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Alicehunter2000's Beach Party by Ken Johnson


Ken Johnson

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A beautiful Copernicia Alba being installed right next to the pool!

More pics will come!

post-518-0-44243300-1365364913_thumb.jpg

Orlando, Florida

zone 9b

The Pollen Poacher!!

GO DOLPHINS!!

GO GATORS!!!

 

Palms, Sex, Money and horsepower,,,, you may have more than you can handle,,

but too much is never enough!!

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Thanks for the pictures Mark. Can't wait for the finished look of the landscape project. This landscape will have a instant mature look when finished.

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Thanks for the pictures Mark. Can't wait for the finished look of the landscape project. This landscape will have a instant mature look when finished.

You are welcome Scott.

Davids' yard went from a dry sandy empty lot to a palmy landscape in no time! I too can't wait to see the finished project, gonna be unreal!

Orlando, Florida

zone 9b

The Pollen Poacher!!

GO DOLPHINS!!

GO GATORS!!!

 

Palms, Sex, Money and horsepower,,,, you may have more than you can handle,,

but too much is never enough!!

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Wow, Mark can't believe you drove all the way back, downloaded pictures, and posted, with one hand half cut off! :bemused: I'm really impressed!

I am downloading pics to the computer now. Watered, and did some soil grooming this a.m, finished off oysters and took nap.

That big mule is a real beauty! We leaned it about 35 degrees toward the pool to give it a nice eventual curve. The alba that Ken brought has a solid limestone rock rootball.

A great team for the installation :greenthumb: :greenthumb: :greenthumb: :greenthumb: :greenthumb: :greenthumb:

David Simms zone 9a on Highway 30a

200 steps from the Gulf in NW Florida

30 ft. elevation and sandy soil

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David and crew, nice job! Great crane/mule shot...looks like it's floating in a sea of blue water. Been checking in every once in a while to see if any photos were posted. I figured everyone would be sleeping in late. :-) Mark must have had a lot of coffee in him. Appreciated the early pics though!

Edited by WestCoastGal

Zone 9b (formerly listed as Zone 9a); Sunset 14

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Thanks, WCG .... hopefully you can use the info for your project as well.

Here is a panaramic view of the truck arriving at 6:30 am. Willie, the driver from Fishbranch, was very helpful, and was there right on time. The guy and girl manning the shovels were hired from Labor Ready and were on the ball as well. Everyone was excited to see the palms in the ground!post-97-0-54791200-1365376769_thumb.jpg

David Simms zone 9a on Highway 30a

200 steps from the Gulf in NW Florida

30 ft. elevation and sandy soil

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I'm going to post a few more of the truck arriving and try to give everyone a sense of the timeline for the installation process.post-97-0-62482600-1365379015_thumb.jpgpost-97-0-30192200-1365378944_thumb.jpgpost-97-0-23477500-1365379060_thumb.jpg

David Simms zone 9a on Highway 30a

200 steps from the Gulf in NW Florida

30 ft. elevation and sandy soil

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Here is the first palm going in the ground.....a high flying 25 ft. W. robusta......post-97-0-67959500-1365380162_thumb.jpg

David Simms zone 9a on Highway 30a

200 steps from the Gulf in NW Florida

30 ft. elevation and sandy soil

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The Washie was my test.........Ken wanted to see me under pressure.....at least that's what I was thinking.....why else would he just be taking a nap..........

In all fairness, Ken was actually standing in the middle of the house in line of site with both me and the crane operator so we could signal the operator to the hole.............yes that's right..........the crane guy could not see anything! ......and don't forget the power lines just off the back fence.

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I'm glad we all had our coffee.......should be fully awake doing this!

David Simms zone 9a on Highway 30a

200 steps from the Gulf in NW Florida

30 ft. elevation and sandy soil

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Amazing! Keep the pics coming!

Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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Keep the pictures coming. You have done in a day, what many of us take 5 to 10 years to accomplish.

In my post I sometimes express "my" opinion. Warning, it may differ from "your" opinion. If so, please do not feel insulted, just state your own if you wish. Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or any other damages

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Ok, 2 more before bed.............this Livistonia saribus is a beautiful tree and was unloaded to the side early in the process. Here is Ken directing the crane operator/owner (Randy) from R&R Crane Service to drop the palm down in the front for later install. Look at the teeth on those petioles! :bemused:

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post-97-0-89595000-1365389079_thumb.jpg

David Simms zone 9a on Highway 30a

200 steps from the Gulf in NW Florida

30 ft. elevation and sandy soil

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How did you get so lucky to have what? 6 utility lines going in a vertical plane on your nearby utility pole! What a nightmare for trees growing nearby. I assume everything went in okay without incident but curious if you think you will have issues with trimming at a later date.

That was some crane you had and that 25 ft Washy s-u-r-e looked tall. Did you have a crowd outside on the street watching the install? We still can't get over how sandy your soil is.

