Bridgeport Sabal Palmetto CT Notable Trees

[Allen]

2 hours ago, Xion4360 said:

20240813_150724.heic 5.17 MB · 15 downloads 20240813_150717.heic 3.68 MB · 8 downloads

 

Bridgeport Sabal Palm has flowered this year? first time ive seen it

Pic Repost of Bridgeport Sabal palmetto in jpg format so everyone can see

[DrZnaturally]

1 minute ago, Allen said:

Pic Repost of Bridgeport Sabal palmetto in jpg format so everyone can see

amazing!! so nice to see this in CT. The tree ive grown from seed is all grown up!! Domething to behold

Thanks for reposting!!

 

In green medicine

DrZ

[Colin1110082]

6 hours ago, DrZnaturally said:

amazing!! so nice to see this in CT. The tree ive grown from seed is all grown up!! Domething to behold

Thanks for reposting!!

 

In green medicine

DrZ

Yours is truly a spectacle. It looks like one you would see in Georgia or Florida. Are there any other hardy palms in the area? I live in MA and we have family in Hartford so we usually drive down a lot to visit. There are a few of the hardy bananas but i’ve seen no palms.

[DrZnaturally]

Im afraid theres not much to see around the Universay of Bridgeport campus anymore,

the palm is in Bridgeport, quite a way from Hartford, on campus,across from Sea side park,which is a nice place to have a picknic!

be well,

 

DrZnaturally

[Subtropical LIS]

On 4/15/2024 at 2:59 PM, DrZnaturally said:

bridgeport CT is a 7A USDA zone, and i think Norwalk is too

The microclimate that we have found for the Sabal  is definitely a 7B/8A, as the ground close the building dosen't freeze at all in the winter; we use landscape cloth and well vented 6 mil plastic to wrap it every winter

Looking good Dr. Z!

 

It looks as good as the ones I see  down on the South Carolina coast (I go back and forth a few times each winter). Removing the lower fronds really make it look nice.

We did pretty well on the coast of Connecticut/Long Island this past winter (my low was only 13 F). My palmetto has done well it's 4th growing season so far (frond number 6 coming up). With all the 90 F temps and high humidity, I'm sure palms in the Tri-State area are loving it. Keep watching over that UB palm!

 

My palmetto a month ago:

 

[Colin1110082]

17 hours ago, DrZnaturally said:

Im afraid theres not much to see around the Universay of Bridgeport campus anymore,

the palm is in Bridgeport, quite a way from Hartford, on campus,across from Sea side park,which is a nice place to have a picknic!

be well,

 

DrZnaturally

Yes we’ve been to Bridgeport a few times I had no idea this was there. It’s a shame you don’t see a lot of hardy palms in the area. I just think most people associate palms with the tropics even if it’s a Sabal minor or windmill. Looks good! I agree you should trim the lower fronds a bit to show more trunk. Yours has a healthy looking crown. Hey do i see flowers on it is there any volunteers 

[Xion4360]

November 5, 2024

[SeanK]

Kinda funny, every window with its own A/C unit. No central air conditioning.

[Aceraceae]

The shabby uninsulated building with a heated basement is or at least was part of the reason for this palm's exceptionally favorable nanoclimate. But didn't they recently retrofit foamboard insulation or interior insulation to the building? 

The canopy looks huge and it's almost got a parallel trunk. Not bad for a full zone push that's covered and dormant a few months a year. 

[DrZnaturally]

This is DrZnaturally

i planted this palm outside in 2009 after much research on the microclimate of that spot 

the bricks hold so much heat in the winter

i would often see flies overwintering there in February 

it’s very close to Long Island sound

the alcove blocks the north wind 

minuses Dr Franco’s mummy wrap from his book Palms won’t grow here and other myths

and I think you’re right about the building leaking heat as 1.5 feet away from the foundation never freezes 

plus I think for years folks never really knew how resilient Sabal palmettos actually are

there are examples of these bosoms growing in Tennessee zone 6 for years and years

so i just took a chance 

 

be well

 

drZ

 

 

 

 

 

[DrZnaturally]

Sorry some typos

examples of these palms growing long term in some 6 Tennessee

and we use the mummy wrap

but as the palm is getting so big I’m not sure how long we can do that and may have to leave it to the elements unless we get some volunteers to help wrap??

 

we usually wrap it right before or after Christmas break

DrZnaturally

 

[Las Palmas Norte]

Even surviving the non recommended poly wrap.

