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Today, it's the size of those in your photos.
It suffered irreversible spear loss of its main "trunk" a good few years back, but the many suckers (or pups) that surrounded the central trunk kept on trucking to this day.
All in all, Needles are winners for this region, although no one plants them here.
Lastly, I've found by experiment that Needles do better planted on the north side of a building rather than on the south side. It's counterintuitive, I know. But it's the truth. My southern exposure Needle grows slowly (it's half the size of my north facing, same aged Needle) and bronzes moderately in winter winds and sun unless wrapped. The north facing Needle does not bronze even a little bit. Has to be the lack of winter sun.
For east coastal Zone 7a, Needles are the only palm that's 90% good to go. Next, I would say Sabal Birmingham. Yes, even over Sabal Minor. My Birmy is a TROOPER. But grows painfully slow. Next, Sabal Minor 'McCurtain.' Then Sabal Minor 'Hatteras'. Next, a bit of a surprise: Sabal Palmetto. Then Trachycarpus Nainital.
And this is actually a better picture:
Zone 7a
R. Hystrix
S. 'Birmingham'
Zone 7b
Sabal Minor
Sabal Palmetto
Trachycarpus
Can you grow the 7b plants in 7a? Sure. But ALL 3 of the 7b's get lit up every other winter. To the point that half the time, you've got a recovering palm on your hands, which kind of defeats the purpose of having them.
Butias, Serenoa and Chamaerops are 8a palms in my book. Although Med Fans, due to their very compact size, lend themselves well to cold protection schemes in zones colder than 8a.
Jim, Wilmington, DE, 7a
Last 30 Years Avg. Winter Low: 7.50F
Last 20 Years Avg. Winter Low: 8.35F
Last 10 Years Avg. Winter Low: 8.40F
Favorite Palms: Species: Phoenix Canariensis / Genus: Sabal
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