Loneliest Royal in FL

[fastfeat]

I was driving north on the Turnpike today from Palm Beach to Orlando when I spotted this poor little royal, planted as a memorial, at MM 189, between the Fort Drum service plaza and Yeehaw Junction, in Indian River Co. I doubt there's another royal within a 30 mile radius.

Sort of surprised FDOT hasn't mowed over it yet. If you see it in your travels, might bring some extra water and fertilizer for it...

[epicure3]

Looks like there's already a burial cross right there for the inevitable unless someone waters that baby.

BTW, I refuse to live near any place that has a "Yeehaw Junction" nearby.

[Dave-Vero]

I suspect it's on hold, but Yeehaw Junction was about to be transformed into an enormous new development extending all the way to Kissimmee Prairie--a huge ranch south of SR 60 and west of 441.

[Davidl]

Yeehaw Junction is not exactly a warm spot so if we have some bad weather this winter this palm might die anyhow. I have been through that area on my way to Orlando and the trees had lost there leaves from the cold and the grass was dead. Royal palms look like this when transplanted from the ground allot of times especially when done by amateurs or could just be in shock from not being watered but at any rate its fate is not promising in my opinion.

[fastfeat]

I agree about the cold. Saw lots of leafless (or nearly so) Liquidambars, Quercus laurifolia, Acer rubrum yesterday. Coming from Palm Beach Co, it reminded me that Fall is occurring elsewhere in the country. I forget sometimes--has yet to fall to 70 F by me...

[Jason in Orlando]

Generally hasn't been below 70 yet here in Orlando either (maybe upper 60s one or two nights).  Temps have been near 90, and none of the trees are turning yet (except for those red maples which are always red).  Sounds like that will change later this week though with forcast lows in the lower 60s by late in the week.  I was starting to live in a tropical fantasy land...

Jason

[DoomsDave]

Well, it's nice to see someone cared enough to plant it.  

I suspect they're from So-Flo.  

Yee-Haw Junction sounds Cracker to the core!

Maybe someone'll plant a Sabal in the Royal's place?

dave

[Jeff Searle]

But you know what? You gotta give them credit for trying. Out of all the millions of plants, they picked the stately Royal Palm. Hope it makes it.

BTW......what would be really cool is, if a palm collector driving down in the next 2 weeks for the big palm sale at Fairchild's garden in Miami, would pull over and have their picture taken given it a little water and fertilizer.

I'll go the next step, for the first person(someone,anyone please) that does this(need pictures...  taken that weekend only)when you get to the sale, I'll have a nice 6' carpoxylon waiting for you.

Jeff

[waykoolplantz]

Nice thought Jeff.

It would be a great tradition to start...a pic by the lonliest Royal could become a"Photo Op"...like the southernmost bouy down in KeyWest.

[DoomsDave]

If it's me, well, . . . .

[NBTX11]

There's no protection from cold in the area around Yeehaw Junction, out in the middle of nowhere.  I seriously doubt this royal makes it long term, too cold, imo.

[tank]

(Dave-Vero @ Oct. 21 2007,04:02)

QUOTE

I suspect it's on hold, but Yeehaw Junction was about to be transformed into an enormous new development extending all the way to Kissimmee Prairie--a huge ranch south of SR 60 and west of 441.

The name of the development is "Destiny".  I think they were projecting 150,000 folks to move in, if it ever gets approved.

[Davidl]

I don't know if Ill make the fairchild sale this year but if I go through there this winter I will water it and take pictures of its condition.BTW when is the sale ? its been a few years since I made it to that one. I hope the palm makes it for the people's sake if nothing else.

[fastfeat]

I was talking to Eric (of Orlando) yesterday (had a GREAT tour of Leu Gardens yesterday--thanks again Eric!) about this little guy. I'm supposed to head back north later this week and I already loaded shovels in the truck so I can build a basin around it. Assuming my paycheck shows up today, I'll pick up some fertilizer (I'm out ) and some mulch at HD.

