Life Amid the Palms

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

But as innocent (sort-of) as palms look, 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, kind-of valid. But even so, we can work around those rationales.

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

Palms - Love 'em OR Hate 'em!

In 2007 Miami-Dade County, Florida, released a master plan for urban forestry. With a listing of "Approved Trees."

Miami: you'd envision palms all around. From yards, parks & along the beaches & streets. One place you wouldn't find them was on their Approval List!

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

Another city famed for palms all along its streets. City forest management reasoned not having palms going forward: "they don't add anything." No huge canopy enhancing local shade & minimizing temperatures.

We understand their points. 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." Which on average use less water, while cooling their immediate area by 3-7^oF.

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 such areas into parks & botanic gardens with shady trees.

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

Phoenix is larger, an even worse Heat Island. How about more green! Start getting creative with encouraging land donation, using infrastructure funding, applying for grants, etc.

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

SUGGESTIONS FOR SHADIER PALMS

• 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 argentea - Growing Naturally in This Area.

• Seashore Palm - Allagoptera arenaria, native to Brazilian beachy areas.

1. Good for Zones 9-11, even to 8b. Gets 8' tall.
2. Many low growing points spreads it out, bush-like.
3. Moderate water user, but tolerates drought, too.

ALSO REMEMBER THOSE PALMS WITH LARGE, WIDE LEAFY CROWNS

Bushy Allagoptera arenaria - Growing in Naples Botanical Garden, Florida