All of those should do okay in zone 8a or 8b. You can also go to junglemusic.net and they have a cold hardy section of palms that tells you which palms can get that cold. I think you'll find out most all palms can take Texas heat, just not the cold. What part of Texas you in?

Richard

I am in Red Oak - just south of the Dallas area. I ahve a little warm pocket right before the hills south of me that get much colder then I do. On some maps a little finger of 8b gets over here and on others it does not so I claim it! I love that web site - but I have grown to not trust websites over the last few years in favor of trusting folks on here. Folks on here know more - and they answer better and can be trusted... just love this place!

There is actually quite a few of these palms in the dallas area .

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.sunpalmtrees.com/Cold-Hardy-Palm-Trees.htm

I would only question the Chinese Fan in your area. Likely it will sustain damage, but will come back. Won't look so hot for a while. Perhaps you'll need to protect it. It is grown in lower 8b and 9a (Houston and probably San Antonio). Not sure if it grows in Austin.

Yeah, skip the Chinese.....mine look awfull almost all year and the growth rate is soooooo slow due to the intense damage each year. I grow all the ones you mention w/out problems. Don't forget the S. Palmetto! Dallas is filled with them and they are much much better than, say Mexicans or Filliferas (I never see damage on my Sabals). With the Wasingtonias, I always figure that they will get the fool burned out of them each winter but since they re-grow their crowns so fast, they are valuable in my landscape + the fact they trunk so fast inspite of damage.
My S. Mexicana is 9 years old and BARELY starting a trunk- keep that in mind. That is typical with all Sabals but even so, the big mass of leaves looks great- even more so when grown in partial shade, very tropical.
As for T. Latisectus....well, if I were you, worry about trying to find that one later. Not easy and rather big bucks for one of any size. Go with T. Fortunii for now. Much easier to get and MUCH cheaper and frankly, I think a bit more pretty. BTW...if you grow a Windmill in a morning sun only situation and with plenty of water they grow FAST! Often people say they are slow. A good example...I was at a trade show in Houston in 2000- I was givin a 4 inch pot with a little Windmill in it as a gift from a grower. There is a pic of me, laying on the beach in Galveston with that tiny thing, all covered in salt spray, perhaps 3-4 inches tall. Today, I can walk UNDER the crown of that tree and there are huge spray of flowers right now comming out in all directons from it! I happened to plant it next to my little goldfish pond. I am always scooping out water and dumping it on the root zone of that palm all summer in order to keep the water fresh for the fish.
Be hitting your Lowes, K-Marts ect....lots of Washies and Trachys to be had at really good prices in 3-5 gal pots. Also, do not be afraid to start yours from seed! In the winter (early) start watching the palms in your area...tons of seed and easy to start. I have hundreds of palms on my property- most from seed from local trees. BTW...all the palms you mention can be found easily in Dallas...except Latisectus. Don't waste your time w/online stuff. I know this because I work for a huge nursery that supplies them to the area. And no, you do not need to go to an expensive Garden center...hit any Lowes, if they are not in stock, speak to the live nursery specialist, he or she can order them for you and they will be in the following week. Some stuff, like C. Humilis and Butias, are getting in short supply but the store may allready have them.

I agree, Livistona chinensis is not as hardy as the others. If you do plant this, I'd recommend overhead cover from a tree. This will protect it from frost and they also thrive in partial shade.