Brahea edulis as a street planting palm

[kofawild]

What does the palm community know about the use of Brahea edulis as a street planting palm in southern California? Specifically I'm wondering if older installations of Brahea edulis were done B&B and at what sizes. I also wonder if anyone knows of specific places around LA or San Diego where large plantings of Brahea edulis can be found. Thanks.

[paulgila]

pacific beach in san diego has b.edulis as avenue plantings on garnet ave.check 1st 10 blocks from the beach but they may extend farther than that,even.

[DoomsDave]

Kofawild!

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!

Dysfunctional, but large and loving . . .

I recall seeing D. edulis in El Sereno. Which is a section of Los Angeles.

I'll look.

[Ryland]

To me, Brahea edulis in Southern California is a welcome break from the Washingtonias. They are at least as attractive as street plantings or individuals, with lush full crowns and sturdy trunks. They do very well in the climate down here as well. I haven't seen them along a boulevard in person, but I've seen pictures and they are never short of outstanding. I guess the reason they aren't used more often is the growth rate, bummer.

[BS Man about Palms]

I think they were very popular as avenue plantings in So Cal at one time as most I see planted like that tend to be pretty close in size.

A lot outside of the Huntington.

[merrill]

I remember there was a neighborhood with a lot of B. edulis street trees near Huntington. It was very attractive!

Very Truly,

merrill

[The Germinator]

LAX has a mass planting of armatas at the entrance.

[kofawild]

Thanks for the helpful information, everyone.

[fastfeat]

There are quite a few street plantings in SoCal. It is a recommended street tree in Street Trees Recommended for Southern California (of which I'm an author.) The one pictured in the book is in downtown Huntington Beach (Sixth St, I believe). Other plantings can be found around SoCal (Covina, LA, Riverside, etc.) If you want some specific locations, send me a PM and I'll see if I can supply some locations from my former employer.

Edited May 11, 2010 by fastfeat

[DoomsDave]

B. edulis are all over the place, most noticeable as 15-foot specimens, with 80-100 foot Washies right next to them, apparently mixed together back in ancient times when all fan palms were Washies, and Bizzies hadn't even been invented yet . . . .

[Kathryn]

I think we need some pictures!

[paulgila]

i have a gig in the area of SD where these are used as avenue plantings,i will try & get some pix. i think its a better choice than washies since they grow slower & you can appreciate them at "eye level" much longer.

[Kim]

There are some across the street from my house in the Point Loma area of San Diego, and they are frequently seen in the residential areas. They appear to have been planted by the homeowners, as you will see three or more in the parking strip along the street in front of one house, then something different along the rest of the street. They are all at least 30 years old, but most haven't attained much height because nobody waters them. No photos handy, but I can get some soon.

[Geoff]

I have seen them in many places as street trees in Los Angeles... but they rarely excite me enough to photograph them, so sadly I have only a few pics... here a shot of a road in Huntington Gardens, and one shot of a few down the street from me

[kofawild]

Thanks again for the info and pics. What's your guess--were these older plantings done B&B or from containers?

[fastfeat]

Thanks again for the info and pics. What's your guess--were these older plantings done B&B or from containers?

Nothing B&B in SoCal. Most probably went in as 15's, 24's or larger.

[PalmGuyWC]

I see a few scattered around in Walnut Creek, all about the same size, and probably about 30 to 40 years old. They do well in my climate, and have only been damaged once in the big freeze of 89/90. I was surprised how fast they grew new foliage after the freeze. Some grower must have had a lot to dump some years ago. I never see them available in nurserys in N. Calif.

Dick

[JasonD]

I see a few scattered around in Walnut Creek, all about the same size, and probably about 30 to 40 years old. They do well in my climate, and have only been damaged once in the big freeze of 89/90. I was surprised how fast they grew new foliage after the freeze. Some grower must have had a lot to dump some years ago. I never see them available in nurserys in N. Calif.

Dick

We grow them in pretty good quantities and I always try to keep an array of small ones plus a few specimens on hand at Flora Grubb Gardens.

I think it's an ideal street tree, aside from the copious fruiting. Just needs an annual pruning, I guess.

Take a look at your prize-worthy specimens in my post from tonight.