Palms on the Cape

[MAPalms]

I was on the cape this weekend and passed a hotel called the Cape Codder which is being turned into a Margaritaville. They had rows of trachys outside so I had to stop in to take a look. Unfortunately the picture is at night but the next time I’m in the area I will get a daytime picture. It’s cool to see hardy palms becoming more popular in the area! Interested to see how these will do over the winter.

[SeanK]

Is the Cape rated z7a?

[Colin1110082]

7 minutes ago, SeanK said:

Is the Cape rated z7a?

Yes, it is zone 7A. 

[Colin1110082]

4 hours ago, MAPalms said:

I was on the cape this weekend and passed a hotel called the Cape Codder which is being turned into a Margaritaville. They had rows of trachys outside so I had to stop in to take a look. Unfortunately the picture is at night but the next time I’m in the area I will get a daytime picture. It’s cool to see hardy palms becoming more popular in the area! Interested to see how these will do over the winter.

 I live about an hour and a half from the cape. I have seen those. Those are on the front right? I’ m going to the cape in a week or two. Where did you go on the cape and did you see any more palms? I’m pretty sure there are a few basjoo in some spots, but as far as palms i’m not sure. There is a hotel called the wequasset in Harwich that had some at one point I think, and I think they had a few bananas but atone point they died unless they replaced them. We don’t stay there but we go there to eat so i’ll look 

[MAPalms]

On 8/6/2024 at 5:51 PM, Colin1110082 said:

 I live about an hour and a half from the cape. I have seen those. Those are on the front right? I’ m going to the cape in a week or two. Where did you go on the cape and did you see any more palms? I’m pretty sure there are a few basjoo in some spots, but as far as palms i’m not sure. There is a hotel called the wequasset in Harwich that had some at one point I think, and I think they had a few bananas but atone point they died unless they replaced them. We don’t stay there but we go there to eat so i’ll look 

I’m half an hour from the cape. They are on the front of the building in a row. Close to the airport and the mall if you know the area. I just saw some more potted palms in the Hyannis/Yarmouth area but those are mostly Majestys and Christmas Palms. Your best bet of finding more palms would be to continue down that touristy strip with all the gift shops and mini golf courses. 

[MAPalms]

On 8/6/2024 at 5:43 PM, SeanK said:

Is the Cape rated z7a?

The mid cape and upper cape are. The outer cape is 7b. These palms would be in 7a but only a few miles from 7b.

[DoomsDave]

Wow! Keep us apprised!

[Colin1110082]

I had no idea there was 7B here I thought it was 7A but I guess it is true. Cape never gets snow they are usually spared. Where I am we usually get heavy slush and ice, never perfect powder. Cape mostly gets cold rain and wind. It snows there but never enough to accumulate. 

[MAPalms]

10 hours ago, Colin1110082 said:

I had no idea there was 7B here I thought it was 7A but I guess it is true. Cape never gets snow they are usually spared. Where I am we usually get heavy slush and ice, never perfect powder. Cape mostly gets cold rain and wind. It snows there but never enough to accumulate. 

You’re right. It’s pretty empty on the cape in the winter, but I can see Trachys doing well there. Every time I go there in January or February it’s rainy and in the 40s. I could see Trachys thriving on Nantucket as well.

[MAPalms]

This palm is at the patio at East Bay in Plymouth . Not on the cape, but close. I believe this palm has been in this spot for a few years. There are others of the same kind around it, also in pots. It’s just feet away from Plymouth Harbor in z7a. Anyone have ideas on the id? I’m thinking Chamaerops or Trachy but I don’t know for sure.

[SeanK]

A waggie or a Mediterranean fan. If the petiole spines are pronounced, the latter.

[Colin1110082]

Something else there is a lot of in the cape is opuntia I love to see those they are in the wild on Nantucket and province town dunes I believe and in a few other isolated areas 

[MAPalms]

1 hour ago, Colin1110082 said:

Something else there is a lot of in the cape is opuntia I love to see those they are in the wild on Nantucket and province town dunes I believe and in a few other isolated areas 

Check iNaturalist. There may be some up on the north shore near you, maybe Plum Island? The dunes are really cool on the Cape, check out the National Seashore if you can. I spend some time there every summer. If you want to see some cool plants and some history, go to Highland Light. A very cool environment with wild yucca and opuntia.

[RFun]

That's a 7b that is on the cold side.  There will not be a lot of heat for that area.  Plan accordingly.

[Colin1110082]

On 8/9/2024 at 4:43 PM, MAPalms said:

Check iNaturalist. There may be some up on the north shore near you, maybe Plum Island? The dunes are really cool on the Cape, check out the National Seashore if you can. I spend some time there every summer. If you want to see some cool plants and some history, go to Highland Light. A very cool environment with wild yucca and opuntia.

I used it to see if there were any I saw no palms or banana sightings but tons of yucca and prickly pear

[Colin1110082]

5 hours ago, RFun said:

That's a 7b that is on the cold side.  There will not be a lot of heat for that area.  Plan accordingly.

It is defiantly the cold side but as far as freezing precipitation goes they are mostly spared it’s usually just whipping wind and cold rain. Further inland on the cape like the hotel there I can see a Trachycarpus living okay. Any snow they get usually melts quick compared to where I am