John Eisenhower of Integrity SavATree talks about the Tree of the Month, the Canary Date Palm and our Monthly Tree Topic: #SeasonalStormPrep
Tree of the Month: #CanaryDatePalm
Scientific: Phoenix canariensis
Common: Canary Island date palm, pineapple palm
Family: Arecaceae (Palmae)
Origin: Canary Islands off coast of northwest Africa.
Landscape Use: Strong vertical accent, specimen, focal point, subtropical, a giant palm for very large urban spaces, parks.
Form & Character: Solitary, stout, evergreen, does not clump at the base as do other species of Phoenix, massive, upright.
Growth Habit: Slow until it develops a trunk, then vigorous and upright to 60 feet with occasional spread to 50 feet in California. Spread much reduced in Phoenix because of the oppressive heat.
Foliage/Texture: Feather palm with long sometimes half-twisting pinnately compound fronds to 20 feet long, frond pinnae paired, frond petiole scars broader than high; very coarse texture.
Flowers & Fruits: Dioecious; male flowers about 3/8 inch long, petals not acuminate, female flowers with calyx nearly as long as petals, all multiple branched yellow-orange flowers in winter. Fruits are oblong-ellipsoid shaped, yellowish to reddish in color when ripe, 3/4 inch long to 1/2 inch wide.
Seasonal Color: None
Stems/Trunks: Green trunk and branches, umbrella shape;. Branches have spines
Hardiness: Sunset 9, 12-24 - USDA 9-11 (arid and semi arid region best)
Comments:
In the landscape, this is a MASSIVE palm that is not for the faint of heart and is too large for most residential landscape spaces. Otherwise, Canary Island date palm can be maintained in large tub containers for years as small accent palm that looks like the top of a pineapple. But plant it in the ground and as Keith Jackson says, "Whoa Nellie!!", there it grows.
Cultural Requirements:
Exposure: Full sun; hardy to 20ºF
Water: Infrequent deep irrigations once established.
Soil: Tolerant of Phoenix soils and moderate alkalinity, but can develop symptoms of magnesium deficiency. If soils are fertile, then this palm will have deep green fronds and will become massive.
Propagation: Seed
For more info visit:
Arizona State University's Virtual Library of Phoenix Landscape Plants
Home Maintenance & Outdoor Living To-Do | #CanaryDatePalm
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Podcast
ISA Certified Arborist Sarah Maitland and Horticulturist Arborist Rebecca Senior discuss the Tree Of The Month: The Canary Island Date Palm; There are beautiful and interesting difference between the male and female palm. Plus, we chat about how the summer monsoon has brought out the Palo Verde Beetles, proper tree trimming to withstand monsoon storm winds, what it takes to be a Master Gardener and more!
Sponsored By: Integrity SavATree
Integrity SavATree is a commercial and residential tree care company specializing in tree maintenance and removals. They provide quality tree service to homes and businesses throughout the valley.
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