Fake Palms in Waco, Texas

[EastCanadaTropicals 89]

This is just pathetic. This is a southern 8b. 3825 Bosque Blvd
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5f9xtgcNG88Tpv578 They might not be able to afford palms, but still, sabals or Trachys would not be that expensive.

[CTho 20]

Probably couldn’t get a mature feather palm there, though!  It’s hard enough 100 miles south in Austin.

[NOT A TA 1,010]

But look! Christmas lights!

How much does a fake one cost anyway? Certainly couldn't sell them here!

[JLM 514]

They have potted Sagos and i saw at least one Trachy in a pot up against the building. Why not just plant the trachy???

Edit: They only have a small grass patch at the back of the building, they have a sago in the ground back there.

Edited January 25 by JLM

[climate change virginia 125]

they could plant a mule palm, that is just sad.

[Jim in Los Altos 2,356]

I like it. It’s an artistic piece that represents a palm but isn’t trying to fake anybody out since it’s not even green. It probably lights up at night to attract customers. 

[Josh-O 2,728]

7 minutes ago, Jim in Los Altos said:

I like it. It’s an artistic piece that represents a palm but isn’t trying to fake anybody out since it’s not even green. It probably lights up at night to attract customers. 

I could not agree more Jim. This is a sculpture that compliments the area void of palms.

[Josh-O 2,728]

52 minutes ago, EastCanadaTropicals said:

This is just pathetic. This is a southern 8b. 3825 Bosque Blvd
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5f9xtgcNG88Tpv578 They might not be able to afford palms, but still, sabals or Trachys would not be that expensive.

why so harsh bro?!?! would they rater put up a metal pine tree? The fact they put up a very nice palm tree sculpture is a great thing.

Stay positive. Palm talk is not about negativity

[jimmyt 512]

I go by there all the time.  There is a Harbor Freight store directly behind it.   They have had large potted sagos for a while.  The metal palm is wrapped in lights.  In their defense the building is on a solid concrete parking lot with no plant beds.  Potted trachys or washys wont get big enough to make an impression.  It does get cold enough in Waco every few years to take out outdoor potted palms.  Then imagine how hot the concrete and pot gets in the Texas summer!  2018 record high summer temp of 114 F was reached.   The metal palm is for the tropical ambience, Its a Snow Cone stand!  Just my 2 cents.

[EastCanadaTropicals 89]

4 minutes ago, jimmyt said:

I go by there all the time.  There is a Harbor Freight store directly behind it.   They have had large potted sagos for a while.  The metal palm is wrapped in lights.  In their defense the building is on a solid concrete parking lot with no plant beds.  Potted trachys or washys wont get big enough to make an impression.  It does get cold enough in Waco every few years to take out outdoor potted palms.  Then imagine how hot the concrete and pot gets in the Texas summer!  2018 record high summer temp of 114 F was reached.   The metal palm is for the tropical ambience, Its a Snow Cone stand!  Just my 2 cents.

Yeah they do have some Sagos at least.

[jimmyt 512]

Not much palm planting going on in Waco proper to say the least!   some of the newer businesses mostly.

[awkonradi 272]

I think it would be cool if they had a dozen of them!

[Meangreen94z 775]

Nice palm

[Lou-StAugFL 140]

My son is a Baylor University student and lives real close to that place. I've noticed it every time I'm in Waco.  Kind of funny,  not too much of a palm scene in Waco for sure and like others said I'm sure it draws attention to the business.    It's too bad there aren't many palms in the area since there are palms that would do well there.  But it may take extra work there,  it does get very hot and dry in the summers.  Of course they did just get multiple inches of snow a few weeks ago which wouldn't make it easy either.

Edited January 25 by Lou-StAugFL

[NBTX11 280]

There are palm trees in Waco.  I've seen them driving up I35, and I am sure there are some tucked away in neighborhoods.  A lot of hotels have big Washingtonias and such planted out front.  Is it Austin or San Antonio, no, but there are still a decent variety of palms that can grow in Waco to maturity.  W. Filifera should be long term viable in Waco.  Like 50 year plus viable.  I have seen 50-70 year old Filifera in Killeen Texas, which is not far from Waco, and I bet if I looked hard enough, I could find at least one in Waco also. 

Edited January 25 by NBTX11

[Josue Diaz 2,674]

I love the sculpture! Not pathetic in the least bit. Very artistic actually, and makes a cheery statement to an otherwise dreary corner. 

[JohnAndSancho 361]

Like Jimmy said, the winters get cold and that concrete would cook a real palm in the summer. I worked at an airport when I first moved to Texas, and when the air temps were around 100, temps on the ground were 130+ from all the heat radiating off the concrete.

 

Also I'm sure that art cost way more than a $30 or $50 palm tree. Thanks for sharing a cool piece of art. 

[redant 1,129]

Hard to do anything to ruin the landscaping in that area. I'm for the metal coconut.

