When I use the term defoliation I just refer to the palm losing all of it's fronds in the spring whether they are drooping down or are just all brown and need to be cut off. I am sure I will have PLENTY of pictures of this come spring haha. This winter has been a challenge!
-Alex

I was curious about this as well since there is no question I will lose just about every frond on my Trachy when all is said and done. And we're talking about a large tree now. I don't even look at it anymore. Too depressing. Will post a picture soon for some input as to what folks think about its survival. The relentless single digit overnight temps and wind have done quite a number on this once flush and green beauty. Looks like it went through a bout with Ali in his prime. We just don't expect a duration like this here at the Shore. Rare to hit the teens overnight. If it happen at all, it's brief. Am already deciding how I will incorporate the wood into my tiki bar should the worst happen. Praying it doesn't.

When I use the term the frond has become completely brown, no green left. And usually fallen down to the side of the palm ready to be pruned. Currently all fronds are still tied up, but they are dead. In the case of my windmills some are 100% defoliated and some are partially defoliated. Even better some just have have bent fronds with no defoliation at all.

Thanks for clearing that up for me. Keep the faith Guys. Trachycarpus are tough. It ain't over till the spears stop shooting out.

Trish, is the there still a green leaf bud? Even if it did/does pull, it CAN still grow another bud! I know people usually take bud loss to mean certain death, but it really does not. The palm in the picture below is a Phoenix roebellini. It overwinters in my garage as it is too big for the house. Well, four years ago it lost its center bud. It sulked the first season outside, then flowered every year since then.