Question
Hi,

although I wrapped my tree ferns up in hessian during last winter I think the frost still got to them, worse still possibly killed them as the crowns secreted a black substance which has gone totally hard. (This also happened to my Rostrata)  My question is, can I cut the top section off and will it regenerate?

I am gutted as this has happened to three ferns in total.

Many thanks

Tony

Answer
If the roots are still viable, then they may send up new growth, but it depends if the freeze was a surface freeze only or it compromised the roots also; cut it back to soil level  and wait and cross your fingers. You may want to lift the fern and repot it in a container with new potting mix.