Hi Linda ! Thank you for the kind comments! Hi Key... Thank you for all of the info. I will definitely keep that option open next summer . I think I'm going to let him rest for the summer and then make a decision on sending him off to another home or cut back like you mentioned. Great idea though. I'll keep you posted! Hi Planto .. I have not seen the gentleman to whom I gave the other tree to .. Maybe it is best if I don't know.. Lol. It would hurt my feelings if he didn't take care of it , but I'm sure ( fingers crossed) that he is... Hi Toni! I did cut straight across the root ball and started with a third of the bottom lopped off. Then I started in the center and around and untangled the roots and cut the long ones off. Trimmed the top root where I exposed the newer caudex area too . Pony Tail Palms are hardy in Zones 9-11. I probably could try and plant in the ground here , but I would need to watch the low temps when they reach lower 20's. I think my tree is already showing signs. Of growth and I don't think it will skip a beat at all especially with the roots like they were and now having room , the tree will probably grow quite a bit now! Yikes! I'll keep you posted! Hope you are doing well? Everyone here is ok and ready for the warm summer temps. It is cool and raining here today almost like a Northeaster blowing .. Yuck! Hi Christopher!! Thank you!!! It was a huge job! Glad I is over though... Lol I will post some more pics for you soon. I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend!! Hi Entr... Thank you for the big comments ! I really appreciate them! Take care , Laura

Ummm, ponytail palms aren't really PALMS (its a misnomer) they are really succulent trees. YOu might get a better response on the succulent forum

That looks like mould (fungus) growing there. Have you tried scraping it off? If you do check to see if the trunk there is soft or damaged. Probably your soil is too wet. It's best to water when the plant needs it rather than on a weekly or fixed schedule. Fungus can usually be got rid of by using cinnamon powder. Peat moss isn't good to use in potting soil for these plants. The leaning is more likely caused by the plant having good light from only one side and it's growing towards that light. When you repot it you can set it straight up and then afterwards keep rotating the plant occasionally to make sure it gets light all around.

Sorry about your plants and hope it will recover. Just a note of caution about cold tolerance, guidelines generally apply to mature plants planted in ground. In my experience, even mature plants grown in pots don't have the same threshold for cold resistance than the same plant in ground. I guess they do not make as much antifreeze when in pots! Also even if the forecast can be accurate, there are many microclimates in your garden and when temps are low, a few degrees lower can make a huge difference. Maybe I am overly cautious, but for plants that have a "tropical" vibe, I protect them from frost when in pots.