Kentia Contest…Let’s See Your TALL Howea Forsteriana

[Jim in Los Altos]

Would love to see posts of the tallest Howea in your gardens around the world! They are very uncommon to see in my area and I wish they were used much more. This one in the front garden is 25 years old and rising towards the sky. There are eleven others in the landscape of various heights but this one’s the tallest. 
 

[Jim in Los Altos]

Anyone else? 

[Phoenikakias]

It could not be better looking, simply perfect! I expect mine to become miserable again after next week, since three days on the row with max around 40 C have been predicted.

[happypalms]

Now Jim you do realise iam literally living on the doorstep of lord Howe island, I feel it would not be a fair contest if I entered into such a contest. So I shall just submit one entry and leave it at that and let’s just say we shall call it a draw!🤣

[tim_brissy_13]

Not mine, but I had to add to this topic with a Google Street View screenshot of the tallest H forsteriana I’ve ever come across. This one is near the Melbourne CBD, on the south side of a 5 story building. The crown (hard to make out, circled in red) is now above the building and well above a nearby large Phoenix canariensis, to the right in these shots. I’d put the height at 15-20m (50-65 feet), well above the ‘maximum’ height of 9-10m (30-35 feet) usually accepted for this species. @peachy may know this location - it’s a few buildings up from the famous Queens Rd Jubaea (some say 150 years old). 

[happypalms]

7 minutes ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

Not mine, but I had to add to this topic with a Google Street View screenshot of the tallest H forsteriana I’ve ever come across. This one is near the Melbourne CBD, on the south side of a 5 story building. The crown (hard to make out, circled in red) is now above the building and well above a nearby large Phoenix canariensis, to the right in these shots. I’d put the height at 15-20m (50-65 feet), well above the ‘maximum’ height of 9-10m (30-35 feet) usually accepted for this species. @peachy may know this location - it’s a few buildings up from the famous Queens Rd Jubaea (some say 150 years old). 

No contest Tim gotta be home grown for entry not google street view, that’s using AI to cheat with, no contest! 🤣🤪🤣

[happypalms]

Just now, happypalms said:

No contest Tim gotta be home grown for entry not google street view, that’s using AI to cheat with, no contest! 🤣🤪🤣

And it needs to a kentia in the photo🤣

[Harry’s Palms]

I have several in my garden but none that tall. I think my tallest one is still under 20’ . Harry

[Darold Petty]

JIm, how about some measurements ?   

[Kim]

My Howea are 10 years in the ground and the tallest have perhaps 2 - 3 ft. of bare trunk. Frankly I am happy to have them grow slowly so I can enjoy them without hurting my neck to look up at them.

[Jim in Los Altos]

3 hours ago, Kim said:

My Howea are 10 years in the ground and the tallest have perhaps 2 - 3 ft. of bare trunk. Frankly I am happy to have them grow slowly so I can enjoy them without hurting my neck to look up at them.

Thats why I planted twelve of them in the garden over the years. They range in size from waist high to the one I pictured above and everything in between.  

[Jim in Los Altos]

8 hours ago, happypalms said:

Now Jim you do realise iam literally living on the doorstep of lord Howe island, I feel it would not be a fair contest if I entered into such a contest. So I shall just submit one entry and leave it at that and let’s just say we shall call it a draw!🤣

Not really a contest. I just want to see some big ‘ol Howea! 

[Jim in Los Altos]

4 hours ago, Darold Petty said:

JIm, how about some measurements ?   

Darold, when they get this tall, actual height is speculative on my part but this palm would be peaking into a third story window easily.  

[David B]

Here’s some of mine today in rainy winter NZ. Existing palms when we bought the house 15 years ago. They were initially growing under queen palms since removed and so are a bit stretched. The house  next door is 3 storeys. I’m guessing 10-12m of trunk? Probably 20-25 years old

[Tyrone]

There’s some tall ones around the older parts of Albany. 

The tallest I’ve seen outside of LHI were in Sydney BG and would have been at a guess over a century old. Just going from memory (which is never really accurate) I think they were 60-80 feet tall. 

[JohnAndSancho]

I love these but man, I have killed every one I've touched - probably by trying to separate them. I'm 0-12 on Howeas. I'm scared to try another. 

[Harry’s Palms]

@JohnAndSancho keep trying , they are usually very forgiving houseplants. Harry

[JohnAndSancho]

11 minutes ago, Harry’s Palms said:

@JohnAndSancho keep trying , they are usually very forgiving houseplants. Harry

I've always bought them as pots of 4 and separated them. I guess my separation technique wasn't down yet, because I also killed a pot of chamaedorea elegans and 3 Roebellini the same way. 

[Harry’s Palms]

Generally when transplanting or separating palms , I use a bowl or bucket of water and take time to untangle without breaking the roots and gently place the new soil around the roots . Kentia are pretty tough , I just dug up a volunteer and potted it up . That was a couple weeks ago and it is now in the shade , in a cool place in the garden. I don’t anticipate any problems. Harry

[JohnAndSancho]

5 minutes ago, Harry’s Palms said:

Generally when transplanting or separating palms , I use a bowl or bucket of water and take time to untangle without breaking the roots and gently place the new soil around the roots . Kentia are pretty tough , I just dug up a volunteer and potted it up . That was a couple weeks ago and it is now in the shade , in a cool place in the garden. I don’t anticipate any problems. Harry

I tried. Maybe next time I buy one it'll be a single. They shoulda loved my apartment! 

[DoomsDave]

4 hours ago, David B said:

Here’s some of mine today in rainy winter NZ. Existing palms when we bought the house 15 years ago. They were initially growing under queen palms since removed and so are a bit stretched. The house  next door is 3 storeys. I’m guessing 10-12m of trunk? Probably 20-25 years old

Whoa I’d say you’re the winner so far!

[Jim in Los Altos]

6 hours ago, David B said:

Here’s some of mine today in rainy winter NZ. Existing palms when we bought the house 15 years ago. They were initially growing under queen palms since removed and so are a bit stretched. The house  next door is 3 storeys. I’m guessing 10-12m of trunk? Probably 20-25 years old

Nice! I’m eying that Chambeyronia to the left too! 

[peachy]

15 hours ago, Jim in Los Altos said:

Darold, when they get this tall, actual height is speculative on my part but this palm would be peaking into a third story window easily.  

2 Questions  Is he good looking ?

Would it be an easy palm to climb ?

[Shoowow]

These are some seriously tall kentias in a public garden nearby in S. Miguel, Azores. Mine, below, are shorter...

[happypalms]

Jim can I enter my variegated Howea, actually I have two variegated Howea, but I will enter just the one to be fair!🤣

[happypalms]

9 minutes ago, peachy said:

2 Questions  Is he good looking ?

Would it be an easy palm to climb ?

Oh peachys you always leave my mind wondering my dear possum!