[Toronto6A6B]

Toronto used to have white Xmas every year I think but not in the last 2 decades I think. The other extremely cold winter I recall was the one in the 90's. Having said that, Toronto could get down to -15C during the cold spells, each lasts for a few nights. So protection is needed.

Yes the fear is one extreme cold winter will kill all the windmill palms if unprotected. I was thinking growing a windmill palm in a pot in the first few years, move it indoors in Nov-Mar as some nights in Nov & Mar might have temperatures below 0C. That's one approach.

Another approach is to plant it outside right from the beginning but will definitely build something to protect it from the cold spells in Jan & Feb.

The bottom line is I will be stuck with the ugly structure, the work involved & cost for 2 months to enjoy the windmill palm for 10 months. This is the price to pay living in the cold climate I suppose.