by Journey, age 9, asks if palm trees survive freezes, about the Mississippi River, and New Orleans levees
Dear Santa,
Hey Santa, from New Orleans. My name is Journey and I am 9 years old. We have palm trees all up and down our street, and this past winter it actually got cold enough to frost one night, which had my grandmother out there the next morning anxiously checking every single leaf.
My first question is: will a palm tree actually survive a freeze?
My second question is geography: what river runs right past New Orleans?
My third question is from school: why does New Orleans build such tall levees?
I left you a beignet, dusted heavily with sugar, and a cup of cafe au lait.
Love, Journey, age 9, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
From the Desk of Father Christmas
Dear Journey, a sugar-dusted beignet is a proper treat, and the cafe au lait warmed me right up. Now, to ease your grandmother’s worry, and answer your other questions.
Will a palm tree survive a freeze?
It really depends on the type of palm and how cold and how long the freeze lasts. Some cold-hardy varieties, like the windmill palm, can survive brief freezes down to quite chilly temperatures with only minor leaf damage, while more tropical palm species can be seriously harmed or even killed by a hard, prolonged freeze. A single light frost with a quick thaw, exactly like the one your street experienced, often leaves palms just fine, perhaps with a few browned leaf tips that can simply be trimmed away once the weather warms. Your grandmother’s careful morning inspection was a very sensible thing to do.
What river runs past New Orleans?
The Mississippi River curves right along New Orleans, one of the longest and most important rivers in North America, carrying goods and shaping the city’s history for centuries.
Why does New Orleans build such tall levees?
New Orleans sits mostly below sea level, surrounded by the Mississippi River and nearby Lake Pontchartrain, making it vulnerable to flooding. Tall levees, earthen or concrete walls, help hold back rising water during storms and heavy rain, protecting the city that has grown up in such a low-lying, water-surrounded spot.
Tell your grandmother the palms should be just fine, and I shall see you very soon.
Ho ho ho, Santa
