first thing you need to do is take your pruners (the large loppers you cut
branches with) dip them in a bleach solution and cut the thick stem about
two inches below where the ponytail was. It sounds like the ponytail part
might have succumbed to rot or mealies. Dab the cut spot with rubbing
alcohol and water the trunk a bit and place it in a south window for now.
Once it dries well, new shoots should start growing from near the severed
area. If not, feel the "foot" or trunk and see if it feels too soft and
yielding. Kinda like the skin of a melon. If you have no sign of growth in
the next six weeks, but the trunk still is firm, hang on until spring and
you can put it outside and possibly it will sprout replacement leaves. One
of the worst enemies of these palms is mealy bugs. they get down in the
folds of all those leaves and chew until they all dissattach. (Lowe's might
have replacement plants now for $5.98 for a 2 gallon pot, might give it a
check, we have that size at our store now for those prices. A new shipment
of tropicals came in and they're going for 3@ $9.99 and that's gallon pots!
Let me know how it goes when you prune it back and if it finally sprouts new
leaves.

madgardener whose had the same problems with this palm herself
"TOM KAN PA" wrote in message
...
Last summer, we had a ponytail/elephant foot palm on the deck. Someone or
something pulled the top out of it. The top was laying on the deck. Now
the
plant is inside the house, and not doing too good.
There is no new growth coming out of the top, and the growth that is there
is
not looking good.
The other one that suffered no damage outside is doing great!
Is there anything that can be done for the sick one, or should it be
pitched?