steve99 932 Report post Posted July 2, 2016 I've seen some ugly palms before, but surely this group of Caryota I saw while working in Brisbane today is the ugliest of them all? I doudt I'll ever plant this species in my garden ! Then agian, some Palmtalkers might think they look fantastic. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Josh-O 2,326 Report post Posted July 2, 2016 yikes! Caryota maxima and urens are very short lived palms indeed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve99 932 Report post Posted July 2, 2016 Yep, probably planted some time back in the 70's Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
realarch 2,629 Report post Posted July 2, 2016 Not my favorites either. Tim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pip 723 Report post Posted July 2, 2016 Did they look nice before they began flowering? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 1,273 Report post Posted July 2, 2016 For me its coconut,palmera and royal palms we had coconut and royals in our garden.we had to cut it down as it was droping dried fronds and nuts into our neighbour's house.in that area they used to park their vehicles and their kids used to play. These palms are good only to ranches or farm house in rural areas or city outskirts. And its very common to my place.. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ben in Norcal 972 Report post Posted July 2, 2016 Yeah, I'd think those looked better before flowering? For me, the Gaussia genus is up there in terms of fugly palms! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brad Mondel 467 Report post Posted July 3, 2016 Some Chamaerops mutants are pretty ugly. Like dick douglas Chamaerops: 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ben in Norcal 972 Report post Posted July 3, 2016 2 minutes ago, Brad Mondel said: Some Chamaerops mutants are pretty ugly. Like dick douglas Chamaerops: Yeah, that's another bad one. Patric Schafer tried to get me to take one of those...yeah, no thanks!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Las Palmas Norte 234 Report post Posted July 3, 2016 Ugly in my eyes are those old 100' W. robusta. A tiny crown of leaves on top of a ridiculously elongated skinny 100' trunk. Cheers, Barrie. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dalmatiansoap 255 Report post Posted July 3, 2016 Overpruned CIDP. Can't beat that one 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tropicgardener 269 Report post Posted July 3, 2016 Poorly grown Majestics and Queens top my list. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gonzer 944 Report post Posted July 3, 2016 On 7/1/2016 9:10:16, steve99 said: Yep, probably planted some time back in the 70's Well, that's like judging how someone looked 40 years ago now that their teeth have fallen out, their ears have sprouted hair, and doctor visits are the only exercise they get. 1 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matthew92 736 Report post Posted July 3, 2016 Overtrimmed, yellowing Sabals- come to Northwest Florida to see these galore!!! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthSeaNate 89 Report post Posted July 3, 2016 Trachycarpus fortunei growing in hot Med climates or by the sea in cooler climates , like this one in the UK... 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
palmsOrl 142 Report post Posted July 3, 2016 20 hours ago, Brad Mondel said: Some Chamaerops mutants are pretty ugly. Like dick douglas Chamaerops: I would still grow that one though, just for the curiosity. I have seen some fairly attractive and impressive Caryota, but many are pretty homely (to just plain ugly). I knew there was a reason I had none and have passed over on free seed many times. I agree with Gaussia being an ugly genus. Slender crownshaft palms are my favorite, but Gaussia fits well with what an ugly slender crownshaft palm would look like! Nonetheless, I have a Gaussia maya growing in the shade next to a large oak and it has not yet developed the ugly, ratty characteristics, Cocos, no way, but I have seen some un-cared for individuals that were. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JJD 153 Report post Posted July 4, 2016 Neglected Manila Palms (adonidia merrillii) in Manila. When neglected they tend to not grow straight and termites love them and unfortunately there's far more neglected, then cared for Manila Palms in Manila. The best ones I have seen in the Philippines are in Batanes Island, 2nd pic......Also, Makiling Botanical Garden has some nice tall ones. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Darold Petty 1,229 Report post Posted July 4, 2016 The perennial favorite in California will always be a neglected Washingtonia robusta ! 2 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redbeard917 153 Report post Posted July 4, 2016 18 hours ago, Opal92 said: Overtrimmed, yellowing Sabals- come to Northwest Florida to see these galore!!! Agreed. In my opinion, they should be planted from pots, not transplanted, in this area. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
topwater 530 Report post Posted July 4, 2016 Double agreed. I don't understand why my local government plants these guys everywhere only to hack them to death. It makes me cringe. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 1,273 Report post Posted July 13, 2016 (edited) Here is a still of a young date palm which was a disturbance to pedestrians. ...and see what they have done.in the name of trimming. This house is in my neighbour hood. Btw. I used to admire this date palm as its fronds were dark green in colour. And hoped that it grow up into healthy date palm bearing fruits. But people have virtually destroyed it. And made it appear ugly. Edited July 13, 2016 by Kris 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.SamuraiSword 441 Report post Posted July 13, 2016 Ive Always Loved Palmetto palms like these but not overtrimmed like these Uglier still are the untrimmed Washingtonias with their shaggy old man beards. also, short pindo palms arent quite attractive either. and who could forget the potted majesty palms? (basically they are just ferns. