A Tale of Two Palm Trees

Here is a great demonstration of why the idea of micro-climate is so important.  These two pictures show two different specimens of the same species, Washingtonia robusta (Mexican Fan Palm), growing 20 feet away from each other.  The one on top is growing adjacent to the south side of the house.  The one on the bottom is growing in about the same amount of sun, but with nothing like the side of the house to help moderate the temperature during freezing nights.  Although the one on the bottom defoliated, I expect it to fully recover, probably growing at a slower pace than the one on the top.

Note: I cut off the dead fronds from the palm on the bottom, but left the spiky petioles in tact because they will eventually form the "woven" thatch on the trunk.