Life Amid the Palms

May 2023 - Welcome

What's "UP" With These Tallest Palm Trees?

The tallest palm trees in the world are a fascination for many Palm Devotees. That includes me.

The first time I viewed a photograph of them, it was the valley where they grow. Some were scattered up on the hillsides. Their tops swimming amidst cloudy swirls. Gauzy water-vapor mists seemed to slide downward from The Cloud Forest. Creating this astonishing, and eerie mood.

I was awestruck!

Similar to the First Image That Caught My Attention - But The One I Saw Was Much More Dramatic!

You know how it goes, that once you first discover something - that same thing or subject suddenly seems to appear again and again. Some say it had always been there, but you'd never noticed it before!

I don't know about that. But I do know how some internet searches work. And behind the scenes advertising techniques. After all, I do have a Side Hustle Business website.

Sure enough, after seeing that first amazing pic of those tallest palm trees, I began encountering more about them. Even a daily word game I play used an image as a backdrop! Similar to the one I first viewed  That sure added to the fun I had playing.

People Along the Trail, Interacting with Tall Palms & Loving These Views!

WHAT IS IT - ABOUT THESE TALL PALMS?

Some wonder where they are. Or why it attracts people. And those who've heard of them, still aren't quite sure how tall they can grow. When you see them, it might amaze you, too!

The tallest palm trees mostly go by Quindío Wax Palms, their common name. The scientific name is Ceroxylon quindiuense.

Palm Fronds Flowing in the Wind Atop These Tall Palm Trees in Valle de Cocora, Columbia

Yes, these are the world's tallest palm trees. Even getting a place in Guinness World Records, as the "Tallest Living Palm Tree." As validated by Colombian botanist/palm specialist, Rodrigo Bernal.

His team noted by measurement, two Wax palms in La Carbonera's Tochecito River valley:

• 194 feet/2.7 inches = 59.2 meters
• 187 feet/4 inches = 57.1 meters

THE CRAZINESS OF THEIR HEIGHT

The solitary trunk itself, loftily rises into the air! In the 1800s, there's even documentation of one reaching 200 feet high.

The trunk appears white because of its waxy coating.

Yet for that height, it's very narrow. In fact, adults can put their arms fully around some of them. Like a hug, to show their fondness!

Thus its strange appearance: very, very tall and skinny!

Note the Horse at the Bottom of Wax Palm's Trunk
To Appreciate the Height Contrast!

Image Used With Permission of Matt from Indie Traveller

LEAVES OF THIS TALL PALM TREE

Atop the trunk, its nearly round crown of fronds rises farther still. With palm leaves about 15-18 feet long. As a pinnate, each frond has 2-foot long leaflets. Whose undersides are coated with whitish/yellow down-like hairy matting. 

Some Palm Leaves are Blowing - You Can See the Whitish Mats on the Undersides

Where are the Tallest Palm Trees in the World?

Approximate Location of the Cocora Valley Within the Northern Andes of Columbia

First get to the South American country of Columbia. In the Department of Quindío's Columbian Coffee Triangle. Arrive in Solento. It's the access to the stunning Cocora Valley, by catching a ride with Willy's Jeeps.

Valle de Cocora is where you'll see these tallest palm trees scattered throughout grassy hillsides. Also continuing further into higher mountain elevations. To see them within grove-like and jungle settings.

Get to the Valley With Willy's Jeeps

Growing Thickly on the Hillside Jungle Area

Their environment is in a Cloud Forest. That's a higher elevation (from 6000-10,000 feet!) than the more well-known Rain Forests of the world. These Wax Palms prefer that chillier climate, not the warmth most palms favor.

Quindío Wax Palms also like the wet, misty conditions. Like I mentioned regarding the first image I saw. And they get that a lot! Which adds to the aura of this captivating valley.

TOURING/VIEWING THE TALLEST PALM TREES

There are fees to tour. Added ones if you take trails through private property. The currency is COP (Columbian Peso). 100 COP approximately equals 22 to 23 US cents. 

Look for the information board near where you pay your initial entrance fee. You'll view maps with hiking explanations, etc.

You have three options for trails, which you'll see on that entry map. We calculate them as Easy, Doable for Most, to Somewhat Challenging.

• EASY: Arrive in the village of Cocora. Continue walking along the main road (Via al Via del Cocora), at your leisure. It forks off to the right, but continue left for vantage points. You can choose to enter one of the private viewpoints; some have inclusive tours.

1. The first viewpoint is La Vida es Bella. A private entry tourist attraction that some say gives you fabulous areas for photography. Pay about 10,000 COP.
2. Soon after is La Vida Bella Parque, another private area costs about the same. Billed as an amusement & theme park.
3. Then Mirador Mano de Acaime is an Observation Deck.
4. Next is El Bosque de las Palmas.

• DOABLE FOR MOST: About 2 to 3 hours for This Route over a bit less than 5 miles RT.

1. Initially through tall palm hills, but then through thicker jungle as elevation rises.
2. Be aware horseback riders use this route. Droppings are along the trail.

• SOMEWHAT CHALLENGING: Give yourself a full day, start early. Two options On This Loop. Most advise taking it counter-clockwise. As you're walking along the road through Cocora, be sure to turn into the first trail entry.

1. First through a grassy field. Here you'll want to keep looking up. Often there's gliding Andean Condors, the world's largest flying bird! 
2. The 2nd trail entrance takes you clockwise. Not as dramatic a hike.

A Virtual Sky Tour of the Tallest Palm Trees

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We'd love to travel to see these tall palm trees. Not sure when we'll be able to do that! We'd love to hear your story, if you've gotten to see them. Can you Tell Us About It?!

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Although these Quindío Wax Palms are the tallest palm trees in the world, there are still many more Very Tall Palm Trees. They may also fascinate you.

Are You Talking Palm Trees?

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