trying to determine if sago is dead after winter freeze

Question

Have had this male sago for 20 years. Always cut back brown fronds after winter. However 2014 winter was the worst for North Florida. Male cone appeared a month ago – but still no fronds. Has been warm here since May and no fronds. Now July…3 months. Should I cut this sago down and plant a new baby there instead?

Answer 1

Well, while it’s likely that the sago is a goner considering that it’s July and no new fronds, there is a small possibility that it will still do something. So unless it’s in a spot where it’s totally unsightly, I’d let it go awhile longer. You could scrape the surface of the trunk to see if there’s any green tissue underneath. If not, you could try cutting back the trunk entirely, to see if it will sprout from the roots. Or you could stop worrying about it, and plant a new one. It’s really hard to say — your choice. This article has some suggestions for the future: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/sago-palm/sago-winter-care.htm