Delmarva Sabal Minors?

[AlexSmith]

Hi im Alex and Im a palm enthusiast from Delmarva Ive been very interested of the north spreading of sabal minors and other cold hardy palms.  Since alot are wildly being seen in southern virginia I always wondered if in the future some wild populations could grow here.  Technically the area im looking at in Delmarva is climate zone 7b which is 5 to 10 degrees but from global warming that climate map is outdated it never goes under 10 in that area. Which is right suitable for needle palms or sabal minors.  From other topics I read there seems to be some small populations spread out in south Delaware around Bethany that survive winter unaided. But whats also interesting is just the property plants businesses and peoples homes have Its becoming the new virginia beach Im starting to see way more sabal minors there.  Im not suprised if theres so many now there able to make seeds and have birds spread them.  Im very intrested in seeing if theres any small populations out in the wild in delmarva since no one besides us palm enthusiasts really researches and looks out for this stuff its possible there is. I am going to pokomoke river/stateforest to plant about 1000 seeds a year. Pokomoke seems like the best place since it mimics the north carolina south carolina rivers that sabal minors do grow near. Pokomoke on average seems to have more good places to plant then bad. Also as I stated its technically in 7b but it never goes below 10 there anymore thanks to climate change.  its more like 8a now. With 2 percent rate to adulthood is about 20 palms per 1000 and 10 percent would be 100. 2 percent is low luck 5 is what ill most likly get and 10 is really lucky.  If anyone you know or yourself has any info about secret wild sabal minor populations in delmarva please tell me or give me some location and photos that sounds weird but you know what i mean. And if anyones up to it buy some seeds and plant them in Pokomoke hopefully we can get a population there. I know write weird so sorry about that but yeah if anyone has any photos information or locations then definitely respond back. And go plant some seeds there

[PAPalmtrees]

5 hours ago, AlexSmith said:

Hi im Alex and Im a palm enthusiast from Delmarva Ive been very interested of the north spreading of sabal minors and other cold hardy palms.  Since alot are wildly being seen in southern virginia I always wondered if in the future some wild populations could grow here.  Technically the area im looking at in Delmarva is climate zone 7b which is 5 to 10 degrees but from global warming that climate map is outdated it never goes under 10 in that area. Which is right suitable for needle palms or sabal minors.  From other topics I read there seems to be some small populations spread out in south Delaware around Bethany that survive winter unaided. But whats also interesting is just the property plants businesses and peoples homes have Its becoming the new virginia beach Im starting to see way more sabal minors there.  Im not suprised if theres so many now there able to make seeds and have birds spread them.  Im very intrested in seeing if theres any small populations out in the wild in delmarva since no one besides us palm enthusiasts really researches and looks out for this stuff its possible there is. I am going to pokomoke river/stateforest to plant about 1000 seeds a year. Pokomoke seems like the best place since it mimics the north carolina south carolina rivers that sabal minors do grow near. Pokomoke on average seems to have more good places to plant then bad. Also as I stated its technically in 7b but it never goes below 10 there anymore thanks to climate change.  its more like 8a now. With 2 percent rate to adulthood is about 20 palms per 1000 and 10 percent would be 100. 2 percent is low luck 5 is what ill most likly get and 10 is really lucky.  If anyone you know or yourself has any info about secret wild sabal minor populations in delmarva please tell me or give me some location and photos that sounds weird but you know what i mean. And if anyones up to it buy some seeds and plant them in Pokomoke hopefully we can get a population there. I know write weird so sorry about that but yeah if anyone has any photos information or locations then definitely respond back. And go plant some seeds there

This is awesome man! I'm in needmore Pennsylvania z7a so I'm on the Maryland border About an hour and a half from DC. And this is something I would love to do in my local area. This spring on the Potomac River in Hancock MD  I would like to plant some sabal minors and  Scatter seeds. I think this is something everyone in the mid Atlantic regions needs to be doing reestablish populations of sabal minors Everywhere that they can grow!

