Question
I live in Livingston Texas, which is 1 hour to the North from Houston.  I have a Sego Palm that is approximate. 5 feet high.  I have had it for four years.  Recently we had some hard freezes.  Most of the top limbs are brown.  There is some spotty green on them.  The lower limbs are pretty green with some yellowing.  Will this Sego survive?  Is there any cutting or pruning I need to do?  Will the yellow limbs just fall off???  Thanks

Answer
Hello Jennifer

I'm guessing that you mean 'sago' palm?  If you do then here's the science!  This plant isn't a palm at all really - it's a Cycas, one of the  oldest plant species on earth!

I'm afraid you may have a problem.  Cycas will tolerate temperatures down to just about freezing for short periods, if they are given protection (not something you'd normally have to think about in your area).  As you say that you've had hard freezes and that most of the top limbs (fronds?) are brown, I'd say that they are dead and they wont just drop off - they'll rot and could affect the rest of the plant.

There may be a chance for your sago palm though, as some of the lower fronds are still green.  So, I think that you could take a chance and remove the dead growth at the top, and remove any of the lower fronds that are showing yellowing - and then keep your fingers crossed.

I'm sorry that I can't give you any definite 'do this, do that' instructions, but this is an unusual situation for this plant to be in - I do hope you can save it.

Gill