Tying up palm fronds

[Matt in OC]

Has anyone done this before? https://twitter.com/FairchildGarden/status/949337966685630466

[kinzyjr]

Yes, I do it almost every winter for my coconut palms.  I cover them after they are tied up as well.  See my post in this thread:

http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/55490-coconut-palms-vs-cold/

[Tracy S]

I've never seen that before. Interesting option. How much does it help? Is it just a few degrees warmer that way? Or a lot warmer?

[Palm Tree Jim]

Anyone with actual experience with this?

[kinzyjr]

@Tracy S I can't give you a quantifiable answer to be honest.  The best I can give you is an anecdotal. 

In the years that I've had my Malayan Dwarf, the lowest temperature weather underground has recorded at my airport is 26F.  During that same year, I didn't record a measurement below 30F at my location.  My location is typically a little warmer than the airport.  I've used my method since just after the worst of the infamous 2009-2010 winter.

It has kept my Green Malayan Dwarf alive in Lakeland, so I would say half a zone with some level of certainty.

[Tracy S]

That's awesome. Most times half a zone is all you need. And your method looks li ke it could be implemented very quickly. Thanks for the information.

[Tropicdoc]

I bind my palms then apply Christmas lights or heat cable then wrap with bubble foil. This year I used coban medical wrap it works perfect to bind the fronds. I will use it also to help stake young palms 

[Tropicdoc]

[Tracy S]

Is the stealth color an advantage over others colors? Or is it that the default color amazon offers based on your location?  

Seriously, I appreciate the advice.

[kinzyjr]

1 hour ago, Tracy S said:

Is the stealth color an advantage over others colors? Or is it that the default color amazon offers based on your location?  

Seriously, I appreciate the advice.

I tend to use dark colors since surfaces that are dark tend to absorb more of the heat and light colors reflect the light and push the heat away.  I haven't used artificial heat like @Tropicdoc uses, so if you use the Christmas lights or heating cable, you may not want to have the palm subjected to higher daytime temperatures that might cause it to start active growth again during a cold spell.