Livistona nitida?

[mjff]

Thinking about getting some of these from a grower in Alabama. They are supposed to be Livistona nitida, but he isn't sure. He says they are more easily cold damaged than the Livistona decoras that he has. What do you think?

[Miccles]

Hi,

I believe Livistona nitida is meant to be one of the most (if not THE most) cold hardy Livistona there is.

Regards

Michael.

[mjff]

Hi,

I believe Livistona nitida is meant to be one of the most (if not THE most) cold hardy Livistona there is.

Regards

Michael.

That's what we thought too, which is why we are suspicious these aren't L. nitida. I'm no expert on Livistonas, so I thought I'd ask. Maybe the Aussies will check-in soon, and opine on the matter.

[Walter John]

I think they're nitida, which should be more cold hardy yes.

[Matt N- Dallas]

Hi Martin- I have grown both l. decora and l. nitida here in Dallas, TX. I found decora to be more leaf hardy to freezes than nitida, but nitida to be more trunk hardy- if that makes sense. I lost the decora to cold in the winter of '09/'10. What was strange is that the leaves were not frozen, but the inside of the trunk was mush all the way to the ground. Nitida has definitely been more trunk hardy for me- even w/ often damaged leaves.

[mjff]

Hi Martin- I have grown both l. decora and l. nitida here in Dallas, TX. I found decora to be more leaf hardy to freezes than nitida, but nitida to be more trunk hardy- if that makes sense. I lost the decora to cold in the winter of '09/'10. What was strange is that the leaves were not frozen, but the inside of the trunk was mush all the way to the ground. Nitida has definitely been more trunk hardy for me- even w/ often damaged leaves.

That makes perfect sense and is what he is seeing. Of course, your L. nitida may have come from him. He sells a lot of palms to N TX.

That's weird that your L. decora didn't survive the freeze two years ago. I had one with about 3' of trunk and it was defoliated but came right back, and I think the freeze that year was a lot worse out here. It didn't survive last year's freeze though, but not much did.