Plant palms in DC

[climate change virginia]

Hi I have a proposal to plant hardy palms in dc here are some reasons. One they provide shade not too much but planted near each other such as sabal palmettos they provide a good amount of shade. Two they are tolerant of our winters (with protection) like sabal palmettos and trachycarpus fortunei. Three they will reduce urban heat. Urban heat is a big problem in dc in some hotspots the temperature rises 10 defrees than other areas of the city and vegetation reduces urban heat. Four infrastructure palm roots dont destroy sidewalks as much as oaks do. Lastly they will attract more tourists they will want to see palms in a colder climate. Thats all I have. 

Edited October 27, 2020 by climate change virginia

[climate change virginia]

1 hour ago, climate change virginia said:

Hi I have a proposal to plant hardy palms in dc here are some reasons. One they provide shade not too much but planted near each other such as sabal palmettos they provide a good amount of shade. Two they are tolerant of our winters (with protection) like sabal palmettos and trachycarpus fortunei. Three they will reduce urban heat. Urban heat is a big problem in dc in some hotspots the temperature rises 10 defrees than other areas of the city and vegetation reduces urban heat. Four infrastructure palm roots dont destroy sidewalks as much as oaks do. Lastly they will attract more tourists they will want to see palms in a colder climate. Thats all I have. 

When I said Palmetto I meant 'Birmingham'

[Nj Palms]

Birminghams are extremely slow and finnicky. They are a more tender than S.Minor.  Best sabal for the Mid-Atlantic in my opinion is S.Lousiana. They are very fast growers compared to minor and have just about the same hardiness.

[climate change virginia]

12 minutes ago, Nj Palms said:

Birminghams are extremely slow and finnicky. They are a more tender than S.Minor.  Best sabal for the Mid-Atlantic in my opinion is S.Lousiana. They are very fast growers compared to minor and have just about the same hardiness.

Minors are not too tall and they don't provide shade you have to lay down to get shade but I see where your coming from.

[ESVA]

58 minutes ago, climate change virginia said:

Minors are not too tall and they don't provide shade you have to lay down to get shade but I see where your coming from.

Sabal minor var. Louisiana does eventually form a trunk.  I've got one I grew some seed (probably 15 years ago). Trunk is about 1 foot out of the ground (but no trunk clear of boots yet). Maybe mine will start growing faster now that it's trunking. Think it doubled in size this summer.  The Lousianas may form trunks faster farther South with the longer hot, humid summers they need. Think I have seen pictures of mature Louisianas tall enough so that you could sit under their shade.  Most palms don't cast a very big shadow. I spent an afternoon on Honeymoon beach down near Clearwater FL trying without much luck to keep from getting sunburned beneath a Sabal etonia bush. 

[climate change virginia]

18 hours ago, ESVA said:

Sabal minor var. Louisiana does eventually form a trunk.  I've got one I grew some seed (probably 15 years ago). Trunk is about 1 foot out of the ground (but no trunk clear of boots yet). Maybe mine will start growing faster now that it's trunking. Think it doubled in size this summer.  The Lousianas may form trunks faster farther South with the longer hot, humid summers they need. Think I have seen pictures of mature Louisianas tall enough so that you could sit under their shade.  Most palms don't cast a very big shadow. I spent an afternoon on Honeymoon beach down near Clearwater FL trying without much luck to keep from getting sunburned beneath a Sabal etonia bush. 

Wow I didnt know that

[Jimhardy]

On 10/27/2020 at 8:47 AM, climate change virginia said:

Hi I have a proposal to plant hardy palms in dc here are some reasons. One they provide shade not too much but planted near each other such as sabal palmettos they provide a good amount of shade. Two they are tolerant of our winters (with protection) like sabal palmettos and trachycarpus fortunei. Three they will reduce urban heat. Urban heat is a big problem in dc in some hotspots the temperature rises 10 defrees than other areas of the city and vegetation reduces urban heat. Four infrastructure palm roots dont destroy sidewalks as much as oaks do. Lastly they will attract more tourists they will want to see palms in a colder climate. Thats all I have. 

Well....reason #5 is climate change virginia

[climate change virginia]

2 minutes ago, Jimhardy said:

Well....reason #5 is climate change virginia

? i dont see what ur saying

[piping plovers]

I often drive by the large palm planted outdoors in front of the Smithsonian aerospace museum in Washington DC.  I'm not sure what type of palm but it has a tall trunk and it looks like the sabal palms I would typically associate with South Carolina or the hardy southeastern US fan palms.  The horticultural staff at those museums are top rate and impeccably maintain those plants and gardens! At first I thought they brought it in each winter but I have seen it covered in snow during cold months.  It looks to be over twenty ft tall.   They cover the top of the palm with burlap during the winter and the palm is up against a monumental granite building facing south, so probably the best microclimate they could create for that palm in a midatlantic city.  Being at that technology museum location, I wouldn't be surprised if the plan has its own wifi controlled heater set up in the crown, lol.  

[ESVA]

The trunking palm is a Chinese windmill (Trachycarpus fortunei): 

Smithsonian Aerospace Museum Tropical Garden

[piping plovers]

6 minutes ago, ESVA said:

The trunking palm is a Chinese windmill (Trachycarpus fortunei): 

Smithsonian Aerospace Museum Tropical Garden

Yes!  Great little video too by the staff.  Thanks.  That windmill really makes sense now because it always appeared to Have more finely divided leaves/fronds than the heavier looking sabal palm fronds.