Windmill Palm tree lights not warm enough

[ChicagoPalma]

As it couldn’t get any worse, the c9 mini lights in the box are not providing enough heat and currently it’s 22 outside and in the box 27. Only a 5 degree difference, thankfully though the last polar vortex really only brought temperatures down to 6 degrees in Chicago so the palm tree must have been around the 10-15 degrees temperature range. But I am still worried because I have not covered the spear in a lot of lights and am worried if any future polar vortexes bring the temps even lower than 5F. Here is also a pic of the palm for size and the box we placed it on so we don’t have to make it higher every year. (the palm tree only takes up the lower half of the box. Anyways, is there anything we can do about this?

[SeanK]

I guess you try to buy a 60W incandescent light bulb and hang it inside.

[Allen]

Box looks big.  Usually 2'x2'.  

On Amazon - 175 watts

https://amazon.com/dp/B009CZVM2Y

Or these are in stock in your area.  Just hang in the box don't bunch 300 around the palm - 120 watts

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Accents-Holiday-300-Clear-Incandescent-Mini-String-Lights-TOL-300L-C/202535024

 

OR Use something like this below with some older incandescent bulbs from your house or if you can find somewhere.  Spotlight bulbs 60-90 watts (Not LED Equivalent watts) on the thermocube placed away from palm.  These are more prone to go out though than the Christmas lights.  

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-CE-Metal-Lamp-Holder-LPHR-01/309407190

 

[ChicagoPalma]

alright I will try the 60w bulb and like a spotlight bulb inside the box. It will hopefully help.

[ChicagoPalma]

Or can I just put in a pipe heater or heater inside the box.

[Las Palmas Norte]

My idea with my enclosure is not to heat the interior, but to shelter the palm from wind, rain, snow, & frost. The small mini incandescent lights are to cast just enough mild warmth to shake off any nasty cold should that happen. These mini's are in close proximity or even right against the palm itself.

I do have a string of large C9's  I could set underneath the palm on the ground around the trunk. If we get any temps this winter less than 15°F, that secondary source will likely be deployed.

[CascadiaPalms]

22 hours ago, Las Palmas Norte said:

My idea with my enclosure is not to heat the interior, but to shelter the palm from wind, rain, snow, & frost. The small mini incandescent lights are to cast just enough mild warmth to shake off any nasty cold should that happen. These mini's are in close proximity or even right against the palm itself.

I do have a string of large C9's  I could set underneath the palm on the ground around the trunk. If we get any temps this winter less than 15°F, that secondary source will likely be deployed.

Brings up a good point.  Obvy the temp is a big factor, but the shelter alone is good.  This is why my palm friends in Zone 7 New Mexico are always saying that the Washy does well there.  The dry winter climate allows it.  The snow they get is very powdery and doesn't saturate the palm with moisture.  Of course once the spring comes they have to revive the hell out of it, but the elements (lack of) make for major zone pushing.

[tarnado]

All I can say is: godspeed and good luck in Chicago. I see Trachycarpus take temps down into the single digits in saturated conditions and come through looking healthy, so ... 

[jwitt]

7 hours ago, CascadiaPalms said:

  This is why my palm friends in Zone 7 New Mexico are always saying that the Washy does well there.  The dry winter climate allows it.  The snow they get is very powdery and doesn't saturate the palm with moisture.  Of course once the spring comes they have to revive the hell out of it, but the elements (lack of) make for major zone pushing.

Yeah....ok

[CascadiaPalms]

33 minutes ago, jwitt said:

Yeah....ok

😅 spoke to soon. 

[SeanK]

A light bulb you can just hang in there and plug it in when temps are below 30°. If you go with a pipe heater, you will have to wrap it around the trunk.

[wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww11]

then dont grow palms there unless you have a protective blanket

[ChicagoPalma]

I have an important announcement everyone! We reached -10F today overnight and the Palm tree only reached down to 9-10F. Compared to my worries, I think the palm survived the worst of it.

[GregVirginia7]

On 1/5/2025 at 6:51 PM, Las Palmas Norte said:

My idea with my enclosure is not to heat the interior, but to shelter the palm from wind, rain, snow, & frost. The small mini incandescent lights are to cast just enough mild warmth to shake off any nasty cold should that happen. These mini's are in close proximity or even right against the palm itself.

I do have a string of large C9's  I could set underneath the palm on the ground around the trunk. If we get any temps this winter less than 15°F, that secondary source will likely be deployed.

That’s what I do for my Chamaerops. I lay a blanket of incandescent mini lights on the ground all around the palm, out to the drip line. I also wrap the trunk as best I can with the lights…it’s a very well armed palm. I then attach an umbrella to a shepherd’s hook to position it over the top, like a roof. The black landscaper cloth is then added with the support of four 4’ stakes and a whole bunch of clothespins 😂 The site is relatively protected from heavy wind. Otherwise, this method would get blown to bits. Ugly but effective.

 

[PAPalmtrees]

On 1/7/2025 at 10:06 AM, wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww11 said:

then dont grow palms there unless you have a protective blanket

That's not true, and He's not even asking that lol

[SeanK]

On 1/21/2025 at 8:07 AM, ChicagoPalma said:

I have an important announcement everyone! We reached -10F today overnight and the Palm tree only reached down to 9-10F. Compared to my worries, I think the palm survived the worst of it.

See, you guys in Chicago are a tough lot. That includes your palms. Hang in there.