Palm Trees Bad for Environment? - Loved & Hated!

Hmmm - so are palm trees bad for environmental health?

Here we are, a group of people who love palm trees! For their cool differences from most other plant species, their tropically calming beauty, their wide varieties, their lovely looks in our home landscapes! And many more reasons.

But as innocent (sort-of) as palms look, yes - there are those who don't like them at all! (Guess it may be Palms: Love 'em or Hate 'em!)

Those disliking palms have their reasons. Some are kind-of valid. But even so, we can work around those rationales.

We know we love them - but why do some others not?

Palm Trees Bad for Environment in Miami FL?

For Miami Florida, palm trees have produced a Love - Hate Relationship! Although palms are ubiquitous in this city, some felt this about palm trees: bad for environment!

In 2007 Miami-Dade County, Florida, released a master plan for urban forestry.

With a listing of "Approved Trees." In Miami, most people envision palms all around. (We do, do you?) From yards, parks & along the beaches & streets.

One place you wouldn't find them was on the urban forestry Approval List! As they did believe about palm trees: bad for environment's quality.

Vintage Look at Palm Treed Bayfront Park Beginning Flagler Street in Miami, FL

Proactively they reported their reasoning, anticipating complaints, or at least questions. Regarding NO palms on that list, they said:

And while we're at it, let's compare Miami Florida palm trees vs. California palm trees.

In California, Los Angeles Agreed!

Another city famed for palms all along its streets is in California.

Yes, that's Los Angeles. With Palms Along Many Streets. City forest management reasoned not having palms going forward: "they don't add anything. No huge canopy enhancing local shade & minimizing temperatures."

Admitting, though, palms are "aesthetically nice." Yet believing palms don't create healthier people environments. So, Los Angeles also didn't have them on their tree list. Even though the California Fan Palm is Native (endemic) there.

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Has Miami Updated Their Palm Stance?

Well, has Miami updated since? We wondered and came to the definitive conclusion of MAYBE! 

• Because We've researched Miami here>

You've got to perform a detailed search of the law code.

One thing we found was in Miami Dade County Codes in Chapter 24, Article IV, Division 2 (Tree Preservation), Section 24-49: Permits for tree removal and relocation, improperly issued permits, violation of permit conditions, exemptions from tree removal permits; mortgagee exemption from liability.

Under (4)(f), which does itemize Washingtonia species are exempt from this part of the code.

We believe (we're not attorneys after all!) it intends that W. filifera, or W. robusta can be cut down without worry. Almost anywhere in the county. They're on the county's "Controlled Species" list, calling Washingtonias "invasive pests." And they're illegal to plant near "natural plant communities."

Well, we get it - Washingtonias are arid climate species.

Did Los Angeles Update Their Palm Tree Stance?

Since the devastating fires around Los Angeles in early 2025, there have been many comments that palms are THE fire hazard there.

We don't agree. Even though, yes palms can catch fire.

You can research LA City Trees Here>

Can We Agree AND Disagree About Palm Trees?

We can understand the points they make - to a degree.

Once I even posted a Rebuttal To a Palm-Hater.

We understand needing good shade. Some studies show "shady" palms have an inverse relationship to their water need, compared to popular shade trees. Those like Maple or Oak on average use less water, while cooling their immediate area by 3-7^oF/up to 4^oC.

Cities tend to be "Heat Islands." Is that the palms' fault? No: Because cities are built with lots of ground-covering concrete & macadam. Buildings are closely set, not leaving much room for cooling green!

In this time of warming trends throughout the earth, maybe it's time to rethink what cities need, to discourage this Heat Island Effect.

Forming policies incentivizing turning more areas into parks & botanic gardens with all kinds of shady trees.

Tucson Arizona, Where We Live
Has Numerous Sandy Vacant Lots & Empty Businesses With Paved Parking

Phoenix Arizona is larger, an even worse Heat Island.

How about more green! Start getting creative with encouraging land donation, using any available infrastructure funding, applying for grants, etc.

Phoenix - Setting Heat Records! More Lately Than in the Past

One Solution: Consider the Palm Landscaping

In cities, people use palms in their private landscapes.

Now it's even more important to personally design with appropriate water use & shade provision. Quoting a rare plant nursery owner - quite applicable. Flora Grubb says "...I adore palm trees. When used correctly, when designed into a garden with skill, palms do their jobs so well."

We love palms, and agree with using them skillfully & appropriately. So that palms aren't part of the heating-up problem. Like any plant, palm fronds make oxygen, helping air quality.

They pay their way! And not all palms guzzle water.

SUGGESTION FOR SHADIER PALMS

What's best is looking for shorter palms - less than 60ft/80m. And also having a good, wide thick crown. Here's one example:

• Mediterranean Fan Palm Variety - Chameaerops humilis var. Argentea

1. Adaptable, water-efficient & as a fan palm, has wider leaf blades for added shade.
2. Multiple growing points grow bunching trunks. For shading areas.
3. About 13+ feet tall, makes nice hedge-like planting to edge garden seating.

Chamaerops humilis variation Argentea growing in Moroccan native habitat

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