Types Of Palm Trees
Learn About The Different Types of Palm Trees
There are many different types of palm trees. They are most commonly described as tropical plants, but you can plant hardy cold-weather palms that will be fine as long as your temperatures don't drop below -20F. Palm trees can survive even in northern Canada and Switzerland.
Palm trees are similar to banana trees, in that they help to give your garden a tropical look. They can often be found near recreation areas and pools. Once they are established, palm trees are not difficult to maintain, and are not overly susceptible to disease or infestation by insects.
The two basic types of palm trees are southern and northern palms. The northern varieties are also called “cold palms”, and are very adaptable to cold climates.
Northern palms:
The Afghanistan Palm, also known as the Mazari Palm and the Pakistan Palm, is one of the hardiest cold palms, according to botanists who work with palm trees. They have edible fruit that is eaten in the poor areas of the world where they grow. This particular palm thrives in the cold and dry conditions of the area where it grows, and it matures very slowly.
The Sabal minor or Dwarf Palmetto is another of the hardier types of palm trees. It is sometimes called the Blue Palmetto and it is found in the Southeastern areas of the United States. This palm grows to about six feet tall if it is planted in shady areas. It grows very strong in the wild, but is difficult to transplant.
The Needle Palm, also known as the Rhapidophyllum hystrix, is a needle-type palm. They are among the most frost-hardy palms you can find, and can survive weather below -20F with very little damage.
Southern palms:
The Sabal Palmetto or Cabbage Palm is also known as the Palmetto Palm or the Sabal Palm. This is the state tree of Florida and South Carolina. It is a very popular landscape tree in the southern states. This tree is easy to transplant and withstands some cold weather. This is also one of the types of palm trees that are tolerant of salt water, so they do well planted near the ocean.
The Canary Island Date Palm is also known as the Majestic palm. It is a very “tropical” looking palm tree, which can add that look to your garden or yard. These trees can grow up to fifty feet tall, and their leaves may exceed fifteen feet in length.
The Chinese Fan Palm is a tree that grows very slowly. It will bear large leaves, which make the tree, when fully grown, look like a tropical weeping willow. This palm tree can live in temperatures below zero, and they can be grown inside, on patios. This palm is also found near highways, and can grow up to twenty-five feet tall.