Question
Thank you so much for your help.  To clarify, are you saying to cut the leaves themselves at the bottom of the brown leaf or cut the stalk itself at the bottom of where the brown leaves start?  Unfortunately, all the leaves (even the newer ones coming out) are brown & split from the cold.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but new shoots at the roots would make the plants fuller, right?  That would be good!
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-----Question-----
We have about 6 Giant Bird of Paradise plants around our pool in the backyard that are reaching 5' to 10' tall.  Unfortunately, we have just went through a bad freeze spell here in southern California and every leaf has turned brown from the cold.  We usually just cut the bad leaves off and it continues to grow from that point?  However, if we do that this time there won't be any leaves left on the stalk.  Is it possible to cut the stalk at a certain height lower and will it continue to grow from there?  I'm afraid we might kill them doing that.
Please advise.  Thanks
-----Answer-----
Sandy,

I would wait 2-4 weeks and it will be more obvious what is dead and what is still alive. Cut them off at the bottom of the brown. The leaves may collapse. There is a good chance that the plants will send out new shoots from the roots. If at all possible move the plants into a garage or do something to protect them such as wrapping blankets around them since it sounds like it is going to freeze again tonight. I'm in northeast Indiana and it is 27 degrees here right now and going lower tonight but we expect it here. Good luck.

Darlene

Answer
Sandy,

I am saying wait awhile, 2-4 weeks, then cut back to the line between dead or alive. It should be obviolus at that time. You may only be cuttig a few leaves off or you may be cutting it down to the soil line. If several new shoots come out from the roots then yes that will make the plants fuller. Most plants struggle to live through situations like this and they will try at all costs to live. Let me kn ow in a month how it is doing. Good luck.

Darlene