Palm spacing for driveway

[cagary]

I have a 400+ foot driveway that runs parallel with my neighbor's driveway (I'm standing on his in the photo). I want to plant palms down the center between the driveways.

What would be the right spacing for either Carpoxylon macrospermum or Chambeyronia Macrocarpa palms? Haven't decided which to use. I'm thinking 20 foot spacing???

Are both palms going to do well in Pepeekeo (Big Island) at 350' elevation 3/4 of a mile from the water in full sun?

Any other palms that might be a better choice?

[Peter]

Clinostigma?

[bgl]

Gary,

Both those palms will take full sun in that location, except that the Carpoxylons would need to be at least 5 ft tall or so in order to accept full sun without burning. I would probably go for a somewhat tighter planting. 15-18 ft center to center. But my preference would be Clinostigma samoense. Much faster than either of the two you mentioned and would also create a much more impressive driveway look. Plant a 5 ft tall C. samoense today, and five years from now it'll be 20 ft tall. A samoense frond is about 14-15 ft long so if you plant them 28 ft center to center, they would JUST barely be touching. My personal preference is a tighter look with some overlapping, and exactly how much is obviously a personal preference. Anywhere from 18 to 24 ft center to center will create a fantastic look.

Good luck! Looks exciting!

Bo-Göran

[Dr. George]

Selection and spacing depends a lot on the look and function that you are going for. Most of the palms we have in Kona are planted at 10 ft spacing.

Both the Carpoxylon and Chamberyonia should do well in full sun in your location. If you are looking for large, fast growing, attractive you might also consider Clinostigma samoense. Not as large as these but very attractive and will give you a screen between the driveways would be Areca vestiaria. You could could space your large palms at 20 ft intervals and fill in the space between with small/fuller species like the A. vestiaria or some of the Ptychosperma sp. or some of the clumping Dypsis sp. or Pinanga coronata (which likes sun).

gmp

[Walter John]

I wouldn't be going for large solitary palms. I'd be using clumping palms that would ultimately fill the void between each planting. Dypsis pembana would be my choice followed by Ptychosperma robusta. Also the large palms will be dropping large leaves onto your neighbour's driveway by the looks of the narrowish gap between driveways.

If though you must choose the large solitary palm, listen to Bo, Clinostigma be thy name.

The good Doctor has some good ideas as well.

[Dr. George]

Here are 2 groups of Clinostigma samoense planted at 15 ft spacing as 15 gal Spring 2009, and now Fall 2011 with other species planted in between them.

Group 1

Group 2

Hope this is helpful - gmp

[Kim]

Your personal preferences will determine the ultimate result and that is the whole point. Carpoxylon would be gorgeous if you can find enough that are large enough to make it work. Clinostigma samoense is the perfect choice for instant effect. The crowns are shapely to perfection. Chambeyronia would be lovely, but in my opinion, the sparser crowns look better in tighter groups, 3 here, 5 there. Maybe not ideal for lining a driveway. My personal choice would be Neoveitchia storckii, but they would take some time to make that statement look. Enjoy the creative process and let us know which direction you decide to go.

[realarch]

Hi Gary, great looking place. Wow! You know Gary, I'd mix it up a bit using both Clinostigma and Carpoxylons with maybe a grouping of Warszewiczia coccinea in between at various intervals. A smaller tree or colorful

shrub would break the monotony of just palms and look great approaching and continuing up the drive.

[Peter]

I agree with Tim; break it up with some beautiful flowering trees and shrubs. What a palette to choose from there.

[cagary]

Thanks everyone for some really great ideas.

Going to have to think about it for awhile.

Not ready to do any planting right now, but I'll be sure to post some photos when I do.