Palms blown over

[Palm Hound]

Anybody know of any palms that were blown over by wind (non-hurricane or mega storm)? Reportedly, some Caryota and Syagrus botryophora are blown over "fairly easily".  Are these palm roots smaller as a species? What make them blow over easier than other palms?

[Palm Hound]

This could cause some damage if it fell especially considering how dense the wood of Caryota is.

[chris.oz]

David,

Palms will fall over if  they develop basal rot,  or are attacked by termites.

Otherwise its rare  I believe .

As for Caryota,  depending on species,  the stems are monocarpic.  so they will fall over after flowering.

[madagascarbob]

Caryota's fall when there full of seed just from the weight . The infloresence on my Gigas is almost 15 feet long .

[_Keith]

My Syagrus has blown over twice, once in Hurricane Lili and once in a severe thunderstorm wind event.   This book, http://www.amazon.com/Stormsc....&sr=1-1 ,  details storm performance of various landscape trees including palms.  It was a good investment.

[Walter John]

I've had a bizzie and a triangle toppled to a certain degree by strong winds.

[surgeon83]

There was a Phoenix dactylifera that blew over in a thunderstorm here 3 years ago.  Peak wind gust was 66mph.  The trunk did have one of those strage areas of thinning, like so many that are posted here from time to time (and that's exactly where it snapped).

[Rusty on Pine Is.]

Any plant that grows quickly, like botryophora, put out stem growth at the expense of a deeper root system.....mine toppled when only 5 feet tall.   But that didnt seem to slow them down any.

[SunnyFl]

(chris.oz @ Mar. 08 2008,03:54)

QUOTE

David,

Palms will fall over if  they develop basal rot,  or are attacked by termites.

Otherwise its rare  I believe .

Hi Chris,

Some species fall over more easily than others.  Queen palms are known to blow over in hurricanes.  Other palms are less susceptible.  Phoenix roebelenii, for instance, is a toughie.   And as you said, a palm that is attacked by rot or termites can make it more likely to fall.

Keith, I have the Stormscaping book.  I think it should be read by every gardener/landscaper/homeowner in hurricane-prone areas.

[falcon1988]

Hi All,

My foxtail blew over yesterday with wind gusted at 40 mpg the palm was fighting to stay alive it had

a palm bores i couldn't cure it so mother nature helped it along if you see spikes sticking on the truck of the foxtail or sap/sawdust

the palm is doomed I wished i could have saved it I will take a pic of it tomorrow. and post it

[falcon1988]

Here's the wind damage to the foxtail