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hbernstein 80 Report post Posted July 13, 2016 (edited) Got no pictures. Queen Palms in South Florida have got to be among the world champs of Arecaceae ugliness. Typically nutrient starved, underwatered, and improperly planted. They seem to be used as a cheap afterthought when landscaping is the last thing that a developer or homeowner wants to spend any money on. Edited July 13, 2016 by hbernstein grammar 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.SamuraiSword 441 Report post Posted July 13, 2016 12 hours ago, hbernstein said: Got no pictures. Queen Palms in South Florida have got to be among the world champs of Arecaceae ugliness. Typically nutrient starved, underwatered, and improperly planted. They seem to be used as a cheap afterthought when landscaping is the last thing that a developer or homeowner wants to spend any money on. they grow in georgia and look even worse there! they also look bad in the western states as they wither during droughts and virtually die of dehydration. heres one in georgia 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
enigma99 341 Report post Posted July 13, 2016 How about queens that don't get ANY water during the hot summer months in California? oh yeah..... 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tracy 2,243 Report post Posted July 13, 2016 On 7/3/2016, 4:23:36, Gonzer said: Well, that's like judging how someone looked 40 years ago now that their teeth have fallen out, their ears have sprouted hair, and doctor visits are the only exercise they get. I have to agree. A nicely grown and not oversized Caryota gigas or no, in with other palms can look quite nice. I have a gigas in Carlsbad, which always generated compliments and curiosity. My wife insisted on a Caryota in the new yard, but I didn't want to dedicate the space to another gigas, so planted Caryota no which is still quite young. Perhaps it is in the eye of the beholder? On the flip side, over planting of Phoenix roebelenii, Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, Washingtonia robusta, and Syagrus here in Southern California have taken them off my taste palette. Not that they are intrinsically unattractive, but I personally have visual fatigue, seeing them in so many yards. Straight outta Home Depot plantings. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff_Cabinda 66 Report post Posted July 30, 2017 On Sat Jul 02 2016 05:01:40 GMT+0100, Josh-O said: yikes! Caryota maxima and urens are very short lived palms indeed Anyone knows what is max life expectancy and heigth for caryota maxima? Ps: I don't like them too much but I find their long fruity hairs very gracious sometimes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Missi 803 Report post Posted July 31, 2017 I have a trio of Phoenix roebelenii that were planted at the front center of my house by either the builders or original owners of the property. They have GOT to go. Just not sure what to put there instead, and I need SOMETHING there for the Christmas lights Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cikas 303 Report post Posted July 31, 2017 On 03. 07. 2016., Brad Mondel said: Some Chamaerops mutants are pretty ugly. Like dick douglas Chamaerops: I like the look of that palm. It looks interesting . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alberto 1,355 Report post Posted July 31, 2017 On 03/07/2016 03:50:42, Las Palmas Norte said: Ugly in my eyes are those old 100' W. robusta. A tiny crown of leaves on top of a ridiculously elongated skinny 100' trunk. Cheers, Barrie. Sorry, but in my eyes this is fantastic. 1 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jdiaz31089 942 Report post Posted July 31, 2017 (edited) 13 minutes ago, Alberto said: Sorry, but in my eyes this is fantastic. I agree! Trimmed washingtonia are very pleasing in my opinion. Untrimmed, they are the nastiest looking palms where I live. Here's a stretch of country road with century-old palms on my way home. Edited July 31, 2017 by Jdiaz31089 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PalmTreeDude 1,061 Report post Posted August 1, 2017 2 hours ago, Alberto said: Sorry, but in my eyes this is fantastic. Where is that? Are those in the woods? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PalmTreeDude 1,061 Report post Posted August 1, 2017 The things that are ugly in my eyes are over pruned coconuts, they are amazing when they are full of fronds, but when over pruned they just look nasty, why would someone want that? (picture credit: http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/palm-damage.shtml) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LasPalmerasDeMaryland 6 Report post Posted February 7 I think this species may take the cake xD http://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/Hyphaene_reptans Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Merlyn2220 72 Report post Posted February 8 There are a lot of good candidates, my picks are probably the bearded Washingtonias and pretty much anything severely overpruned. There are tons of hacked up Sabals around here. I don't particularly care for the Caryota No or Urens, but I've got Gigas/Obtusa seedlings growing now. I like the giant, wide triangle fronds on them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sabal_Louisiana 24 Report post Posted February 10 As for species...Well, they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Every day I see horrid examples of neglected palms that could easily be much nicer if they were better maintained. Freeze damaged ones long after the event that have been ignored are the worst. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waykoolplantz 297 Report post Posted February 10 Pardon the repetition...ugliest honors goes to Mule palms...wearing the worst characteristic of both parents. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