[AlexSmith]

4 hours ago, PAPalmtrees said:

This is awesome man! I'm in needmore Pennsylvania z7a so I'm on the Maryland border About an hour and a half from DC. And this is something I would love to do in my local area. This spring on the Potomac River in Hancock MD  I would like to plant some sabal minors and  Scatter seeds. I think this is something everyone in the mid Atlantic regions needs to be doing reestablish populations of sabal minors Everywhere that they can grow!

Glad you agree cause climate zone maps are very outdated because of global warming most areas are a climate zone higher now if not 2 so I think its very possible your area can support them. Im hoping 10 years of this 1000 seed plan will get a population but I noticed Pokomoke definetly has a more dixie feel to it and I know a good spot to go from I saw another form on this website where there was a needle palm spotted in Janes island state park which is southern delmarva to. Potomac is a great place to start but I recommend finding a place at least 100 feet from the river because to much flooding will wipe out seeds. I also recomend making seedballs because another huge threat to seeds is rodents and seedballs help mask the sent of them. Are you thinking about the south Potomac or north but I definitely recommend a continued spot because polination between eachother is key once you got about 100 that reach breeding age there population will grow alot without you. But im not an expert but I have researched alot. I would def recomend Caledone state park. But if you ever find yourself in delmarva definetly head to pokomoke to plant some besides that pokomoke is a wonderful forest. Thanks for your response though ill def check out your channel!

[PAPalmtrees]

24 minutes ago, AlexSmith said:

Glad you agree cause climate zone maps are very outdated because of global warming most areas are a climate zone higher now if not 2 so I think its very possible your area can support them. Im hoping 10 years of this 1000 seed plan will get a population but I noticed Pokomoke definetly has a more dixie feel to it and I know a good spot to go from I saw another form on this website where there was a needle palm spotted in Janes island state park which is southern delmarva to. Potomac is a great place to start but I recommend finding a place at least 100 feet from the river because to much flooding will wipe out seeds. I also recomend making seedballs because another huge threat to seeds is rodents and seedballs help mask the sent of them. Are you thinking about the south Potomac or north but I definitely recommend a continued spot because polination between eachother is key once you got about 100 that reach breeding age there population will grow alot without you. But im not an expert but I have researched alot. I would def recomend Caledone state park. But if you ever find yourself in delmarva definetly head to pokomoke to plant some besides that pokomoke is a wonderful forest. Thanks for your response though ill def check out your channel!

Yes I agree I would say Hancock Maryland is easily a solid 7b (Except last year's and this year's Winters)  This is the area I would like to plant them in It is very swampy and in person it looks like you're somewhere in North Carolina it's very cool. Next time I'm there I'll get some pictures, I would also like to plant some 1-2 gallon sabal minor Also. It would be north Potomac. Thanks for the recommendation if I do scatter seeds I'll make seed balls! Also thanks for checking out my channel!

[AlexSmith]

41 minutes ago, PAPalmtrees said:

Yes I agree I would say Hancock Maryland is easily a solid 7b (Except last year's and this year's Winters)  This is the area I would like to plant them in It is very swampy and in person it looks like you're somewhere in North Carolina it's very cool. Next time I'm there I'll get some pictures, I would also like to plant some 1-2 gallon sabal minor Also. It would be north Potomac. Thanks for the recommendation if I do scatter seeds I'll make seed balls! Also thanks for checking out my channel!

Yeah definitely dosent look like a bad place only concern is temp up there but if it dosent get below 10 often then your probably good besides temperature that looks like a great place but yeah if you get about 100 seeds every year and some live plants themselves you could get a population there and from your channel that palm all the way up in PA outside no protection to seem with no leaf tip burn from the cold is shocking and a great sign for this goodluck! sabal minors can survive and create populations all over the places i talk about and there but for them to spread natually takes to long so us planting seeds can actually create a population thanks for sharing! good luck with this endever. if you want to see the delmarva stuff I talked about like bethany and janes island just search up Wild S. Minor on MD Eastern Shore? topic on google. Heres the images of Janes island state park needle palm.

