Posted by alex_7b on September 8, 2011, 6:31 pm, in reply to "Long term Hardy Sabal palmetto trees in zone 7a or at the 7a/7b line..."
76.17.100.38

Josh, I can speak only for my observations here in Gwinnett county, GA. After the past two winters, the resulting palmetto populations have been reduced to about 30% or so of those we had in 2009. Randy's Nursery had very few for sale this past season. A house about 1/2 mile from him had 5 or 6 in a row planted 3 years back. Only 2 survived the winter of 2009-2010 when it snowed 5 times. My yard which has a lot of winter shade, lost 4 of 6 the same winter. the remaining two get morning sun. The 40-yr old palmetto belonging to Howard Stancliff in Lilburn, looks OK. It is on the crest of a hill facing east. More than anything, I believe that these palms need some type of heat to their crowns to mitigate damage. Inside the city they benefit from the heat island. Out here, it's either an east exposure or some artificial help.