We had a gorgeous banana tree down in our pool area last year, and it never came up this spring. I say "came up" because this was our first year here and our lawn service said it should be cut down and covered with mulch. It never came back. What is the proper way to winterize a bananna tree? I may try to get another in the spring. Thanks!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SaltyDog,

My husband does lawn service and has dug them up for the winter and the people store them in the basement and re-plant in the spring.

Thanks, pintsize! It was about 15 feet tall. I never thought to ask the old owners what they did with it, but we only have a crawlspace, no basement. Maybe they dug it up and put it in the garage, but what do you do when they get so big you can't keep transplanting them? Could you ask your hubby for me?

Here's what I found on Google. I wonder if you could find someone to store it for you? Maybe find a nursery or someone with a greenhouse?

http://www.howtodothings.com/home-and-garden/a2399-how-...or-banana-trees.html

Good luck! A 15' banana tree must have been pretty!

You just have to store the bulb - you can cut the tree part off (above ground leaving a foot or 2 of stalk). I usually waited until it died back into the bulb after it's first winter nip.

It will be fine in a paper bag in the closet or under the kitchen sink. These things send volunteers out like crazy. I had to start giving them away.

Thank you all for the replies! My husband says I exaggerated a teeny(lol) bit on the size tho'. It was actually only about 7 feet tall. I'm short so it looked huge to me! I think I will try my luck again in the spring.