Palm Trees

Hi Everyone,

I've just been donated two beautiful palm trees which I have planted in my garden. Can you please advise how I should look after them during the winter months?

 

Can you tell us what kind of palm they are, and what kind of garden you've got? Is it sunny/shady/exposed/sheltered etc. Maybe some pics would help.

 

Hi, Sash! If you're not sure what palms they are, have a look at these sites - they might help. Likeliest one would be the Trachycarpus fortunei, (Chusan palm), I think.

http://www.architecturalplants.com/test.plants.html?alpha=t

and
http://www.thepalmcentre.co.uk/palms.htm

 

Hi all,
Ive checked the websites suggested and can't seem to find the plants i have, they have typical palm stems with straight sharp pointed slim leaves (growing directly from stem). I shall keep scanning. I was going to wrap them in bubble wrap just in case is this ok?

 

Could be a Phoenix canariensis ?

http://www.mulu.co.uk/image_popup.php?image_id=1027

Also have a look through these mate.

http://www.mulu.co.uk/plant_list.php?id=5

BM :D

 

Many thanks i think i might post a picture!

 

It couldn't be a mature cordyline could it?
http://images.google.co.uk/images?q=cordyline+australis&hl=en-GB&sourceid=gd&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2006-49,GGLD:en-GB&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

If you have fleece, Sash, that would be better - it might well be wise to have some ready in case frost is forecast, since they're presumably young trees? - but in London, I'd have thought you'd be reasonably ok with it in future, whatever it is! Unless it's a parlour palm, of course.... but that's unlikely! (They have soft leaves, not hard stiff ones, like the phoenix palm that BM mentioned. http://www.houseofplants.co.uk/Chamaedoreaelegans.htm )

 

They probably are Canary Island Date Palms (CIDP'S). More likely to be given in pairs. Mine has never been covered with anything although it may be a slightly milder here. Central London has a micro climate lifting the night temps so I wouldn't be too concerned unless they are very small. As mentioned above fleece yes, bubble wrap, no.

 

Think a pic might go a long way to resolving this issue Sash! :confused:

 

if they have sharp, strap-like leavs then it is likely that they are either Cordylines or Yuccas. If that is the case all you need to do to protect them from frost is to draw the leaves together and tie them, this prevents frost from entering the crown and killing it. There is no need to rush right out snd do but if a frost is forecast then it may be prudent to do it.David