[PAPalmtrees]

13 minutes ago, AlexSmith said:

Yeah definitely dosent look like a bad place only concern is temp up there but if it dosent get below 10 often then your probably good besides temperature that looks like a great place but yeah if you get about 100 seeds every year and some live plants themselves you could get a population there and from your channel that palm all the way up in PA outside no protection to seem with no leaf tip burn from the cold is shocking and a great sign for this goodluck! sabal minors can survive and create populations all over the places i talk about and there but for them to spread natually takes to long so us planting seeds can actually create a population thanks for sharing! good luck with this endever. if you want to see the delmarva stuff I talked about like bethany and janes island just search up Wild S. Minor on MD Eastern Shore? topic on google. Heres the images of Janes island state park needle palm.

Even if it does get below 10 they are very Hardy plants they can survive well under zero. There are some people in Cincinnati who have  very good luck with them and Wichita Kansas and they have survived record breaking cold. Yeah I've actually seen that post before but I'm going to relook at it thanks!

[PAPalmtrees]

@AlexSmith Whenever I plant some there I'll make a video on it on my Youtube channel And post  on here

[AlexSmith]

11 hours ago, PAPalmtrees said:

@AlexSmith Whenever I plant some there I'll make a video on it on my Youtube channel And post  on here

sounds good

[Chester B]

If you search on this forum, spreading Sabal minor seed in your area has been done by other Palmtalkers over the years.  Many people in your area have been on here discussing the same things you are now.  I suggest looking up some of the old posts and getting in contact with some of them to see how their seeds have done.

[SeanK]

On 1/28/2026 at 7:41 PM, AlexSmith said:

Glad you agree cause climate zone maps are very outdated because of global warming most areas are a climate zone higher now if not 2 so I think its very possible your area can support them. Im hoping 10 years of this 1000 seed plan will get a population but I noticed Pokomoke definetly has a more dixie feel to it and I know a good spot to go from I saw another form on this website where there was a needle palm spotted in Janes island state park which is southern delmarva to. Potomac is a great place to start but I recommend finding a place at least 100 feet from the river because to much flooding will wipe out seeds. I also recomend making seedballs because another huge threat to seeds is rodents and seedballs help mask the sent of them. Are you thinking about the south Potomac or north but I definitely recommend a continued spot because polination between eachother is key once you got about 100 that reach breeding age there population will grow alot without you. But im not an expert but I have researched alot. I would def recomend Caledone state park. But if you ever find yourself in delmarva definetly head to pokomoke to plant some besides that pokomoke is a wonderful forest. Thanks for your response though ill def check out your channel!

I think Florida may return to the 1990 zone map after this winter.

[PAPalmtrees]

1 hour ago, SeanK said:

I think Florida may return to the 1990 zone map after this winter.

This winter has been brutal

[Zone7Bpalmguy]

17 hours ago, SeanK said:

I think Florida may return to the 1990 zone map after this winter.

These new zone maps are a bit of a joke anyways.

[MarcusH]

17 hours ago, SeanK said:

I think Florida may return to the 1990 zone map after this winter.

I see a lot of zone pushed palms (  zone 10+ palms) in Florida,  especially the areas from NE , central and other 9b/10a zone regions.  I had that discussion a while back arguing about why cities spend a lot of tax payers money on zone pushed palms only to remove them after 20 years or less.  Just because you're experiencing decades long of warm winters doesn't mean it doesn't get cold.  

[AlexSmith]

On 1/29/2026 at 11:39 AM, Chester B said:

If you search on this forum, spreading Sabal minor seed in your area has been done by other Palmtalkers over the years.  Many people in your area have been on here discussing the same things you are now.  I suggest looking up some of the old posts and getting in contact with some of them to see how their seeds have done.