Hey, just watching Vanilla Ice now as I'm posting and they are doing their palm landscaping and tiki setup episode. Ice had some problems with his curved coconut palm installation that was angled in the sandy soil. Needed to anchor it since it started falling into the water. I don't envy you guys who have to dig holes in the sand.

Looking forward to more pics.

Zone 9b (formerly listed as Zone 9a); Sunset 14

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Here is the L.Saribus being placed, i was glad that i got there in time to see it.

David is directing the crane.

I drank Diet Coke all the way home and was wired for sound!

I cut my finger pretty good shucking oysters (i know, a rookie).

My drive was 10 hours there loaded and Ken was ALOT further away! We all timed our delivery and everything went perfect. David now knows how to fly a crane and install big palms!

post-518-0-52787900-1365420021_thumb.jpg

Orlando, Florida

zone 9b

The Pollen Poacher!!

GO DOLPHINS!!

GO GATORS!!!

 

Palms, Sex, Money and horsepower,,,, you may have more than you can handle,,

but too much is never enough!!

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Here is a rare sight! David sitting down after we dragged a huge Pony Tail Palm in a plant dolly all the way into the back of the property through sugar sand.

post-518-0-49506800-1365420192_thumb.jpg

Orlando, Florida

zone 9b

The Pollen Poacher!!

GO DOLPHINS!!

GO GATORS!!!

 

Palms, Sex, Money and horsepower,,,, you may have more than you can handle,,

but too much is never enough!!

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Another cool shot. A P.Sylvestris flying high! This joker is a monster.

post-518-0-22712800-1365420308_thumb.jpg

Orlando, Florida

zone 9b

The Pollen Poacher!!

GO DOLPHINS!!

GO GATORS!!!

 

Palms, Sex, Money and horsepower,,,, you may have more than you can handle,,

but too much is never enough!!

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Here is a buddy of mine (Mark Barnett) that helped me deliver. He drove the 4ft ct Mule and the 3ft ct Mule w/ his truck.

He earned that frosty beverage!!

post-518-0-97561300-1365420550_thumb.jpg

Orlando, Florida

zone 9b

The Pollen Poacher!!

GO DOLPHINS!!

GO GATORS!!!

 

Palms, Sex, Money and horsepower,,,, you may have more than you can handle,,

but too much is never enough!!

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Here is the Sylvestris being placed.

post-518-0-35842600-1365420746_thumb.jpg

Orlando, Florida

zone 9b

The Pollen Poacher!!

GO DOLPHINS!!

GO GATORS!!!

 

Palms, Sex, Money and horsepower,,,, you may have more than you can handle,,

but too much is never enough!!

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Finishing touches!

David Simms is on the right in the orange Alice cooper shirt. He wore that shirt so the palmtalk peeps would know who he is!!

I can quite make out what the cool palm is on the far left of this photo with the pink tag on it.........is that S. amara?

post-518-0-65683600-1365364010_thumb.jpg

Larry 

Palm Harbor, FL 10a / Ft Myers, FL 10b

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Finishing touches!

David Simms is on the right in the orange Alice cooper shirt. He wore that shirt so the palmtalk peeps would know who he is!!

I can quite make out what the cool palm is on the far left of this photo with the pink tag on it.........is that S. amara?

post-518-0-65683600-1365364010_thumb.jpg

It is not a S.Amara. It is a beautiful Queen specimen. I even commented on that particular palm as well!

S.Amara would not make it that far north

Orlando, Florida

zone 9b

The Pollen Poacher!!

GO DOLPHINS!!

GO GATORS!!!

 

Palms, Sex, Money and horsepower,,,, you may have more than you can handle,,

but too much is never enough!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Finishing touches!

David Simms is on the right in the orange Alice cooper shirt. He wore that shirt so the palmtalk peeps would know who he is!!

I can quite make out what the cool palm is on the far left of this photo with the pink tag on it.........is that S. amara?

post-518-0-65683600-1365364010_thumb.jpg

It is not a S.Amara. It is a beautiful Queen specimen. I even commented on that particular palm as well!

S.Amara would not make it that far north

And so many people here are hate'n on queens all the time, that one looks really nice.

Corpus Christi, TX, near salt water, zone 9b/10a! Except when it isn't and everything gets nuked.

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Finishing touches!

David Simms is on the right in the orange Alice cooper shirt. He wore that shirt so the palmtalk peeps would know who he is!!

I can quite make out what the cool palm is on the far left of this photo with the pink tag on it.........is that S. amara?

post-518-0-65683600-1365364010_thumb.jpg

It is not a S.Amara. It is a beautiful Queen specimen. I even commented on that particular palm as well!

S.Amara would not make it that far north

Incredible. I dont recall seeing one that looked that nice.

