Question
I have two small foxtails that were hit with this winter's frost here in SW Florida.  My question is this..they have some fronds that seem to be sealed shut.  The plants are trying to survive.  Would it be of any benefit to cut the tips off the fronds to allow them to open?  Or should I just let them alone?  Also, it seems to be taking forever for the old dead fronds to fall off.  If I help them along would this cause "pencil neck"?  Or again, should I just leave them alone?

Answer
Hi Mable, leave it be, it will traverse its difficulties on its own, all you would accomplish by cutting the tips off, is disfiguring the frond; the old fronds, if totally brown, can be cut at the Petiole, right up against the trunk , but its not necessary, for they will fall off eventually on their own. The Palm is still reeling from the cold stress and time will tell whether it fully recovers or not. Just make certain that it gets proper irrigation (the rainy season is here, so it should not be a problem) and it wouldn't hurt to fertilize it, if you haven't already. Nick