Sabal Palm. This plant is over 4 years old. 2nd year in the ground. It experienced complete defoliation this past winter. The leaf protection used blew away! It did NOT experience spear pull and is growing back.

Trachycarpus Fortunei On the Outer Banks, North Carolina

I went to the Outer Banks of North Carolina in June, 2009. Along the way I noticed this Trachycarpus Fortunei growing by a gas station that I stopped at.

There were beautiful Trachycarpus Fortunei, Butia capitata, Sabal Minor growing all over the place. There were a large number of Sabal Palms growing also...but they looked highly damaged by the wind and cold of winter.

I found a whole stalk of seeds attached to one Trachycarpus Fortunei and claimed it as my own. There were several hundred seeds on it. I soaked and cleaned the fruit off of each seed. Then I planted about half of the seeds in blue plastic storage bins. To prepare the bins I drilled several small drainage holes in the bottom of each tub and filled them about 1/2 full of potting soil. The seeds have since sprouted and are doing well. I have the bin covers on them right now as they are living outside...but the seedlings are all looking healthy. I'll get some pictures of them and post them soon. -PolarPalm