I was suspucious of amara in the Panhandle, but with the Gulf that close thought maybe someone got adventuresome :-) Ive been down that road a few times......LOL

Larry 

Palm Harbor, FL 10a / Ft Myers, FL 10b

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Every palm looks its best, Ken sure grows high quality material. I particularly like those Livistona decora, the trunks, boot color and the pruning pattern rivals Phoenix sylvestris. Did the Dypsis make it into the pool planter yet?

Frank

 

Zone 9b pine flatlands

humid/hot summers; dry/cool winters

with yearly freezes

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The Dypsis cabadae and C. macrocarpa have been left under some of the other trees with a huge pile of sand on the rootballs. They will have to be installed when the pool is a little further along....just trying to keep them wet and out of the sun as much as possible.

Here was the most scary palm to install, the tree is much bigger than it looks. The weight of the Sabal causiarum was around 5K lbs and the crane had a lot of difficulty reaching across over 100 ft. to place it. Ken powow'd with the operator who agreed to first sit it near the pool which was closer to 50 ft.

Then we were going to slowly work it laterally between some already planted palms. When he attempted to do so, three of the outriggers got real light and shifted the whole machine. Our crane operator almost walked away from the job. Ken talked him into staying and working out a plan of attack.

We then re-positioned the crane and outriggers 10 more feet laterally across the front of the house which got him 10 more feet closer to the hole. He was right up against the front porch of the house...with not an inch to spare. This was just enough to get him close so we could push and swing it into the hole..............VERY stressfull :blink::blink: .....even the heavier Phoenix was not as bad because we were able to place it in the woods then pluck it out and put it into a much closer hole. I learned alot about cranes very quickly.

I'm glad my next-door neighbors were not at home, they would have been freaking.

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post-97-0-40539500-1365463746_thumb.jpg

David Simms zone 9a on Highway 30a

200 steps from the Gulf in NW Florida

30 ft. elevation and sandy soil

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The Dypsis cabadae and C. macrocarpa have been left under some of the other trees with a huge pile of sand on the rootballs. They will have to be installed when the pool is a little further along....just trying to keep them wet and out of the sun as much as possible.

Here was the most scary palm to install, the tree is much bigger than it looks. The weight of the Sabal causiarum was around 5K lbs and the crane had a lot of difficulty reaching across over 100 ft. to place it. Ken powow'd with the operator who agreed to first sit it near the pool which was closer to 50 ft.

Then we were going to slowly work it laterally between some already planted palms. When he attempted to do so, three of the outriggers got real light and shifted the whole machine. Our crane operator almost walked away from the job. Ken talked him into staying and working out a plan of attack.

We then re-positioned the crane and outriggers 10 more feet laterally across the front of the house which got him 10 more feet closer to the hole. He was right up against the front porch of the house...with not an inch to spare. This was just enough to get him close so we could push and swing it into the hole..............VERY stressfull :blink::blink: .....even the heavier Phoenix was not as bad because we were able to place it in the woods then pluck it out and put it into a much closer hole. I learned alot about cranes very quickly.

I'm glad my next-door neighbors were not at home, they would have been freaking.

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Wow David, all those great specimens, fantastic! Looks like you guys had a hard job, bet the beer was welcome. That 5000lb+ causiarum is a real beast, Im sure you next door neighbor would have had serious anxiety watching, LOL! Good thing it wasnt planted indoors at his house by accident.... :floor: I look forward to seeing it all when its done!

Formerly in Gilbert AZ, zone 9a/9b. Now in Palmetto, Florida Zone 9b/10a??

 

Tom Blank

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David, given the size of the palms and despite how good your crane guy and crew were, I'm not the least bit surprised there were tense moments. I thought I noticed the crane right up to the front of the house in one of the early photos. Figured it was going to be tight. Those palms were giants. If I were there onsite I probably wouldn't have any nails left :-). I have to admit I was pretty nervous when our two mules were craned and we had a lot more side yard and no over-the-house lifting either. It was something fascinating to watch though and I won't forget it. Lots of admiration for the skill of the crane guy. It really is dangerous work and they earn their pay. Glad no one got hurt.

Hey, you've got some great palms there. In particular I liked the L saribus and the P sylvestris. Beautiful trunks and canopies on both. Can't wait to see that giant S causiarum and the rest in the ground when all is said and done. From the glimpse of the house in some of the photos things look like they are moving along. What's your next major hurdle?

Zone 9b (formerly listed as Zone 9a); Sunset 14

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Looking great! Your soil looks like pure beach sand. Do you amend with anything When planting?

Grateful to have what I have, Les amis de mes amis sont mes amis!

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Here is the second Mule to go into the ground. Don Martin is hooking it up.

post-518-0-77260200-1365502972_thumb.jpg

Orlando, Florida

zone 9b

The Pollen Poacher!!

GO DOLPHINS!!