I'm not angling for that Carpoxylon Jeff, but that's a great offer! Besides, unless my dog learns how to use the camera (or I get an FHP officer to snap a pic before cuffing me...), all I could do is a before and after. I'm hoping someone gets to it before I do...

[Palmarum]

I drive up the Turnpike to visit my sister and brother-in-law in Port St. Lucie now and then. I will try to go a bit further and visit that Royal and give it some care, or add to whatever it had already received. If someone gets there sooner, please post some photos, even if your not in them. I will bring my tripod just in case I am sans company. Has anyone thought if adding to the planting would be a respectful idea or not? The Royal wouldn't be lonely then. Someone could add a Butia sp. or other more cold tolerant palm next to the Royal just for back-up purposes. A larger group of plants might be less likely to be mowed over. I have seen similar memorials where the cross, flowers and stuffed animals were just shredded by a mower.

Davidl · Posted on Oct. 23 2007,00:12

I don't know if Ill make the fairchild sale this year but if I go through there this winter I will water it and take pictures of its condition.BTW when is the sale ? its been a few years since I made it to that one.

The sale is the first weekend of November, 3rd & 4th. If you do make it, come by Jeff's booth and say hello. You could get a shiny new Carpoxylon for helping that Royal out.

Ryan

[Dave-Vero]

The Turnpike will have definite guidelines for acceptable landscaping (species, trees vs shrubs, distance from pavement).  The palm could be too close to the pavement.

[fastfeat]

(Dave-Vero @ Oct. 25 2007,12:34)

QUOTE

The Turnpike will have definite guidelines for acceptable landscaping (species, trees vs shrubs, distance from pavement).  The palm could be too close to the pavement.

There are some new Sabals at Ft. Pierce (?), both near the road edge and in the median. I don't know what the specs are from FDOT or Turnpike Authority.

 I would discourage making much of a spectacle of the tree with addition of additional plants. This would probably draw the attention of some supervisor who would make a trip to Tallahassee to pull the specs, drive back down, take measurements, submit an abatement plan to his supervisor, schedule the removal, etc, etc.

Probably best just to try to get it healthy and growing, hopefully get it through a winter or two, then hopefully they'll just treat it as a big, overgrown blade of grass...

[fastfeat]

Well, this poor little royal hadn't gotten any better looking in the past month or so, so to celebrate the end of the '07 'cane season, I decided to help it out a little on my drive to Austin, TX.

The supplies: cypress mulch (should have bought more...), palm/ixora granular fert, 5gal jug of water, round-point shovel and Coronas (off camera):

The poor subject, dry and weed-choked:

"Stakes" and plastic string removed, almost 4" of sandy soil removed to find top of the rootball!!, fertilizer scattered:

[fastfeat]

And the final result, mulched, watered, and dead fronds removed:

Could have used some more mulch (it probably would have been better being dug up and planted more shallowly, but...) and it may still freeze, but it's got a chance. I'm sure it could use more water from those who want to add a gallon or two when they can...

Sending this from a rest stop on I-10 in Mississippi, where it's cold...Gotta get rolling to Texas...

[ThunderSRQ]

Ken,

Great work!

And I'm sure whoever placed that memorial there will be very pleasantly surprised the next time they stop by...(nothing quite like giving a nice blessing to a total stranger -- I'm sure your efforts will warm their heart and hopefully help with the healing process)

Have a safe trip...

Tim

[BS Man about Palms]

Nice work.

[Tess]

(Palmarum @ Oct. 25 2007,12:32)

QUOTE

I have seen similar memorials where the cross, flowers and stuffed animals were just shredded by a mower.

Wow, that is C.O.L.D. cold!  No respect.  Sheeesh.

[Breadfruit Bill]

Good Job Ken!

:cool:

[Jeff Searle]

Ken,

    Your the man! You have a big heart. I also the family sees what you did and will surely appreciate it.

Jeff

[Joe palma]

Good eye Ken, and nice job!