GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post - Palm tree has become wobbly at base of trunk

Jeff Layman[_2_] · 25-04-2018, 07:25 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening

On 25/04/18 13:33, wrote:
On Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at 10:09:27 PM UTC+1, Jeff Layman wrote:

Are you in the UK? If so, where?

There is only one palm which is more-or-less hardy in the UK, and that
is the Chusan palm - Trachycarpus fortunei. It is unlikely that recent
cold weather would damage it, and at only 6 ft tall, very unlikely that
wind would move it.

Is it by any chance a cordyline (often referred to as "Cabbage Palms")?
The usual one growing in the UK is Cordyline australis, and that is not
as hardy as a Chusan palm, but under most circumstances is hardy enough
anywhere south of the north of England or anywhere on the west coast.

But is there any possibility that it got its roots soaked for some time
in the recent heavy rain? If so, they could have rotted and it is now
not stable. I suppose that /could/ happen to a Chusan palm too, but I
have never heard of it.

If the roots of a cordyline have rotted, it is possible to cut it off
above the rotten part, and reroot the upper section. It will take some
time to root, but it can be done.

--

Jeff

Hi Jeff, No it is not a cordyline or a Trachycarpus fortunei, it is the other type of palm that thrives here on the south coast of England. They are often called Phoenix palms or Canary Isle palms (with a short trunk).

Well, if it's Phoenix canariensis, it is quite possible that the severe
and frequent frosts last winter have unfortunately finished it off. The
RHS describes its hardiness as "H2 - Tolerant of low temperatures, but
not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)".

The problem with plants like P. canariensis is that they appear to be
growing happily for many years simply because they haven't been exposed
to the level of cold which kills them. Then we get that odd, severe
winter which pushes them beyond their limits to cope. Of course, you may
be in a favoured location where the microclimate allows the plant to
survive, but the chance is low. Whatever, I'd support it with some
struts and wait for several months just to see if it pulls through.

--

Jeff