GO GATORS!!!

 

Palms, Sex, Money and horsepower,,,, you may have more than you can handle,,

but too much is never enough!!

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And here it is flying.

post-518-0-56526100-1365503045_thumb.jpg

Orlando, Florida

zone 9b

The Pollen Poacher!!

GO DOLPHINS!!

GO GATORS!!!

 

Palms, Sex, Money and horsepower,,,, you may have more than you can handle,,

but too much is never enough!!

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Home at last!!

post-518-0-45836700-1365503121_thumb.jpg

Orlando, Florida

zone 9b

The Pollen Poacher!!

GO DOLPHINS!!

GO GATORS!!!

 

Palms, Sex, Money and horsepower,,,, you may have more than you can handle,,

but too much is never enough!!

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3rd Mule to in the front. Ken and David guide the crane operator to it's final home.

post-518-0-62167600-1365503434_thumb.jpg

Orlando, Florida

zone 9b

The Pollen Poacher!!

GO DOLPHINS!!

GO GATORS!!!

 

Palms, Sex, Money and horsepower,,,, you may have more than you can handle,,

but too much is never enough!!

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David and I are positioning it just right w/ a little angle to curve it away from the house.

post-518-0-34475400-1365503576_thumb.jpg

Orlando, Florida

zone 9b

The Pollen Poacher!!

GO DOLPHINS!!

GO GATORS!!!

 

Palms, Sex, Money and horsepower,,,, you may have more than you can handle,,

but too much is never enough!!

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Thats a lot of instant gratification you got there. You picked some great palms and they all look super healthy.

Jupiter FL

in the Zone formally known as 10A

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Here is the L.Saribus being placed, i was glad that i got there in time to see it.

David is directing the crane.

I drank Diet Coke all the way home and was wired for sound!

I cut my finger pretty good shucking oysters (i know, a rookie).

My drive was 10 hours there loaded and Ken was ALOT further away! We all timed our delivery and everything went perfect. David now knows how to fly a crane and install big palms!

That saribus is plain danged gawdgeous. I am so jealous.

In my post I sometimes express "my" opinion. Warning, it may differ from "your" opinion. If so, please do not feel insulted, just state your own if you wish. Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or any other damages

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That's got to be one of the nicest P. sylvestris I've ever seen. The whole project looks great.

Woodville, FL

zone 8b

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I have been waiting for all of this to sort of sink in before I posted to much of my story. Planning for a job for 6 months was one thing but the execution of these types of jobs must be perfect or else the costs really skyrocket. The game was on!

David was the ultimate "do it yourself" contractor. His hard work and investigative skills paid off time and time again. David found Fishbranch nursery and the crane service. He and I interviewed several potential installers but in the end decided to " do it on our own". Many of you that commented here on PalmTalk gave us ideas that we were able to throw around and we both thank all of you for that!

The install WAS intense, whenever you see the crane outriggers lift off the ground you know it's going to get interesting! At lunch time I was looking for some hot dogs or a sub and there was no way to leave or even stop to ask....then came the next smart idea i had for the day...oysters. Now eating 35 raw oysters for lunch is not the MOST well rounded meal but the horseradish and tomato sauce counted for fruits and vegetables right?

When it was all over David and I could hardly walk..Good thing we both have fast trucks because we raced home to Davids house where Evana, David's lovely wife and our gracious hostess, served us some water....and food. We had been at it for about 14 hours by that point and the next day I would drive 13 hours to get home! Florida is a LONG State!

I DIG PALMS

Call me anytime to chat about transplanting palms.

305-345-8918

https://www.facebook...KenJohnsonPalms

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How's Mark's hand doing? Those oyster shucking knives scare me.

I bet you guys were exhausted by the end of the install and then knowing you had a drive in front of you. As someone who has enjoyed seeing the photos of the palms going in, want to say thanks to you, Mark and David for taking the time to post them.

Zone 9b (formerly listed as Zone 9a); Sunset 14

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Many people in Cajun country now wear a single Kevlar glove in holding hand. Pretty much every fishing related store down here sells them.

In my post I sometimes express "my" opinion. Warning, it may differ from "your" opinion. If so, please do not feel insulted, just state your own if you wish. Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or any other damages

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Hey everyone, have been busy bracing the trees for possible bad weather and have also started back to work. Been trying to water deep everyday....so haven't had much time to post....will try and post more this weekend. Anyway, here is more pictures. We installed 3 Livistonia decora...........these have a great papery base at the petiole, very interesting.

post-97-0-02839700-1365685364_thumb.jpgpost-97-0-61031600-1365685414_thumb.jpgpost-97-0-89283200-1365685457_thumb.jpgpost-97-0-48482500-1365685492_thumb.jpg

David Simms zone 9a on Highway 30a

200 steps from the Gulf in NW Florida

30 ft. elevation and sandy soil

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