[DrZnaturally]

12 minutes ago, Las Palmas Norte said:

Even surviving the non recommended poly wrap.

 

[DrZnaturally]

Dr Franco's book PALMS WONT GROW HERE AND OTHER MYTHS mentioned that you need one waterproof layer, i guess i could have sprayed the landscape cloth we use as the first layers with waterprooofing of some sort, but the mummy wrap is always vented even with the plastic, which is 6 ML but vented,

it seems to have worked since 2009

you can see it through it's life here

http://oak.conncoll.edu:8080/notabletrees/ViewTreeData.jsp?selected=226219

 

best,

DrZnaturally

 

[Subtropical LIS]

On 11/10/2024 at 1:45 PM, DrZnaturally said:

Dr Franco's book PALMS WONT GROW HERE AND OTHER MYTHS mentioned that you need one waterproof layer, i guess i could have sprayed the landscape cloth we use as the first layers with waterprooofing of some sort, but the mummy wrap is always vented even with the plastic, which is 6 ML but vented,

it seems to have worked since 2009

you can see it through it's life here

http://oak.conncoll.edu:8080/notabletrees/ViewTreeData.jsp?selected=226219

 

best,

DrZnaturally

 

Looking great DR. Z!

 

We had a long hot summer on the East Coast this year which I'm sure the sabals loved. That sabal looks as good as the ones I see in VA Beach.  I think palmetto should be tried on the East Coast zone 7 from coastal Maryland to coastal Connecticut more often.  

Coastal Connecticut/Long Island/coastal New Jersey down to coastal Maryland is much milder in terms of winter lows than many people realize.  I'm a bit east of you down the coast near Saybrook Point. My lows are often only in the 4 - 6 F range, maybe 1 time a winter, and then only for a few hrs.  I think if you cover them with a frost cloth, palmetto should be hardy near Long island sound. Protected south facing microclimate is the key.

Here is mine...nowhere near the size of the one at UB, but I added 6 fronds this year, and after 4 years it's about 7 feet tall. I cover with frost cloth and tarp from Dec - early March though when we have those rare warmer 50 - 55 F days in winter, I uncover to get some light. So far so good. 

[DrZnaturally]

That looks amazing, ours at UBridgeport shot up when it was the size of yours very quickly, so hopefully u have some room!

 

stay well,

DrZnaturally

[DrZnaturally]

Yes there were a few years where t was uncovered and one year it almost died!! spear pull and everthing, 

But my friend Dr Norm is a plant shaman and got it to survive, you should see it now!

 

Cool,

DrZnaturally

 

[WRH]

Late December update on my Windmill Palm on the southern CT coast in Norwalk! We are expected to see some low temps tonight and tomorrow night in the low and mid teens, and I am always very leery about leaving this palm uncovered and risking such a cool specimen. Unfortunately at this height I had to chop all the fronds off before coving the trunk and remaining spear with my custom zip-up frost cloth. The heat from a few c9’s should make it another successful winter until early March, when I uncover it. Of course, the needles are always fine! 

Just as a general question, what is the low temperature that prompts you guys to cover your zone-pushing palms? When I see 15 I feel I need to cover the windmill, but I think I might just be overly conservative. In this south facing microclimate I could probably get away with lower temps.

Before the carnage…the crown will look pretty respectable come July 1.

Using a tomato trellis to keep the frost cloth away from the crown.

All done!

All of my needles get no special treatment and look their same happy selves year round.

[Manalto]

Very nice system you've got for the windmill. I tried a needle in Connecticut (Hartford), too, but mine didn't make it. I'm guessing poor drainage. Yours look terrific!

[Subtropical LIS]

7 hours ago, WRH said:

Late December update on my Windmill Palm on the southern CT coast in Norwalk! We are expected to see some low temps tonight and tomorrow night in the low and mid teens, and I am always very leery about leaving this palm uncovered and risking such a cool specimen. Unfortunately at this height I had to chop all the fronds off before coving the trunk and remaining spear with my custom zip-up frost cloth. The heat from a few c9’s should make it another successful winter until early March, when I uncover it. Of course, the needles are always fine! 

Just as a general question, what is the low temperature that prompts you guys to cover your zone-pushing palms? When I see 15 I feel I need to cover the windmill, but I think I might just be overly conservative. In this south facing microclimate I could probably get away with lower temps.

Before the carnage…the crown will look pretty respectable come July 1.

Using a tomato trellis to keep the frost cloth away from the crown.

All done!

