Schefflera growing on sabal palm

[KLS]

I think i have a sabal palm in the back yard of my new home in Venice, Florida. There is a schefflera growing out of the side of the palm.  It has grown tremendously in the last few months. I don't know if this is detrimental to the palm tree and whether the schefflera should be removed. I believe I read that scheffleras are invasive. I am concerned about my palm tree. You can see the schefflera in the attached picture on the right. 

[John2468]

I would remove the plant as the roots would eventually wrap around the trunk and overtake the palm.

[EPaul]

It is not a Schefflera Tree (Schefflera actinophylla). It looks to be a Strangler Ficus tree.

https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/ficus-aurea/

Edited April 4, 2024 by EPaul

[Silas_Sancona]

Missing something in the picture perhaps but see ..what looks like a Ficus ..on the far right, rather than a Schefflera.

Regardless, would definitely remove it  -roots and all-  since it too will eventually out compete and strangle the Palmetto.

Ferns peeking out from the Palmetto trunk on the left? ..won't hurt the trunk of the palm at all..

 

[redbeard917]

Agreed, Schefflera should have a compound leaf (this photo shows a plant with a simple leaf) and you are most likely dealing with a strangler fig. Which I would remove.

[Harry’s Palms]

I have something like that growing out of the side of my Butia. You can see it on the right side of the trunk. I thought it was cool , but not if it is going to hurt my palm! Harry

[redbeard917]

Yeah, Butias are good at catching seeds and organic matter and having various plants (including offspring of the mother plant) sprout in their bootjacks. Nice palms and view.