PALM TREE TYPES

 

Here are a few palm tree types common to Florida.  This list is by NO MEANS complete or in anyway  to be considered anything except a simple informative page on palm trees.

We so often are asked "Which type of Palm tree is best?"  Well the best answer is "Depends"

Each landscape has different positive and negative points and each individual has a different "vision" of what their little piece of "heaven" should look like.

After reading over some of these descriptions, lay out a plan of where you want your palm trees and picture them in 5-10 years.  Plant ALWAYS with the future in mind!

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Coconut Palms
The Coconut Palm is one of the very few palm species that makes up its own genus,  although years of cultivation in tropical climates have given us somewhere around 80 named varieties.  Coconut Palms are believed to have originated in southeast Asia. Probably the best known palm in the world, the coconut is a symbol of all things tropical.  Mature coconuts can reach heights of up to 100 feet, with a trunk that is characteristically slim, often leaning, solitary, and ringed with scars from previous growth.  Its fruit is oval, generally large, and in early stages of ripening is yellow to green.  The coconuts themselves turn dry and brown upon ripening fully.

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Sago Palms

While various species of Cycads can be found throughout the world, the subtropical Sago Palms are native to the Far East and cold hardy Sago Palms have been used as a choice container and landscape plant for centuries. The growth habit of Cycas revoluta displays an upright trunk with a diameter from 1" to 12" depending on age, topped with stiff feather-like leaves growing in a circular pattern. Rather than continuously adding foliage, Sagos produce a periodic "flush" of new leaves, called a "break". Eventually, offsets begin to grow at the base of the Sagos, and occasionally in the crown. The addition of offsets provides a source of new plants and many possibilities for developing an unique specimen. 
 

 

Canary Island Date Palm
As you may guess from the name, these palms originated in the Canary Islands off the western coast of Africa.

Mature trees can grow to heights of 60 feet, with a solitary and quite stout trunk.  The trunks of these trees often reach 3ft in diameter, making these trees extremely heavy.  Even a smaller tree, 3-4 feet in height can weigh up to a ton.  The leaves are feather shaped and lower leaflets develop into stiff, very sharp spines.

The flower stalks originate from the leaf bases, and are a bright orange in color.  The fruit is actually edible, but most who have tried it seem to agree - why would you want to?

Florida Royal Palm
 Native to Florida the Royal Palm is easily identified by its towering very light gray trunk and bright glossy crownshaft.

Mature trees will grow to 80 feet, and curiously for such a massive tree, the fruit is quite small, only ˝ inch in diameter.  The blooms originate below the crownshaft.

Known as an 'even' grower, these trees are often used to line avenues and streets.  Be careful where you plant these trees in your yard, as they can get massive and will dominate the area where planted.
Red Latan Palm
The 'red' in the name comes from young plants having a red tinting to the leaves and leaf stalks.  Native to Reunion Island, where oddly, they are now almost extinct.

Mature height is 40ft, with a slim single trunk. The bloom originates among the leaf bases, and bears a large plum-like fruit which is dark brown when ripened.

These palms can be particularly sensitive to attacks by the palm beetle.
 

Triangle Palm
Native to Madagascar, this is an easily identifiable palm due to the triangular shape of its stalk bases.

Mature height is 20ft, and it bears small, oval fruit on a bloom stalk originating among the leaf bases.

These palms are suitable for indoor or outdoor growth in our area and like full sun exposure.  Indoors, growth is very slow, but its shape allows it to be placed close to walls and corners.
Queen Palm
Native of Brazil, this palm is both well-known and popular.  Capable of heights to 60ft, these trees can be extremely graceful with their light-weight fronds dancing in a breeze.  

Queens have solitary gray trunks, which are ringed with old leaf bases.  

Its flower stalk originates from among the leaf bases, and bears a small yellow fruit.

These trees are fast growers and can tolerate moderately cold climates.
 

Chinese Fan Palm
As you would guess from the name, its origin is southern China.  These palms can reach heights up to 40ft, but are known as extremely slow growers.

The trunks are solitary and slim, usually not exceeding 12inches in diameter.

Sometimes called a Fountain Palm due to the leaves have strongly dropping tips.  Does well in both tropical and temperate climates.
 
PALM TREE CARE

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Washington Palms are a fast growing and tall landscape palm.  The Washington Palm (also known as Mexican Fan Palm) is native to the desert regions of Mexico where it tends to grow near permanent surface or sub-surface water sources.  For those in the northern areas of Florida, this palm is very hardy and can withstand several degrees below freezing without appreciable damage.  Of the tribe Corypheae, and subfamily Coryphoideae it is also known by the botanic name Washingtonia robusta.

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