Trachycarpus After -2*F Waco, Texas

[Collectorpalms]

Initially thought 3/5 were dead but after a very close inspection the one with total crown collapse had a tiny leaf!

Once again the best one was up against the building out of direct wind.

Edited April 29, 2021 by Collectorpalms

[UK_Palms]

Holy crap, they look terrible. I have never seen Trachy's in that kind of state, certainly not over here in the UK anyway. At least they are pushing out some new growth though. They will probably look as if nothing happened come August. 

This really makes me question the claims coming out of eastern Europe, about Fortunei surviving -20F there in places like Bulgaria. Considering-2F does this to them, plus Texas will see much better warm-up in the days, weeks and months following a freeze. So I'm thinking the -20F claims are BS. 

[Collectorpalms]

The more established taller ones did better. But even the small one in one of two triplet plantings may be dead. Somehow the tall Trachycarpus had a better survival than ones under 2 meters 6 ( 6 feet of clear trunk) 

Two Washingtonia Filifera survived and they are not even up against a hotel! 

All Sagos dead.

Some die back on Crape Myrtles.

The dwarf Magnolia also was killed or had severe damage. 

[Collectorpalms]

Mediterranean all dead even up against building. 
More Trachycarpus. Just above 25% fatality 

Edited April 29, 2021 by Collectorpalms

[Sabal_Louisiana]

19 minutes ago, UK_Palms said:

Holy crap, they look terrible. I have never seen Trachy's in that kind of state, certainly not over here in the UK anyway. At least they are pushing out some new growth though. They will probably look as if nothing happened come August. 

This really makes me question the claims coming out of eastern Europe, about Fortunei surviving -20F there in places like Bulgaria. Considering-2F does this to them, plus Texas will see much better warm-up in the days, weeks and months following a freeze. So I'm thinking the -20F claims are BS. 

From what I understand, it wasn't Trachycarpus fortunei that allegedly survived the extreme cold in Plovdiv. It was Trachycarpus takil.  Perhaps some of our readers can shed light on this.

Refer to Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trachycarpus_takil and Kiril Donov's webpages http://www.polarpalm.net/en/plov.html for further info. 

Edited April 29, 2021 by Sabal_Louisiana
typo

[amh]

Basically the same in my area, which was below 0 as well. The Trachycarpus that were near buildings survived and the Mediterraneans died, I think one may be returning from the base. I've seen one sago flushing, but it was under canopy. The various Washingtonias are likely dead as are the Sabal mexicanas. Some pool adjacent palms appear to have survived due to their micro-climates. A near total loss.

[Sabal_Louisiana]

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin-to-start-cutting-down-trees-that-died-during-winter-storm/

Tragic.

About the only good thing in all of this is that a bunch of Chinese tallow trees got hit hard. Of course, they'll be back but at least they're gone for the time being.

[Jcalvin]

Wow. That's a disheartening sight for a palm enthusiast.

Where at in Texas was this?

[amh]

30 minutes ago, Sabal_Louisiana said:

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin-to-start-cutting-down-trees-that-died-during-winter-storm/

Tragic.

About the only good thing in all of this is that a bunch of Chinese tallow trees got hit hard. Of course, they'll be back but at least they're gone for the time being.

I was in the Kerrville area a few weeks ago and the Chinese tallow trees were wiped out, even the really, really big ones.

[amh]

20 minutes ago, Jcalvin said:

Wow. That's a disheartening sight for a palm enthusiast.

Where at in Texas was this?

Waco is between Austin and Dallas on I35 and I am in western Comal county just north of Bexar county.

[PalmatierMeg]

1 hour ago, UK_Palms said:

Holy crap, they look terrible. I have never seen Trachy's in that kind of state, certainly not over here in the UK anyway. At least they are pushing out some new growth though. They will probably look as if nothing happened come August. 

This really makes me question the claims coming out of eastern Europe, about Fortunei surviving -20F there in places like Bulgaria. Considering-2F does this to them, plus Texas will see much better warm-up in the days, weeks and months following a freeze. So I'm thinking the -20F claims are BS. 

I think a lot of people can't distinguish between Fahrenheit and Celsius - schools in the US likely don't teach that sort of stuff anymore. All it would take is a few people calling -20C as Fahrenheit and the rumors are off and running. I doubt there is one palm on the planet that can survive -20F.

[PalmatierMeg]

I hope all those Trachies can produce enough leaves before they run out of stored energy and nutrients. Back in 2010 I had several palms send up a leaf or move a spear before they ultimately collapsed and died. They just didn't have enough left to make it.

[Collectorpalms]

26 minutes ago, PalmatierMeg said:

I hope all those Trachies can produce enough leaves before they run out of stored energy and nutrients. Back in 2010 I had several palms send up a leaf or move a spear before they ultimately collapsed and died. They just didn't have enough left to make it.

Trachycapus need to really grow between now and July 4, after that it’s really too hot over 100 daily here, so they have to wait till fall and rain return. Same with the very rare and few between pure Jubaea. 

[Collectorpalms]

1 hour ago, Sabal_Louisiana said:

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin-to-start-cutting-down-trees-that-died-during-winter-storm/

Tragic.

About the only good thing in all of this is that a bunch of Chinese tallow trees got hit hard. Of course, they'll be back but at least they're gone for the time being.

Well I am going to be the first to get a notice. But I am not giving up until Memorial Day minimum. Things are still trying their their little hearts out... but even if 90 percent looking dead, there is still live ones and palm people know more than “city officials” ... they will just have to remove them or fine me.

[amh]

40 minutes ago, Collectorpalms said:

Well I am going to be the first to get a notice. But I am not giving up until Memorial Day minimum. Things are still trying their their little hearts out... but even if 90 percent looking dead, there is still live ones and palm people know more than “city officials” ... they will just have to remove them or fine me.

This weeks rain chances will probably help.