We are currently working with Nassau and Suffolk County on getting a minimum 5 Acre location for a nursery. We have a 3 acre location being developed in Old Brookville. While there is a trade off between the full root system of an easily shipped 3-5 footer(Trachy), our feeling is that customers will want a legit looking palm asap so the minimum 8 footers make sense. I'm hoping that the palm's maturity will spark quicker regrowth of its root system within a max 2-year period. So during those two years, at least the customer will have a palm of substance to look at and brag about. We will be offering a 1-year guarantee on all palms provided the customer uses our winter wrapping service. We feel the crucial months for protection (before establishment of the palm) will be Dec-Feb...Possibly first 2 weeks in March. Hey, the way I see it, covering a palm in NY for 3 months-to have palms isn't that bad. Our targeted market is pool owners-who are used to officially closing/covering their pools, BBQ, deck chairs....OK, so now include your palms. A ritual they are already used too. Shipping will be choreographed to spend as little time in transit as possible. We are currently speaking with different nurseries in GA & NC. Obviously, dealing with NC would provide us with the closest and most cold hardy of the species. Our goal is to get our nursery up and running ASAP so we can get our 1st generation of NY'ers followed by future generations-hopefully winding up with "New York Tough" lines of different palms species. We will also be test planting Dates, Sabals, Washingtonias, Yuccas and Agaves this spring to see how they cope with the next winter. I'm also going to be getting some Jubaea and Butia Hybrids. We will be experimenting with chemicals, sprays...trying to stay away from anything requiring electrical. One thing we will be working with is Beet Juice. Believe it or not, there is a company that has a patent pending on beet juice as an ice melt. In STL they use it instead of salt to melt the roadways as it is all natural and not corrosive. Can beet juice lower the core water temp freezing point inside a palm? Maybe, wont know until this winter. I just hope it doesn't dye the darn palm red :). Also, purely by accident, I discovered that I have seepage form a broken line in my leaching field where cesspool water is coming up. The grass in contact with that water is lush, growing and green as can be while the grass around it is frozen, brown and lifeless. A fertilizer rich in potassium and nitrogen may do a NY palm well in helping survive a winter. Each area in the US is different, even if they are listed in the same zone. There are Fortuneis on Long Island that are 20+ tall over 45 years old living on Long Island-no protection(Not having anything to do with me...www.nypalms.com. Our goal is to get them through the first 2-3 winters and then they should be able to cope. Butias may require winter protect for 5-10 years or until they are at least 15 feet high. I'm really looking forward to experimenting with other species and sharing the finding with all of you.

Tigerdunes, So you are saying you're familiar with the climate here--and you would be comfortable leaving out the LP? I have wondered about this myself, since the house we just sold (subdivision, mass-built) was heatpump only, with LP ventless logs in the LR. Our utility bills were very low. But now that we're building, everyone we ask is saying they wouldn't do it any way other than HP w/ furnace backup. I don't understand why, since our bills have always been low with elec. HP-only. I forgot to clarify--there is no Nat. Gas. It would be LP from our own tank. We are planning to have 1 set of vented LP logs in the LR. We actually used them quite often in the last house to supplement the heat, and take the chill off. They made a big difference in heating the house, but that one was 2-story and I think the heat was able to rise. Not sure if they'd have the same effect in a ranch. I will research the systems you mentioned, as well as some of the terms you used! It's like reading Chinese!! haha I will also use the fuel calculator-will take some research to find the numbers but it looks helpful. Thanks! Ryan, you are right about needing more quotes. Thank for getting me moving on that. I passed the plans along to one sub today who has 40 years' experience and works alone. Thanks again for all your help. I've been searching for threads on here regarding elec. HP only vs. gas backup, but can't find anything.

Still have SO much to consider and decide on, but wanted to say that I've now decided to stay over for two nights so will have a bit more time, and also reserved a room at the Salisbury on 57th Street, a very short stroll from Central Park. The hotel is older (right next to the Calvary Baptist Cathedral; I believe the hotel building is actually owned by the church), and a bit shabby -- but in that way it reminds me of places I've stayed in London. As I was perusing the hotel's website and considering a very decent sale rate of $120 per night for a king room, the site suddenly changed and showed a dropped price of $48 (!) for the last king room available on my chosen arrival night. I hopped on that like a cat on a paper bag! So, while not the most glamorous accommodation in the city, the location is amazing. I'm really excited, but truly overwhelmed at the choices I now have to make as to what will fill my time. My friends have not fully committed to staying over, but I suspect they will. Even if they don't, I'm going to have fun!

I have no experience with PTAC or this company. I found them and offered it as a suggestion. The equipment you have is made by Trane. I am not sure what equipment they sell. This type of equipment somewhat specialized. Therefore it is important you find an installer who has experience installing PTACs. Perhaps they would be willing to provide a reference of someone who lives in your building. Here is another PTAC installer in NYC if you want a second quote.