Question
Hi,
I have 2  triple pygmy date palms in my back yard.  They both have two (of the 3) trunks that will not grow palms.  I live near Tampa and we add a couple of bad freezes this past winter and I'm pretty sure this is due to the freeze.  There is one trunk on both that looks great.  What can I do about the two trunks that appear to be dead?

Answer
Lisa, that often happens when a triple or double Pygmy Date stress for whatever reason, this one being a cold snap; the weakest one (or two in your case) fall by the weigh side and the strongest survives. If there is no crown at all, meaning no fronds at the top whatsoever, then it is in fact a dead trunk and needs to be cut off at the base. This action will not effect the healthy one; just make certain that there is no growth on the top at all though, before taking this action. Nick