it planted on? And is there any wind protection for it the first coulle years?

[JDawgs]

I got it from Southern Horticulture. It’s on the south side of the house and is close to the house so I think that’ll help. I lost a foxtail palm last year that I never protected. Also have a double king palm in the front yard that’s been doing ok. I figure a royal palm is just as hardy right?

[byuind]

6 hours ago, JDawgs said:

I got it from Southern Horticulture. It’s on the south side of the house and is close to the house so I think that’ll help. I lost a foxtail palm last year that I never protected. Also have a double king palm in the front yard that’s been doing ok. I figure a royal palm is just as hardy right?

My vote is yes.

Sounds like Judy at SH is up-ing her game!

[Almisa]

On 9/20/2023 at 9:43 AM, JDawgs said:

I got it from Southern Horticulture. It’s on the south side of the house and is close to the house so I think that’ll help. I lost a foxtail palm last year that I never protected. Also have a double king palm in the front yard that’s been doing ok. I figure a royal palm is just as hardy right?

So your kings survived last winter?  As I am always asked - what area of St Augustine do you live in? I was very tempted by a nice royal today even though I know better….I am west of Rt 1 at the very south end and we are resolved to being too far from the water and having too open (no canopy) an environment to support it -  the wind really makes a difference. So - I backed out - the nursery staff, who knows my location, concurred. I really appreciate nursery staff who, even in spite of a sale, look to provide the best advice for their clients. I am disappointed if SH didn’t have that conversation with you.   I have already lost 2 large Archontophoenix  alexandrae planted on south side near our house, and 2 Adonidia merrilli  (Christmas tree palm) triples, despite heavy protection over the past three years. It’s been traumatic…but I stubbornly ‘ordered’ them from a traveling palm guy - and did get refunded for one of the kings despite his warning to me which was honorable.  Anyway you are in it now.  Good luck - feed, water them and protect well in November and keep us up to date. We are rooting for you, JDawgs!

[Almisa]

8 minutes ago, Almisa said:

So your kings survived last winter?  As I am always asked - what area of St Augustine do you live in? I was very tempted by a nice royal today even though I know better….I am west of Rt 1 at the very south end and we are resolved to being too far from the water and having too open (no canopy) an environment to support it -  the wind really makes a difference. So - I backed out - the nursery staff, who knows my location, concurred. I really appreciate nursery staff who, even in spite of a sale, look to provide the best advice for their clients. I am disappointed if SH didn’t have that conversation with you.   I have already lost 2 large Archontophoenix  alexandrae planted on south side near our house, and 2 Adonidia merrilli  (Christmas tree palm) triples, despite heavy protection over the past three years. It’s been traumatic…but I stubbornly ‘ordered’ them from a traveling palm guy - and did get refunded for one of the kings despite his warning to me which was honorable.  Anyway you are in it now.  Good luck - feed, water them and protect well in November and keep us up to date. We are rooting for you, JDawgs!

So as a follow up - i see i was late to the party. I read you other posts on this and you did really good with your kings. That’s great.  Again good luck with the Royal.  have you ever checked out John’s Nursery out on CR210? He always has interesting palms, great pricing - for what it’s worth. 

[Rain52]

this royal located jax town center …the kings at the beaches. pics spring 2025

[howfam]

Nice palm pics. Thanks for posting. Good to see others trying to zone push in the Jax area. Please tell me where at the Town Center is the Royal located. I'd like to go look at it in person. 

[howfam]

On 3/20/2023 at 7:25 PM, RoystoneaJax said:

I thought I’d give you all an update on the big royal palms in Jax along the St. John’s river. We had a pretty mild winter in Jax overall but there was one very cold spell that lasted for about a week. In that week we had 4 nights in a row that hit the 20s and two of those nights it got down to 24. As you can see the royal palms got hit hard but I think they all survived as there still looks to be some green on them. I have, or had, a small royal in my yard that was completely defoliated but so far hasn’t had spear pull and I think might just barely be holding on as the spear seems to still be growing. Each one of the Christmas palms I had in my yard, (I had three) were completely defoliated and had spear pull and I went ahead and dug them out of my yard. I’m going to give the royal a chance to come back but don’t know if I’ll keep it because it isn’t great having a palm that looks like crap half of the year. On the bright side the kings around here seemed to do better so they might be an option too.

Hey RoystoneaJax:

Here are some updated pictures of those Royal Palms in Jax taken in April 2025. These are real survivors, with more than 20 yrs. at this location.  

[TropicsEnjoyer]

Amazing pictures. Town center having royals is quite surprising. I guess because the area is so full of buildings it probably helps trap heat. 

[Rubberboots]

How hot does it get there?

[TropicsEnjoyer]

5 hours ago, Rubberboots said:

How hot does it get there?

Summer highs range from mid 80s to mid 90s. It can really be brutal in shopping centers or anywhere without tree cover.

[Rubberboots]

30 minutes ago, TropicsEnjoyer said:

Summer highs range from mid 80s to mid 90s. It can really be brutal in shopping centers or anywhere without tree cover.

@TropicsEnjoyer I hear ya...only gets a mild 105-115 hear in Central Cali 🤣

[TropicsEnjoyer]

1 hour ago, Rubberboots said:

@TropicsEnjoyer I hear ya...only gets a mild 105-115 hear in Central Cali 🤣

i guess i’ll just keep enjoying the 90s! 

[Rain52]

On 7/3/2025 at 5:16 PM, TropicsEnjoyer said:

Amazing pictures. Town center having royals is quite surprising. I guess because the area is so full of buildings it probably helps trap heat. 

 

On 7/2/2025 at 9:05 PM, howfam said:

Nice palm pics. Thanks for posting. Good to see others trying to zone push in the Jax area. Please tell me where at the Town Center is the Royal located. I'd like to go look at it in person. 

by fogo de chao.. 

[sonoranfans]

Big royals in my area did better in 2010 at 28F in a radiative(low wind) event than the 2018(?) advective event where it was 30F for11-12 hrs.  The burn patterns told the tale.  In 2018 1/3rd of the crown, the lower leaves burned brown.  They apparently saw colder temps than the top half of the crown as expected in a radiative event where heat rises off the earth at night, and there is minimal wind to carry it away.  There was more damage at 30F in 2018 with the whole crown being browned but the spear was intact.  Yes the whole crown of mature area royals was browned.  They did come back pretty quickly in both years so the grow points were not damaged.  The point is that the temperature is warmer at height in a radiative event.  Might be 28F where you walk, but at 20'  up it could be 32F or even warmer.  In advective events that difference is minimal as winds mix it all.   I know that longer term below 50F has an effect as well but at 30F for 10 hrs I do expect to see browning of royal leaves and subsequent defoliation.  If the wind is still, it will be warmer up there.  USDA zones dont tell the story.  The story is the temperature at the bud height, and that will depend on how tall the palm is and whether its a radiative or advective cold event.   In the 2010 28F radiational event I had (3) small(8-10' OA) royals killed but the big royals(30' or more) all around the area were OK with that ~1/3rd burn of the lower crown.

[TropicsEnjoyer]

5 hours ago, Rain52 said:

 

by fogo de chao.. 

i’ve driven by there a couple of times i’m surprised i never saw them