Butia After Severe Freeze

[Collectorpalms]

Anyone having any luck with pure Butia in central Texas? Initially several of the largest in the area looked like they had some green in the center. However, now more than a month later they look worse. These experience around 5F. I must have had too much faith in their cold hardiness?

Should they be trunk cut now that the green is fading? I am asking for someone who has 7 nice ones that is hesitating. Copper fungicide applied and last checked a couple weeks and only 1 spear pulled then.

Edited April 12, 2021 by Collectorpalms

[Collectorpalms]

[Fusca]

4 hours ago, Collectorpalms said:

Anyone having any luck with pure Butia

I'm not exactly Central Texas but close enough.  I have 3 Butia planted and none received any protection.  2 are bluer odoratas in my backyard and a green odorata in my side yard which has more alkaline soil.  Needless to say the green one was not looking great before February but somehow got by with minimal leaf damage and some damage to newest spear which has remained firm.  My largest blue one turned almost completely brown except for some green on the newest spear.  It's been pushing more and more new growth.  My smaller blue one that I grew from seed had spear pull right away, but newer leaves retained blue-green while older leaves turned brown.  Treated with copper fungicide and no movement at all after 7 weeks.  I finally cut it last week and it showed movement after only one day.  I think this photo was taken 3 or 4 days after the cut and the growth shows shape of a pinnate leaf.  Weeds are happily growing as well.  But I'd think that cutting them is the way to go especially any that have had spear pull based on my experience and conversations with Joseph.

[atlamtapalms]

I would cut the dead fronds and trunk cut. I’m 2 for 2 on trunk cutting. I don’t believe in letting spears rot in place after an extreme event. Only the strongest and longest will keep the bugs and rot deep inside from seeping to the meristem. Better than hoping and praying and wishing. If they  are dead on a trunk cut then better to replace now than wait 1 or 2 years for nothing to happen. Always another Butia around.

Edited April 13, 2021 by atlamtapalms

[Collectorpalms]

Butia Eriospatha I planted At brother In Hutto is alive and IS the hardiest Butia. After close to 1F