[JLM 514]

At least it wont die in the cold lol

[Chester B 1,366]

14 hours ago, jimmyt said:

In their defense the building is on a solid concrete parking lot with no plant beds.  Potted trachys or washys wont get big enough to make an impression.  It does get cold enough in Waco every few years to take out outdoor potted palms.  Then imagine how hot the concrete and pot gets in the Texas summer!  2018 record high summer temp of 114 F was reached.   The metal palm is for the tropical ambience, Its a Snow Cone stand!  Just my 2 cents.

Exactly what I was thinking.

[jimmyt 512]

I live just outside Waco.  I have 2 Washingtonia hybrids, Palmetto, Mexicana, Chamaerops, in the ground for about 10 years with no problems.  There are scattered palm tree plantings residential and commercially around Waco.  Hotels and restaurants are beginning to use Trachys and Palmettos which are more survivable here.  Most residential plantings are planted from the big box stores and are robustas sold thru the big box store to the public.  Many a robusta had been killed in the past by freezing temps in Waco. Waco Wants Palms!  

[Mangosteen 268]

https://www.vox.com/2015/4/19/8445213/cell-phone-towers-trees

Edited January 26 by Mangosteen

[jimmyt 512]

30 minutes ago, Mangosteen said:

https://www.vox.com/2015/4/19/8445213/cell-phone-towers-trees

Ah No. to these.

[Fusca 1,643]

23 hours ago, jimmyt said:

The metal palm is for the tropical ambience, Its a Snow Cone stand!

Exactly, and the name of the place is "Cocos".  No chance for a real Cocos nucifera to grow there so a metal one will do nicely!

[Fusca 1,643]

1 hour ago, Mangosteen said:

https://www.vox.com/2015/4/19/8445213/cell-phone-towers-trees

They should use the saguaro towers in South Florida so they won't stand out as much! 

[amh 314]

1 hour ago, Mangosteen said:

https://www.vox.com/2015/4/19/8445213/cell-phone-towers-trees

 

1 minute ago, Fusca said:

They should use the saguaro towers in South Florida so they won't stand out as much! 

The sad things is that bare towers would be more inconspicuous.

[jimmyt 512]

Remember how we scoffed at the Metal Palm.  Well ours are fried and theirs still stand after Palmaggedon!  I took that picture yesterday as I passed by the snow cone stand after leaving the Harbor Freight store.

Edited yesterday at 02:30 AM by jimmyt

[Allen 528]

19 minutes ago, jimmyt said:

Remember how we scoffed at the Metal Palm.  Well ours are fried and theirs still stand after Palmaggedon! 

I mean seriously?  Even for a fake palm it's incredibly stupid.  Looks almost like they did the worst looking one for publicity.  I mean I googled fake palms and found a pretty decent one here:

http://www.artificialtree-plant.com/supplier-386695-artificial-palm-trees

 

 

Edited yesterday at 02:36 AM by Allen

[JohnAndSancho 361]

3 minutes ago, Allen said:

I mean seriously?  Even for a fake palm it's incredibly stupid.  Looks almost like they did the worst looking one for publicity

I see zero signs of winter damage on it though. 

[Reyes Vargas 193]

10 minutes ago, Allen said:

I mean seriously?  Even for a fake palm it's incredibly stupid.  Looks almost like they did the worst looking one for publicity.  I mean I googled fake palms and found a pretty decent one here:

http://www.artificialtree-plant.com/supplier-386695-artificial-palm-trees

 

 

They don't post prices either.  I wonder why?  Those are probably out of their price range.  People but what they can afford.

Edited yesterday at 02:44 AM by Reyes Vargas

[jimmyt 512]

It is probably a radio transmitter!

 

[amh 314]

25 minutes ago, Reyes Vargas said:

They don't post prices either.  I wonder why?  Those are probably out of their price range.  People but what they can afford.

Its Chinese, so there is probably a domestic drop ship counterpart.

[jimmyt 512]

The Humor in this all is killing me!

[JLM 514]

Well, at least its fronds blend in with most other palms now! I too see no signs of cold damage.

[HtownPalms 247]

Wow. People are hating on this specie of palm before they even see it in its full nighttime glory! 

[jimmyt 512]

2 hours ago, HtownPalms said:

Wow. People are hating on this specie of palm before they even see it in its full nighttime glory! 

Oohhh!  Pretty!  Wouldn’t I be the talk of the neighborhood with those neon palms!

[ahosey01 432]

23 hours ago, JohnAndSancho said:

I see zero signs of winter damage on it though. 

Was thinking how hilarious it would be if even the fake palms succumbed to the ice.

[amh 314]

51 minutes ago, jimmyt said:

Oohhh!  Pretty!  Wouldn’t I be the talk of the neighborhood with those neon palms!

Just add some pink flamingos.

[JohnAndSancho 361]

2 hours ago, ahosey01 said:

Was thinking how hilarious it would be if even the fake palms succumbed to the ice.

Took this photo from my office window on day one