Winterizing a Windmill Palm in the PNW

[WcColton]

I have a 15 ft Windmill that I transplanted in September here in the PNW - Zone 8b. I wrapped it in Christmas lights and had a tree service tie up its fronds to protect it from the weight of the snow in the forecast. My question is, the highs call for 38 and the lows 25. I know Windmills are hardy down to 5-10 degrees and these aren’t extreme temps, but considering its a transplant, should I take extra precautions and wrap it in burlap or will the Christmas lights do?

Edited December 27, 2021 by WcColton

[NWpalms@206]

41 minutes ago, WcColton said:

I have a 15 ft Windmill that I transplanted in September here in the PNW - Zone 8b. I wrapped it in Christmas lights and had a tree service tie up its fronds to protect it from the weight of the snow in the forecast. My question is, the highs call for 38 and the lows 25. I know Windmills are hardy down to 5-10 degrees and these aren’t extreme temps, but considering its a transplant, should I take extra precautions and wrap it in burlap or will the Christmas lights do?

I put 2 of these in the ground just mid November in raised beds with about 3ft either side of soil for now until spring.  One was dug out of the ground had roots cut, one bought at palm nursery and was in 24” box so roots just loosened. They’re solid 5 ft of trunk maybe 8-9ft overall. As you can see I only have Christmas lights on mine no other protection. I don’t know if this is a problem or not but I’ll find out. Now they’re under a few inches of snow at 23f her on Vashon, WA 8b. I gave them a good dose of superthrive and 6-4-4 fert when planted and  We had really mild (wet) up until this cold event. So I think they’ll be ok. But don’t quote me! This is my first year palm collecting I’m a huge experiment, but with close to 40 palms of all kinds and many hybrids, I should have some good info in a few years! 

[Allen]

16 hours ago, WcColton said:

I have a 15 ft Windmill that I transplanted in September here in the PNW - Zone 8b. I wrapped it in Christmas lights and had a tree service tie up its fronds to protect it from the weight of the snow in the forecast. My question is, the highs call for 38 and the lows 25. I know Windmills are hardy down to 5-10 degrees and these aren’t extreme temps, but considering its a transplant, should I take extra precautions and wrap it in burlap or will the Christmas lights do?

You would have probably been fine not doing anything.  The palm can take snow.  If you want to be extra cautious tuck a bunch of incandescent mini lights into the crown area and run when freezing could occur in the crown of the palm.  temps of 25F wont hut anything.

 

 

[maskedmole]

On 12/27/2021 at 4:45 PM, WcColton said:

I have a 15 ft Windmill that I transplanted in September here in the PNW - Zone 8b. I wrapped it in Christmas lights and had a tree service tie up its fronds to protect it from the weight of the snow in the forecast. My question is, the highs call for 38 and the lows 25. I know Windmills are hardy down to 5-10 degrees and these aren’t extreme temps, but considering its a transplant, should I take extra precautions and wrap it in burlap or will the Christmas lights do?

No it will be fine. Those temps, even for a transplanted trachy, are nothing.  As long as the temperature warms up relatively quickly, it should be fine. I would probably protect it if the temperatures stayed like that for a week or so though. But if it warms back in in a day or two, it should be fine. I am in zone 7a. (some maps say 6b but we are really 7a in my opinion). We had a few cold days like that and none of my trachy's even noticed, even my recently transplanted one, like yours. I even have a couple baby seedling trachycarpus just covered up with some leaves and they didn't mind. If the temperature gets below 20 degrees, I usually always throw in some type of protection though like a blanket and maybe a tote on top if if is icy/rainy/snowy.  

Edited December 29, 2021 by maskedmole