Question
I am located in NE Alabama and I would like to know when is the best time to cut back banana trees.  These are not grown to bear fruit, but for shading the patio in the summer.  Also, should I be watching the color of the stalk.  The tempature dropped to 20 last night and the leaves are mostly whethered but the stalks are still solid.

Answer
Hi Terri, the 20 degree temp assuredly did in the crown, and it will begin to turn brown and wither, so go ahead and cut the crowns of the Bananas back to soil level and then mulch the corm over so it doesnt perish during the winter, the corm is the underground root system that will send up new growth when the warmer weather comes. Nick