All of my needles get no special treatment and look their same happy selves year round.

Saying things in absolute terms can always be risky…because almost every plant has a unique microclimate: Just a slightly better/worse exposure to sun/cold/precip/wind direction…etc can allow one plant to survive and kill another. So, with that caution, I’ll give you my thresholds, lol.  I’m down to coast east of you near Westbrook/Saybrook. I’m a bit more marine controlled than SW Connecticut/NYC area, so my summers temps slightly cooler/winter lows slightly higher. However, we are essentially the same 7b East Coast climate.

Needles need no protection on the East Coast below Boston/New England. From Connecticut/Long Island south, Needles can take anything zone 7 – 8 on the East Coast can throw at it. My big one has been growing for 7 years and has seen windchills at least twice below 0 F and had zero damage.

My Sabal gets covered when the low temp is forecasted to go below 15 F. I’ve read they can bounce back from 5 F…but I would NEVER risk it. Why chance losing something you admired all year for a few hrs of cold on one or two nights. It’s not worth the risk, lol. If I see windchills or temps below 15 are expected, I cover it.  My Washingtonia Robusta gets covered when temps/windchills go below 28 F.

This was my Sabal in early December:

Sadly, I don’t have a Windmill palm growing. I do see them now and then on the coast of Connecticut and south down the East Coast to Virginia Beach (mother lives in Ocean City, MD). Most people from Delaware south don’t protect them at all once they become established (2-3 years). My mother has a Pindo Palm growing in her yard in Ocean City, MD, (a bit wamer zone 8b or so), she covers with frost cloth when temps/windchills below 20 F are expected. 

In New Jersey, coastal Connecticut/Long Island, some people cover them in the 3 winter months, some don’t.  You might be interested to know there are a group of Windmills growing near the beach down in Clinton, CT (about 50 miles east of you), on the south side (beach side) that grows unprotected. In fact, I shot a video this past November as I passed by this home. Here is screen capture from the vid:

So, I would guess, that covering it and even just a few C 9 lights (just for a backup) and you would be fine.  So I think mid teens are a good starting point. Why take a chance after 364 days of watching something grow, get beat up on a few nights. If can protect with minimal effort, I would do it. Look what happened in Texas this past winter. 

[Allen]

18 hours ago, WRH said:

Late December update on my Windmill Palm on the southern CT coast in Norwalk! We are expected to see some low temps tonight and tomorrow night in the low and mid teens, and I am always very leery about leaving this palm uncovered and risking such a cool specimen. Unfortunately at this height I had to chop all the fronds off before coving the trunk and remaining spear with my custom zip-up frost cloth. The heat from a few c9’s should make it another successful winter until early March, when I uncover it. Of course, the needles are always fine! 

Just as a general question, what is the low temperature that prompts you guys to cover your zone-pushing palms? When I see 15 I feel I need to cover the windmill, but I think I might just be overly conservative. In this south facing microclimate I could probably get away with lower temps.

Before the carnage…the crown will look pretty respectable come July 1.

Using a tomato trellis to keep the frost cloth away from the crown.

All done!

All of my needles get no special treatment and look their same happy selves year round.

Nice on the needles.  I think you should have tried to protect the fronds on the Trachy more.  In your location many years it looks like they might take little damage anyway.  That will weaken that palm and make it susceptible to fungus in spring.  To answer your question around 10-12F the palm fronds will take spot damage.  Around 8F, 50% + damage

[WRH]

13 hours ago, Subtropical LIS said:

Saying things in absolute terms can always be risky…because almost every plant has a unique microclimate: Just a slightly better/worse exposure to sun/cold/precip/wind direction…etc can allow one plant to survive and kill another. So, with that caution, I’ll give you my thresholds, lol.  I’m down to coast east of you near Westbrook/Saybrook. I’m a bit more marine controlled than SW Connecticut/NYC area, so my summers temps slightly cooler/winter lows slightly higher. However, we are essentially the same 7b East Coast climate.

Needles need no protection on the East Coast below Boston/New England. From Connecticut/Long Island south, Needles can take anything zone 7 – 8 on the East Coast can throw at it. My big one has been growing for 7 years and has seen windchills at least twice below 0 F and had zero damage.

My Sabal gets covered when the low temp is forecasted to go below 15 F. I’ve read they can bounce back from 5 F…but I would NEVER risk it. Why chance losing something you admired all year for a few hrs of cold on one or two nights. It’s not worth the risk, lol. If I see windchills or temps below 15 are expected, I cover it.  My Washingtonia Robusta gets covered when temps/windchills go below 28 F.

