Tiger, I've a banjoo 2 yrs now and I'm in zone 5..all I do is mulch for protection..
This is the first yr I'm trying palms, but in fall, a structure will have to be made..I planted the Needle and Windmill Palms..The Sabal is too small...
I also have a Poncirus (flying dragon) citrus growing since last summer..it made our harsh winters..
I think w/a little work, you can grow those plants,too. Toni

I've heard that they are root hardy to -20f so I don't believe that I would have to mulch? Even though I am in zone 6 which is the same as Chicago our winters are much less severe. I've been thinking about getting as fig tree too. I know someone here who has had one in his backyard for 30 years

Tiger, do you know the type of fig? Does this person get fruit? That's incredible..
Even though you're in zone 6, I'd still mulch..To be honest, our winters have really been mild the last 4 yrs..Even annuals I've planted last year have reseeded themselves and are growing..Like Morning Glory..
You really should check out Palm and Cycad forum, and look at pics..one guy in Chiago has a beautiful windmill palm in his yard..Toni

I don't know what type of fig it is, but it has to be pretty cold hardy. The coldest it's ever gotten here in my lifetime was around -7f. Does snow damage Bananas? We average 19 inches each season(but below average the last 10 years). I think I'll put this in the Palms and cycads section, thanks for your help

Tiger, we haven't had much snow...but we sure had some cold days..neiher snow nor cold harmed my banjoo banana..Toni