put your hand in the crown at the topand if it feels like youd imagine an orang-utans knuckles feel like then its fine and probably needs some feeding . id imagine though that if its been through a winter or two without being wrapped up its probably dead as the stem as such is made up of the dead stems of the leaves from the years before . the living part is the top really .

Noseypotter is 100% correct though it should be able to take the last 3 winters without any protection. If you can feel fronds in the crown then I would treat the crown every 2 weeks with a seaweed fertiliser to try and boost its strength.

Only NP wold think of it being like Orang Outan's knuckles!

just close yours eyes sg and reach inside and tell me what you think lol . your right I have got a vivid imagination x .

I can't NP, I haven't got one. But can imagine just what you mean.

lol I bet you will when you see one .

That is brilliant description NP but I immediately conjured up an image of my OH :o) He was nick named grizzly Mcvities [ should be adams but he was/is ginger hence the mcvities of ginger nut fame bit]

lol ha ha sb brilliant . it is a fitting description though ive never felt an orang-utans knuckles . id like to though .

now funnily enough I have had my hand held by an orang-utan. warm and very pleasant.

cool lucky you sb . im very envious .

Me too!