A neighbor who is renovating their home decided to take out a small stand of Sabal palmettos (another story) and install two large Phoenix dactylifera (I believe). Going for that grand, estate look, and attempting to stay very formal, they had the trunks of the Phoenix varnished. At first, I thought that they were installing artificial Phoenix until I took a closer look. Is anyone familiar with this procedure? Is it done in California, Texas, or Arizona? Does it pose any threat to the