All looks well. The Pachy must taken some deep cold. Mid 20's don't seem to phase them. But,that one looks like it was growing robustly before.
The lower cacti..some kind of Opuntia "Cows Tongue". Getting woody near the base is normal.

Thanks!

What do you think will happen with the top of the Cardon?

I think the problem was that it was newly planted (3-4 months) and it was a freak rain/freeze event for us.

It will shrivel up,then fall off leaving a clean scar. As the new shoot grows it will be the new crown.

These are not that cold hardy... I have tried several species of Pachycereus and these iones only tolerate high to MAYBE mid 20s... lower than that and the tops die... takes 1-2 years sometimes to get a new growth like you did there... the part above will continue to shrivel and die, and if you're lucky, no fungus will start to grow there next winter... otherwise beheading while it's still warm, at a sharp angle (to prevent future rains from sitting and rotting the flat top) and letting it callus well before winter comes along is my best suggestion.

Thanks so much guys :)

I'm a little nervous about cutting the top off. Is there anything to put on the open wound to help it scar quicker?

If I don't cut it, how long should it take to fall off?

Is the consensus to cut or not to cut?

On below freezing nights we cover the cacti with multiple soft blankets then put a frost sheet on top of that.

Also added some smaller old type Christmas lights wrapped below the first layer. When we take off the blankets, they are nice and toasty, even after a hard freeze.

These two Giant Saguaros (~ 6' and 2' Double) did great in the same area over the winter. The Double showed a little burn from the time the Cardon got hurt and was uncovered, but looks 100% now.

{{gwi:607545}}

{{gwi:607546}}

BTW: This is a "large" Cardon (Which I tried to buy, since it's about to hit the roof, and they've had other cacti break) has been downtown uncovered for years. No burn???

{{gwi:607547}}

Either that's a Goth bistro or the pic was around Holloween.

All they need to do is prune it about halfway down..it will then slowly regrow multiple arms. Or..the top will naturally expire and it will then sprout new arms...but where -hi or low,is hard to say.
I think they turned down your offer because it would be hard to remove without bothering the big barrel cacti. At the least you could advise them on pruning them while the summer is still on...and you would gladly "adopt" the top 4-5' piece.

Hahah no, it's just a normal bar ;)

If I was to cut my Cardon, would I need to cut into the healthy tissue?

I'm a little nervous and feel bad about cutting, kind of would like it to naturally heal.

Do you think chances are it'll heal itself and the top will just fall off?

How long do you think it should take to fall off?