Question
Nick, we had a foxtail palm planted a few weeks ago.  The following weekend Central Florida experienced some unusual low temperatures (around 32 for a couple of hours with winds).  We tried to wrap a frost blanket around the trunk, but it came halfway off during the night.  The fronds are now either mostly purplish brown or half-way brown.  Only one frond seems to be mostly green, and the core (new shoot)seems to be OK, although a little brown along the edge.  THe trunk does not seem damaged, but  the palm is not very attractive to look at now.  How do I know if it is salvageable, and if so, what should be done to it?  It is about 12 feet tall or so.  Thank you so much in advance!

Answer
Hi Ailin, it sounds like superficial damage, (from what you describe); if the immerging frond is healthy looking you should be ok. Don't cut back anything, foxtails shed their own fronds (nice trait about them!) The fact that its a newly planted palm worries me somewhat, for they are stressed even in perfect conditions when first planted, hence the watering everyday for several weeks; Bottom line is let nature take its course and be "patient", often times it can take up to a month for the jury to come in on winter stressed palms (or plants for that matter); watch that center frond, thats where the yay or nay will come from. good luck and I'm always here for your tropical plant problems or questions....regards Nick:)