Ill try that thanks! 

[SeanK]

11 minutes ago, MarcusH said:

I see a lot of zone pushed palms (  zone 10+ palms) in Florida,  especially the areas from NE , central and other 9b/10a zone regions.  I had that discussion a while back arguing about why cities spend a lot of tax payers money on zone pushed palms only to remove them after 20 years or less.  Just because you're experiencing decades long of warm winters doesn't mean it doesn't get cold.  

It's important to know the local climate, as well as the microclimates of our yards. I just saw low temp predictions for the I4 corridor; 24°F. 

[PAPalmtrees]

1 hour ago, Zone7Bpalmguy said:

These new zone maps are a bit of a joke anyways.

I agree

[MarcusH]

2 hours ago, PAPalmtrees said:

I agree

The hardiness zone map is not useful for gardener.  I don't even know why so many people hold on to it while it's so obvious that no plant cares about average temperature .  I always give people the advice to check their ultimate low temperatures of the last 100 years because that allows you to see how many record breaking low temperatures occurred and how often as well.  Gardening is a learning process and everyone is different.  Some take the chance to zone push palms for as long as possible but at the end of the day whatever survives is what's been growing for many many decades and not just 1 to 40 years.  But I think it's absolutely OK to zone push . Me, I personally don't want to deal with the protection drama only to squeeze out some more years.

[Zone7Bpalmguy]

2 minutes ago, MarcusH said:

The hardiness zone map is not useful for gardener.  I don't even know why so many people hold on to it while it's so obvious that no plant cares about average temperature .  I always give people the advice to check their ultimate low temperatures of the last 100 years because that allows you to see how many record breaking low temperatures occurred and how often as well.  Gardening is a learning process and everyone is different.  Some take the chance to zone push palms for as long as possible but at the end of the day whatever survives is what's been growing for many many decades and not just 1 to 40 years.  But I think it's absolutely OK to zone push . Me, I personally don't want to deal with the protection drama only to squeeze out some more years.

You got to have something to go by though. Obviously some plants aren't hardy for a given area, so how else do you delineate that when plant shopping? Having said that , I do agree with a lot of what you say.

[MarcusH]

6 minutes ago, Zone7Bpalmguy said:

You got to have something to go by though. Obviously some plants aren't hardy for a given area, so how else do you delineate that when plant shopping? Having said that , I do agree with a lot of what you say.

Oh absolutely.  Plants are easy to dig out for the most part but I was mostly referring to palm trees. Digging out a 30 foot tall Washie requires more than just a pair of gloves, a shovel and a six pack of beer.  Ask people what it costs to remove mature palm trees . Something that every palm grower needs to understand including myself because it isn't always the cold that kills a palm. Diseases are also a real concern . But yes , you only live once lol. 

 

[SeanK]

On 1/30/2026 at 9:43 PM, PAPalmtrees said:

This winter has been brutal

Will you be at Gobbler's Knob on Monday?

[Zeeth]

On 1/31/2026 at 2:06 PM, MarcusH said:

I see a lot of zone pushed palms (  zone 10+ palms) in Florida,  especially the areas from NE , central and other 9b/10a zone regions.  I had that discussion a while back arguing about why cities spend a lot of tax payers money on zone pushed palms only to remove them after 20 years or less.  Just because you're experiencing decades long of warm winters doesn't mean it doesn't get cold.  

In my area of Central Florida we're far more likely to lose publicly planted palms to lightning, palm weevil, lethal bronzing, fusarium, or ganoderma than from a 20 year freeze. I'd much rather see the city plant something marginally cold sensitive than more Phoenix palms that rarely make it 5 years before needing to be replanted. Even native Sabal palms are susceptible to Lethal Bronzing. 

