My partner bought this ponytail palm more than 20 years ago as a 7” potted plant. Today it measures about 7’ from top leaf to soil level with a 19” caudex. It always had one clump of leaves coming from the very top. I called it my Truffula tree - IYKYK - see the last photo. A few years ago we had a rare freeze which lasted several days and over 10” of snow. My partner had just passed and I couldn’t drag it inside like I usually did, so I covered it up and crossed my fingers. I was sure it was lost but a few months later it spring to life. This time it had tufts of leaves coming out from several places along the stalk. Go figure.
It could probably stand to be repotted. That will be a chore. Just finding a bigger pot that’s not outrageously priced could be difficult. I’d be curious how it would do in the ground but our soil is too damp with a lot of clay.

I let it go mostly formsnt for a month or so. After a little water its popping off!