I'm in central SC, zone 8a, and I, too, have had issues with Windmill palms growing happily for years, and then slowly dying. I've noticed the emerging fronds begin getting progressively smaller, sometimes over a period of 4 or 5 years, until they finally stop producing new fronds and then slowly start to die. I've tried digging them up and moving them, but nothing helps. Applying anti fungicides is useless. Now, when I notice this happening, I cut them down, even when they're still green and still look good from a distance. I have no idea what the culprit is, and it's very frustrating and disappointing. I don't plant windmills anymore, because of this baffling phenomena. I now grow Butias and Palmettos, which grow beautifully for me and don't display this seemingly random 'up and die' disease.

Regarding your Question: do use use the ever-famous VA Beach "shrink wrap" method?! if so, how do i do it?! The answer is, NO WAY! As far as I know that is a scam created by some local businesses that sell and "service" palms (for an additional annual fee). The plastic wrap is by no means necessary, and in fact the palms that are not wrapped look better in the spring due to the inevitable burning that happens under the plastic. The plants can't breathe and they get too hot. Even the businesses that provide this "service" do not wrap their own palms (been there in the winter). The only palm that I've ever wrapped is Washingtonia, and I only wrap the heart with burlap (so it can breathe) if it is predicted to get below 25. I will cover Jellys and Sago if snow is a possibility. Sabals, Windmills, Needles, Jellys and Mediterraneans all thrive here with no protection. I'm sure I'm missing some. The vast majority of people who have those trees do not wrap them, and they look wonderful! Washys need help though. Robusta are pretty much perennials in 50% of the years, and are prone to disease. Filifera is much better. I just bought a Filibuster this year and we'll see how that does. Here is a link that might be useful: Virginia Beach Weather

Thank you all for your ideas and thoughts. I agree, I have been letting it get too cold over the winter, definitely pushing it to its limits, and I should keep it warmer. Even if the cold isn't the problem, extra protection won't hurt. I think maybe I'll add more lights for more heat, maybe wrap them in a spiral on the ground, and wrap the trunk in burlap to hold the heat against the trunk. Last year, I just had 2 floodlights pointed at the ground along with covering the whole thing with a large plastic furniture bag. But on the coldest night last winter, I wasn't home to turn the floodlights on and I think that's what caused the defoliation. I think we got down to about zero degrees F. This winter I'll have to be a little less careless and a little more proactive.

I ordered two Windmill Palms in October 2007 bare root and they stayed outside for two days with lows going to 30 both nights. Then in February 2008 I order two more and they were shipped in some of the coldest weather last year. They were sent to Lexington, Kentucky where I was living at the time. Jake