Id say it's worth it! You don't have to protect it forever. You can keep it alive and growing for as long as you are willing to care for it. Getting a decade of use out of it is pretty doable. I planted mine as a small plant about a foot and half tall in March 2009. 6 years have now gone by and it is only about 5 feet tall so protection is still doable. it would never have grown to be that healthy in a pot.

I probably will not give my trachy full protection forever, but right now I'm enjoying keeping it from getting any damage so it can grow to its full potential.

I think its worth a try, you have nothing to lose. They are not slow growers but they aren't all that fast either. It will probably take 20 years before a 3 -5 gallon palm reaches 15 feet tall with protection in your climate.

Good luck!

I would say, definitely...especially what I have seen after this winter! Our February was at least 10 F. colder than average. That's not a big difference, it's extraordinary! So, highs that should have been into the 40's were stuck in the low 20's and lows bottomed out into the single digits on more than one occasion. It seemed like a ZONE 5 February to me (December and January were milder). Well, I just uncovered an outdoor Trachy. It was covered with a plastic garbage can (with damage holes on top so not well insulated). I provided no heating source but the location is on the south side of the house. I was very surprised to find it looking so well! Have had worse damage with greater protection AND lights in the past. I think this encourages me to attempt a protection method I have read about with palms in Europe. Where in cooler regions, they merely tie together the fronds and wrap them with burlap. Sure they are helped by...keeping out the moisture, protecting from winter sun scold, and providing a somewhat warmer temperature. If you do use lights, be careful, it is very easy to damage them as even little bulbs do get hot. P.S., You might also consider Sabal minor or Louisiana...as long as your summers are as hot as he//.

I am protectiong about a thirdy footer right now

except,that its broken up between about 7 palms..

Way easier to cover a thirdy footer IMO...go that way( :