Bringing palms to the UK

[EJPalm05]

So I will be visiting my uncle in London, UK in a month and His yard is very boring.  so I was wondering if I could bring one of my Washingtonia hybrids to plant in his yard.  Is it illegal to bring plants over? And is it worth it?

[aztropic]

Have you ever travelled overseas before? Be aware,you will have to fill out a customs form (usually while on the plane but maybe upon arrival) stating yes or no that you are importing any fruits or live plants as one of the questions. If you say yes,you will have to deal with a customs officer in person for an inspection. The plant can't have any native soil on it's roots. If they find even a grain of sand,a bug,or any potential disease,it's going in the garbage. If you lie and say 'no' and they find it in an x ray or by random inspection,you could incur a $100 plus fine.

They DO sell palm trees over there,and it would be WAAY easier to just buy him a tree and plant it while you are already there. 

 

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona 

[Foxpalms]

3 hours ago, EJ NJ said:

So I will be visiting my uncle in London, UK in a month and His yard is very boring.  so I was wondering if I could bring one of my Washingtonia hybrids to plant in his yard.  Is it illegal to bring plants over? And is it worth it?

It is, but just go into a homebase or a b&m and you will find Washingtonia and CIDPS for $5-20 for 2-3ft palms. If it's in London Washingtonia robusta, filifera and the filibusta should all be fine. If you want I can pm you some locations of palms and other plants in London worth checking out. @aztropicThe UK definitely aren't as strict as the USA, half the time there's no one in customs and I have never seen them check unless it's drugs, however it still would be illegal without getting a phytosanitary inspection and paying for a plant inspection. I don't think the plants would need to be bare root though in the UK. In my opinion it's just easier to buy one in a shop as they are not expensive to buy here. Depending on what part of London he lives in he could be able to grow a lot.

Edited June 1, 2023 by Foxpalms

[SeanK]

Try PalmCenter.co.uk

 

[Foxpalms]

8 minutes ago, SeanK said:

Try PalmCenter.co.uk

 

It's better to go in there they tend to have more choice than what's on their website. Sometimes they get in queen's, kings, foxtails ect. The Washingtonia there however are all large ones for sale so the least expensive one would be $120.  Plenty of choice on eBay as well and UK palm selling websites.

[SeanK]

Just now, Foxpalms said:

It's better to go in there they tend to have more choice than what's on their website. Sometimes they get in queen's, kings, foxtails ect. The Washingtonia there however are all large ones for sale so the least expensive one would be $120.  Plenty of choice on eBay as well and UK palm selling websites.

I suggest buyin in-person. Know what you're getting.