I wondered if that would work, Ricky. Last week I had my husband cut off one of the stems that was getting too close to the crepe myrtle and OMG! he laid right over a fire ant nest. Now he has blisters over both arms. They are healing slowly. Just wait until I tell him I want him to cut off all the rest of the stems. We'll be more careful and dig around a bit to see if there are ants present before attempting any more pruning. Marcia

I hear you Jack. I consider moving one day but wifey needs to be more convinced. Its too far from family. What region are you located for zone 7a. There a cold and warm 7A locations. I have seen people on this site thinking palms in our zone can stand on their own, and yes some winters they can make it but eventually die from cold if not protected for years. I have seen where just keeping a palm dry and protected from cold winds in our zone adds another zone. Add lites and get another zone. Plant against a home adds a half of zone. There's lots of ways of doing it. That saw palm would need protection every winter. Its ez to do. place a container over it with bricks on top and remove on winter days that are sunny and warm.

Both green and blue saw palmettos are for sale at native nurseries in my area (gulf coast), so that may be another option. I transplanted 8 mature (green) saw palmettos last year. Only half survived, however it's possible more would have survived with better care.

Thanks! I took it out back and pulled it all out before Hurricane Sandy comes. The Cyperus may grow back - heard those sedges are pretty resilient but the plant looks way happier...