Palms in Carlsbad NM

[KPoff]

I was in Carlsbad for work today and I haven’t been here for 10 years probably and the last time was to go see the caverns and watch the bats fly. I didn’t pay attention to the palms then but I was blown away by the amount of large filifera growing here. There were some large chamaerops. I also saw a few windmills, but I didn’t see any sabals surprisingly. A lot in these pictures took some good winter damage but were green and growing out. Carlsbad is 7a/7b and after looking at their temperatures it gets to 0-5 F at least once every winter and yet these endure. Maybe it’s the 3500’ elevation sun and dry winters? I don’t know but I was impressed and thought I should share with palm lovers. The pics I took are only just a few. They are all over town!

[NC_Palms]

I have heard of W. filfiera surviving in zone 7 in dry climates. But seeing Chamaerops there is kinda shocking. Maybe it’s the same case with them in dry climates.

I wonder if they get damaged like this every year thought. Or if this past winter was a bit colder than normal.

 

[SeanK]

The Mediterranean Fans look amazing. I wonder if they lost spears. Even with a low of 5°F, likely the afternoons are above freezing.

[KPoff]

34 minutes ago, KPoff said:

I was in Carlsbad for work today and I haven’t been here for 10 years probably and the last time was to go see the caverns and watch the bats fly. I didn’t pay attention to the palms then but I was blown away by the amount of large filifera growing here. There were some large chamaerops. I also saw a few windmills, but I didn’t see any sabals surprisingly. A lot in these pictures took some good winter damage but were green and growing out. Carlsbad is 7a/7b and after looking at their temperatures it gets to 0-5 F at least once every winter and yet these endure. Maybe it’s the 3500’ elevation sun and dry winters? I don’t know but I was impressed and thought I should share with palm lovers. The pics I took are only just a few. They are all over town!

I realized Carlsbad is 8A not 7A/B. My bad.

[SailorBold]

Thanks for sharing.. appreciate that. I haven't looked at the weather data.. but most of new mexico if not all got clipped by the arctic blast..at least for 1 night..

[NMPalmjunky]

On 4/22/2025 at 8:32 PM, SeanK said:

The Mediterranean Fans look amazing. I wonder if they lost spears. Even with a low of 5°F, likely the afternoons are above freezing.

No spears lost on mine outside of ABQ, but it certainly looked better before this winter. I believe that the 5 degree morning turned into a 40 degree day with sunshine in my area.. 

[Las Palmas Norte]

⇪ WOW! That's a fast recovery ⇪ @NMPalmjunky

[SeanK]

3 hours ago, Las Palmas Norte said:

⇪ WOW! That's a fast recovery ⇪ @NMPalmjunky

I think the before/after pix are after/before.

[Las Palmas Norte]

4 hours ago, SeanK said:

I think the before/after pix are after/before.

OK. Reverse order images.