I had a simular experience this year with 3 minors. They were transplants from South Carolina and had not put out a new frond in the last 2 years. I stuck them in the ground in the fall, covered them with mulch and told them to sink or swim. To my suprise they survived. Sometimes less is better.

Craig

I transplanted a 7 gallon from the wild all the fronds died a year ago now i can see some green coming back out !

Rocky, what part of IL are you in? What's your growing zone? I'm a zone 5b in missouri, and would love to try a sabal, just don't have alot of firsthand info.

I am 6a I think you hould give it a try