My tree fern has got two old trunks

Hello team

When we bought a 10 years old tree fern in 2020, during the following winter, the tree fern died during the April frosts in 2021. It has got two old trunks of 10 cm in height. The same year came a new trunk out which has survived so far. All trunks are side by side.
Question, do I leave the both old trunks or should I cut them down? Since it's growing, it would make the wrapping over winter easier.
However, my feeling tells me leave it as it is.

Please note that I might eventually not be able to reply immediately to due to illness. There might be days in between.

Many thanks in advance.

 

Sorry to hear you are unwell @simone_in_wiltshire. I hope you recover soon and are able to return with your regular postings and photos. A photo of your tree fern would certainly help. I'm intrigued! Take care.

 

Yes, JWK, unfortunately, they grow 1 cm per year or a foot in 30 years.
@Plantminded I will take a picture tomorrow when it’s brighter.

 

Get well soon @simone_in_wiltshire

 

Hope you feel better soon, @simone_in_wiltshire.

 

@JWK and @Plantminded

Having a closer look, it's clear that I will leave it as it is. My idea was to free the tree fern from the barrel pot and to put a wooden box around. I wanted to do this in Autumn, but after I noticed the roots made their way into the soil, I wanted to give me more time to think about it, and thought I may start this soon. It will be difficult to get rid of the barrel pot.
I wonder if I carefully take out the roots and then turn the pot to the side the free the tree fern, if the tree fern will survive.

 

I've seen twin trunk tree ferns quite a few times, so I don't think it's abnormal. I don't know anything about how they form, I'd just assumed it was two seedlings growing together but perhaps it was a reaction to the main trunk being cut back. If they have two growing heads then I would definitely just leave it alone.

Hope you feel better soon.

 

We posted at the same time and seeing the pictures, it looks like one side has died off and it's regrown from lower down. If that is the case then again I'd leave it as the old trunk will help protect it and keep the growing part moist.

 

Yes, @Thevictorian The dead side with twin trunks died in April 2021 when frost hit almost all the time and the same year developed the still living trunk. That's why I wanted to do the change now rather than leaving it in this poor stage.

 

I think the viable crown would look and develop better without the dead crown/s attached @simone_in_wiltshire. The tree will then develop its upright architectural form, have more access to light and be less likely to be affected by any pests or disease in the rotting crowns. Sorry to differ from your own and others' opinions . I wouldn't be concerned about cutting off the dead crowns or disturbing any roots. It always amazes me how well these plants cope with being harvested, cut into logs, transported long distances and then grown in a temperate and changeable climate.

 

Thanks a lot @Plantminded. I will do what you suggest

PS: we have a British grown one from Hilliers in 2020.

 

Good luck @simone_in_wiltshire . My tree fern came from Tasmania in 2021 via the Suez Canal where it was delayed due to that blockage by a container ship .