Triple Oaks Nursery User Forum: Re: Palms For Central NJ

Philadelphia Area Nursery - Triple Oaks Nursery

Re: Palms For Central NJ

Posted by Ron (DE Zone 7a) on April 7, 2009, 23:21:47, in reply to "Palms For Central NJ"

Mike,

Edison is probably considered Zone 6b although I bet it often has 7a winters, because of the urban "heat island" effect.

As you probably know, the USDA Hardiness Zones are based on the average lowest temperature for the year. In Zone 6b, the average lowest winter temperature is 0'F to -5'F. In 7a, it's +5'F to 0'F.

Here is a Hardiness Zone Map I found of New Jersey. Pink is Zone 7a and Yellow is Zone 6b - so you can see that Edison is considered 6b:

The 2 easiest palms in Zones 6b and 7a are the Needle Palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix) and the Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor). Both of these are shrubby palms and require only minimal protection in Zone 6b, once established - and they probably could be considered hardy in Zone 7a without protection, once established and if well-sited. One variety of Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor) from McCurtain County, Oklahoma (called "McCurtain" in horticulture) seems to be especially hardy. A larger variety, that sometimes forms a small trunk is Sabal louisiana, which may or may not really be a separate species. I don't think Louisianas are any hardier than an average Sabal minor and may even be slightly less hardy - but they do seem to grow faster.

The hardiest trunking palm in our area is the Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) and related Trachycarpus species (maybe someone else can chime in about which species is the hardiest). Generally speaking, Trachycarpus require some winter protection more or less every year to survive longterm in Zones 6b and 7a. There are a few exceptions, planted in ideal micro-climates, but you should not plant this palm in Zone 7a - or especially 6b - without assuming you need to protect it.

I believe the Triple Oaks Nursery sells all of these species, including many regional variations.

Message Thread:

Palms For Central NJ - Mike C April 7, 2009, 21:56:54
- Re: Palms For Central NJ - Ron (DE Zone 7a) April 7, 2009, 23:21:47
  - Re: Palms For Central NJ - Mike C April 8, 2009, 0:48:38
    - Re: Palms For Central NJ - Joe K April 8, 2009, 7:10:40
  - Re: Palms For Central NJ - Jim, Wilmington, DE, 7a April 8, 2009, 10:52:12
    - Jersey's 7b coast can be misleading for palm growers - Ron (DE Zone 7a) April 8, 2009, 15:13:12
      - Re: Jersey's 7b coast can be misleading for palm growers - Jim, Wilmington, DE, 7a April 8, 2009, 15:28:07
        
        Re: Jersey's 7b coast can be misleading for palm growers - Ron (DE Zone 7a) April 8, 2009, 16:07:58
        
        Figs - Jim, Wilmington, DE, 7a April 9, 2009, 8:13:32
        
        Re: Figs - Ron (DE Zone 7a) April 9, 2009, 16:59:43
        
        Re: Figs - Jim, Wilmington, DE, 7a April 10, 2009, 12:05:17
- Re: Palms For Central NJ - Terry 6b/7a NJ April 10, 2009, 4:42:17
  - Re: Palms For Central NJ - Mike C April 10, 2009, 21:17:56
- Re: Palms For Central NJ - Terry 6b/7a NJ April 15, 2009, 4:34:43
  - Re: Palms For Central NJ - Mike C May 2, 2009, 14:09:37
    - Re: Palms For Central NJ - Terry 6b/7a NJ May 3, 2009, 7:24:28
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