What my friend does is to wrap sacking round the whole thing - then she packs inside it with straw, Costa. She fastens the top, too. She hasn't lost one yet.

Yep, agree with Spritzhenry, although common alternatives are packing the top with straw, then you fold the fronds over the top of that and tie in place, then wrap the whole thing in thick horticultural fleece, or a couple of layers at least of thinner fleece.

Oh yes - I forgot to say that the fronds are tied up. Thanks, Bamboo. :-)

thank you spritshenry,bamboo,do you mean bend the fronds up and over to other side of trunk and tie them around the trunk.how much straw do i use,thanks.

Gardeners World Magazine extract:

"Tree Ferns are prone to freezing as the centre of the plant, which contains the growing point, collects moisture.

Covering the top of the trubk with many layers of fleece, tied in position with string, will help insulate against frost."

I take it to create the layers you can use a folded fleece.

Costa, lots of straw - a really thick layer under the sacking or hessian. Yes, you'll need to bend the fronds over and tie them down.

By the way, don't use bubblewrap.

Fleece will only keep plants 2 degrees higher, and I'm a bit surprised at GW for not saying that, Alex.

thank you alextb and spritshenry,one more question when do i cover the tree fern and when will i uncover it next year.

Wrap it up as soon as frost is (seriously) forecast for your area, Costa, and I'm afraid it's wise to leave it until all risk of frost has passed. It seems a long time, I know.