[MarcusH]

44 minutes ago, Zeeth said:

In my area of Central Florida we're far more likely to lose publicly planted palms to lightning, palm weevil, lethal bronzing, fusarium, or ganoderma than from a 20 year freeze. I'd much rather see the city plant something marginally cold sensitive than more Phoenix palms that rarely make it 5 years before needing to be replanted. Even native Sabal palms are susceptible to Lethal Bronzing. 

I know it's not an easy fix. Sabal palms are still the better choice in my opinion.  Lots of palm species are prone to pests so pick your poison or we can go back to less tropical by planting native trees that provide shade (?) Better for our ecosystem but you and I are palm enthusiasts so I would assume we rather have palm trees lol.  Question is what palms can withstand artic freezes , hurricanes,  low maintenance,  pest resistant and cheap ? 

[NC-Key-Bar]

1 minute ago, MarcusH said:

I know it's not an easy fix. Sabal palms are still the better choice in my opinion.  Lots of palm species are prone to pests so pick your poison or we can go back to less tropical by planting native trees that provide shade (?) Better for our ecosystem but you and I are palm enthusiasts so I would assume we rather have palm trees lol.  Question is what palms can withstand artic freezes , hurricanes,  low maintenance,  pest resistant and cheap ? 

I’ve noticed Central Florida and Disney have planted a lot of Livistona species. And down to 25F, those are about the toughest and most pest resistant. 
I go to Orlando twice a year for work. So no expert here. 

[MarcusH]

Just now, NC-Key-Bar said:

I’ve noticed Central Florida and Disney have planted a lot of Livistona species. And down to 25F, those are about the toughest and most pest resistant. 
I go to Orlando twice a year for work. So no expert here. 

We have a few here in San Antonio and I can tell they take upper teens like a champ. Butias seem to do well in Florida . I'm not sure how well they do in Central Florida but I see them all over in the northern peninsula. 

[PAPalmtrees]

On 2/4/2026 at 5:29 PM, MarcusH said:

We have a few here in San Antonio and I can tell they take upper teens like a champ. Butias seem to do well in Florida . I'm not sure how well they do in Central Florida but I see them all over in the northern peninsula. 

from what i'm aware of Butias actually do pretty well in Central Florida..

[Zone7Bpalmguy]

1 hour ago, PAPalmtrees said:

from what i'm aware of Butias actually do pretty well in Central Florida..

There's even nice sized butias (I know that's a relative term) in Columbus, Augusta etc... , even into southern and central Alabama too. The fall line cities are generally where they become longer term survivors.

[PAPalmtrees]

48 minutes ago, Zone7Bpalmguy said:

There's even nice sized butias (I know that's a relative term) in Columbus, Augusta etc... , even into southern and central Alabama too. The fall line cities are generally where they become longer term survivors.

Also in Virginia Beach they grow great there. I've also seen them grow in Central north Carolina places like Raleigh etc

[SeanK]

On 2/12/2026 at 10:33 AM, PAPalmtrees said:

from what i'm aware of Butias actually do pretty well in Central Florida..

They don't care much for sandy soils as micronutrients are quickly leached out. Clay helps to hold in the minerals and Butias look better. HHI South to I10, across the Gulf they flourish.

[SeanK]

On 2/12/2026 at 12:40 PM, PAPalmtrees said:

Also in Virginia Beach they grow great there. I've also seen them grow in Central north Carolina places like Raleigh etc

They look good along the fall line. Lake Norman area north of Charlotte has been good for them. The lake mitigates some of the cold.

[PAPalmtrees]

6 minutes ago, SeanK said:

They don't care much for sandy soils as micronutrients are quickly leached out. Clay helps to hold in the minerals and Butias look better. HHI South to I10, across the Gulf they flourish.

Yeah definitely i've noticed the best Butias  are always more inland where the soil is more clay

5 minutes ago, SeanK said:

They look good along the fall line. Lake Norman area north of Charlotte has been good for them. The lake mitigates some of the cold.

Yeah I've seen a bunch of them on the lake on google maps, they look amazing over there!