This was my Sabal in early December:

Sadly, I don’t have a Windmill palm growing. I do see them now and then on the coast of Connecticut and south down the East Coast to Virginia Beach (mother lives in Ocean City, MD). Most people from Delaware south don’t protect them at all once they become established (2-3 years). My mother has a Pindo Palm growing in her yard in Ocean City, MD, (a bit wamer zone 8b or so), she covers with frost cloth when temps/windchills below 20 F are expected. 

In New Jersey, coastal Connecticut/Long Island, some people cover them in the 3 winter months, some don’t.  You might be interested to know there are a group of Windmills growing near the beach down in Clinton, CT (about 50 miles east of you), on the south side (beach side) that grows unprotected. In fact, I shot a video this past November as I passed by this home. Here is screen capture from the vid:

So, I would guess, that covering it and even just a few C 9 lights (just for a backup) and you would be fine.  So I think mid teens are a good starting point. Why take a chance after 364 days of watching something grow, get beat up on a few nights. If can protect with minimal effort, I would do it. Look what happened in Texas this past winter. 

Great looking plants up the coast! I couldn't agree more about not wanting to risk it for one or two cold nights every year, especially given that large specimens are pricey (in both time and money) to replace. I am not sure what I will do once the palm reaches a certain height, maybe my hand will be forced to see it's ultimate hardiness in that location.

Coincidentally, I know exactly what you are referring to with regards to many nice windmills in the Delaware shore/Ocean City area. My family has a house in Bethany, and there are many great specimens (some of them hidden from the street view) around town. No doubt gardeners in the area are planting more cold-hardy species, and I've certainly seen a transformation in the over 20 years I've been going there. I'm headed down in a few days, it'll be nice to poke around and see what new ones I can find!

[WRH]

2 hours ago, Allen said:

Nice on the needles.  I think you should have tried to protect the fronds on the Trachy more.  In your location many years it looks like they might take little damage anyway.  That will weaken that palm and make it susceptible to fungus in spring.  To answer your question around 10-12F the palm fronds will take spot damage.  Around 8F, 50% + damage

I used to do that, but the tree is just too tall now. Getting my arms around all of those large fronds that high up on a ladder is not for me, not to mention that when tied, the fronds add another 4 feet at least to the height of the tree. It pains me to do it, but it's too valuable to me to risk losing it outright. 

[DrZnaturally]

21 hours ago, WRH said:

Late December update on my Windmill Palm on the southern CT coast in Norwalk! We are expected to see some low temps tonight and tomorrow night in the low and mid teens, and I am always very leery about leaving this palm uncovered and risking such a cool specimen. Unfortunately at this height I had to chop all the fronds off before coving the trunk and remaining spear with my custom zip-up frost cloth. The heat from a few c9’s should make it another successful winter until early March, when I uncover it. Of course, the needles are always fine! 

Just as a general question, what is the low temperature that prompts you guys to cover your zone-pushing palms? When I see 15 I feel I need to cover the windmill, but I think I might just be overly conservative. In this south facing microclimate I could probably get away with lower temps.

Before the carnage…the crown will look pretty respectable come July 1.

Using a tomato trellis to keep the frost cloth away from the crown.

All done!

All of my needles get no special treatment and look their same happy selves year round.

DrZ naturally here

My trachycarpus which is 15 feet tall I just put some Christmas C9 lights and covered the spear with some landscape cloth but all of the fronds are exposed 

 

Inhope it dowsnwelldoes well

 

our Sabal palmetto Bridgeport has seeds!!

i will try germinating them if folks want this hardy palms youngsters

outside since 2009

 

[N8ALLRIGHT]

@DrZnaturally, you absolutely should make seeds or seedlings available. Regardless of the microclimates it seems to have inherently cold hardy genes. I'm sure many people would be interested in purchasing them.

Good luck 

[Aceraceae]

It's above the roofline now too. 

[DrZnaturally]

Hey Palm brethren and sistren,

brutal cold last night in Woodbury,CT

I noticed that the thermocube actually cut in and out durimg the friid night,, truning the c9 lights on an off,meaning that the Trachycarpus spear stayed between 35F and 45F, so hopefully that helped the palm, Got down to 6F last night.

I hope the foliage is OK but may be fried;

A few years ago, the palm came back from complete defoliation and look at it now

 

b well,

DrZnaturally