Solstice, were they taken with film or digital? They are beautiful. Coffeemom, you made me laugh! I just finished my last roll of Advantix film and I swore that was the end of that camera, even though I loved it. It's time to get a digital, but I want at least 6 mp and 10x optical zoom for a good price. Does anyone know if you really need 6 or more mps in a digital camera? My first camera was a Canon AE1 program, which I still use. I bought it in 1983 and the first pick I took with it was my son taking his first step. I love that camera. I took a quick course at the local vo-tech school on photography, but I could never figure out the f stops and aperture stuff, so I always left it on auto mode and I have albums full of great pics. I got the Advantix one Christmas since I was always complaining about lugging the Canon around. It took great pics and I loved the Advantix film. You could take the pics in 4x6, 4x7 or panoramic. I still don't know if I want a digital SLR or not. I hate to spend a lot of money on something, just to find out that it's in a year or two. Julie

It's common to paint/stain palm tree trunks in Florida!!! Here is a paint suggested by my local garden shop in Palm Beach County and sold by Benjamin Moore: Brand: Sikkens Wood Finishes, Cetol 23 Plus, Translucent Satin Wood Top Coat. I have two large Sylvester Palm Trees which, over the years, have developed discolored trunks due to multiple pruning events. Therefore, I selected the Teak color. It has a medium tint, but it is not so dark it will channel sunlight to the trunk and hurt it. I will take before/after pictures. My landscaper suggested I paint the trees. I did not see anything on the internet on this topic, so that is why I decided to post. Here is a link that might be useful: Sikkens This post was edited by cc179 on Tue, Sep 17, 13 at 17:54

WATER AND MORE WATER! They should have been kept soaking wet from the day they were planted. It wouldn't stop some sunburn- but would have mitigated the damage. For the Howeas its going to be a slow recovery- years. The King palms are much faster..but the browned trunk worries me. That's a deep burn. I know it sounds like you watered often enough...but probably not enough or deep enough. A watering ring around those palms filled when watered and then re filled would help. You might as well cut off the dead fronds and start from there. Those are some of the best palms to grow..but the start can sometimes get off on the wrong foot in a hot summer. You might be happier to add more palms alongside now that temps will be going down so you have something nice to look at for now. It would be worth it instead of getting all frustrated waiting for those to recover. Best luck!

Very few palms are tolerant of water-logged conditions (though there are a few..., Cat palms and Majesty among them), but Trachys, like most palms need excellent drainage. Also, keep in mind, Trachys do NOT grow best in very hot weather, being temperate to subtropical zone palms, they grow better when highs are under 90 (unlike Sabals that are real heat lovers), so this may be another reason you are not seeing decent growth, and if there are structures near it (your house, garage, etc...), those temperaures you hear being officially quoted my be much COOLER than what your palm is actually experiencing (reflected heat). Finally, have you been feeding (palms are relatively high feeders). P.S., If you want to expand your palm collection, I strongly suggest you consider Sabals, many are heat and cold tolerate to Zone 7. Sabal minors are among the most cold tolerant of palms. I also like Sabal 'Louisianna' as it is faster growing (but a bit less hardy then S. minor). Sabal bermudana (Bermuda Sabal) is probably my favorite Sabal but probably only hardy to Zone 8.