Sounds similar to my issues with rabbits...The only fool proof means you can use is chicken wire around the base until the palms get more trunk. Sounds disgusting, but you could also surround the palms with some dog poop if they're far enough away from the house to where you don't smell it. Works with deer too. Animals don't want to eat where another animal defecated. As for missing fronds, your palms should be okay and recover, but if the fronds keep being eaten repeatedly, the palm could go into decline from lack of photosynthesis and die. As for soil, good drainage is best, but windmills are supposed to like a little heavier soil anyway. Plant them a little higher up on mounds. Seems to do the trick. You could mix a little sand in too if you're concerned. The main thing is you don't want to see puddling around the base of the tree or really soggy soil. Full sun is best too.

I think it might be leaf spot. Its caused by a fungus. The best way to lessen it is to keep the leaves dry and only water from the bottom. Also it could be pottasium deficency is you would need a fertilizer that is high in potassium. Good luck.

Chad, I measured the trunk as just about 30". The freaky thing is that the newest frond has a petiole measuring 52" from trunk to hastula! It gets a great deal of sun there, but not all day, so that likely makes it stretch. If it had shorter petiole, it wouldn't be so out of control. I planted windmills there because I always liked the look of Victorian porches in Key West lined with palms. I got tired of hauling potted tropical palms and hibiscus in every winter. With our relatively mild winters windmills do very well. I just underestimated how well or how fast. This season alone the top of the tallest frond just barely topped the railing and now touches the ceiling. I was hoping they'd keep just above railing level for a few years. A sabal minor would've been a much better choice in the long run. Unfortunately, I'll have to keep this one trimmed up. Glad you like Alex. We're really lucky with what we can grow here.

Did it get really, really dry without you realizing it? Was it accidentally exposed to something like weed kill? If it has no leaves on it, chances are it's gone. What does the center look like? Any hint of green emerging. Could be some kind of disease or insect problem. These are pretty robust palms ordinarily. To give you an idea of how tough they are, I have two planted in front. Over the winter they regularly experience temps into the low teens, heavy snow and occasional ice.--But they are thriving! I would try again if they are gone.