Roystonia in orlando

[trippc]

Hey everybody, im on vacation, down from north florida. Last time I was on vacation down here we visited sea world. In which we noticed some gigantic royals(had to be over 40ft). I loved seeing those majestic palms.. This time we visited discovery cove and saw some coconuts, among other varieties of palms, but no royals. Around the same time we visited seaworld though, I remember driving off of i4 or some other big road/highway, and bam there was a few huge royals in front of what I can remember to be a strip mall. Does anyone know where this may be? Or any other central florida locations where I could go to see some gigantic royals? Only here for the week and would love to visit some. Thanks!

[Fishinsteeg234]

Yes I know the Royals you are talking about. They are still there, check the intersection at Westwood blvd and International dr, right near SeaWorld. 
 

If you have time, Leu Gardens near downtown Orlando is the best palm viewing we have here in the Orlando area. Highly recommend.

Anther good spot for some big royals is the intersection of Westpointe Blvd and Lake Vilma Dr. in Orlando’s Metrowest area. 
 

The Orange County Convention Center also has some nice palms around the property. 
 

If you’re interested in any seedlings to take home, including royals, let me know I live in Longwood just north of town. 
 

enjoy your trip! 
 

-Alex

 

[trippc]

Perfect! This is just what i was looking for. Thank you! Ill definitely be visiting westpointe and possibly leu gardens. 

As for the seedlings, I might take you up on on or two. How much do you want for them? 

I had a 8 ft royal I planted last year in spring. Unfortunately we had one of our worst winters, seeing temps as low as 26 degrees. That completely fried the leaves on it, but left it with some green in the center. Unfortunately my hoa told me to get rid of it due to the lack of green foliage. Unlike my foxtail, the royal just wasn't big enough to bounce back fast. 

Id love to give it another shot, growing it from seedling, bringing it in during the winter. Then eventually planting it in the back yard, out of sight from the hoa. 

Again, thank you for the wealth of information. And let me know if you want anything for the seedlings. We will be leaving orlando on friday, so we'd be riding right through your area. If you could meet then, that would be great. 

[Hu Palmeras]

4 hours ago, Fishinsteeg234 said:

Sí, sé de qué Royals hablas. Siguen ahí. Fíjate en la intersección de Westwood Blvd. e International Dr., justo al lado de SeaWorld. 
 

Si tiene tiempo, Leu Gardens, cerca del centro de Orlando, ofrece el mejor lugar para observar palmeras en el área de Orlando. Lo recomiendo ampliamente.

Otro buen lugar para ver algunos ejemplares de gran tamaño es la intersección de Westpointe Blvd y Lake Vilma Dr. en el área Metrowest de Orlando. 
 

El Centro de Convenciones del Condado de Orange también tiene algunas hermosas palmeras alrededor de la propiedad. 
 

Si estás interesado en llevar plántulas a casa, incluidas las reales, házmelo saber. Vivo en Longwood, al norte de la ciudad. 
 

¡Disfruta tu viaje! 
 

-Alex

 

Beautiful palm trees, my friend. Thanks for sharing.

[kinzyjr]

@trippc If you happen to go to ICON Park, you'll get to see the infamous I-Drive coconut outside of Charley's Steakhouse.

[Merlyn]

@trippc Leu Gardens is definitely worth a couple of hours tour!  Up on the way back to Jax there is a relatively new garden.  It's been on several CFPACS tours:

https://www.stjohnsbotanicalgarden.org/

[RiverCityRichard]

I definitely second the suggestion to hit Leu Gardens. You’ll be amazed at what they have growing here. Also, I have a feeling you’re talking about the Sanford I-4 Royals by Lake Monroe/Sanford Mall. It’s a tragedy, but they cleared them out last month to expand the parking lot for a truck stop.

[trippc]

22 hours ago, RiverCityRichard said:

I definitely second the suggestion to hit Leu Gardens. You’ll be amazed at what they have growing here. Also, I have a feeling you’re talking about the Sanford I-4 Royals by Lake Monroe/Sanford Mall. It’s a tragedy, but they cleared them out last month to expand the parking lot for a truck stop.

WHATTT?? Cleared out large royals... in orlando?? That is horrible

[kinzyjr]

2 hours ago, trippc said:

WHATTT?? Cleared out large royals... in orlando?? That is horrible

It happens a lot with Royals and Foxtails when they build stuff anymore.  What used to be a rarity is now considered a weed.

[Bkue]

Ucf has some fairly recent planted larges. I have a few from no wood to 7ft wood in 3yrs. Nice but not anything special….yet. Sanford RV park has some big oldies by Monroe. They are sprinkled around if you look for them. There is a 20ft + clear wood off winter springs blvd across from tuskawilla county club. Looking nice now but browns and tatters a bit after winter. There is another large oldie across from dubsdread that is a clear survivor of a couple decades of palm Armageddon. There is a couple biggins on lake concord off i4 downtown. 

[ck_in_fla]

On 8/28/2025 at 12:23 AM, Bkue said:

There is a 20ft + clear wood off winter springs blvd across from tuskawilla county club.

I believe you are referring to my tree.  I am in the Oak Forest development off Tuscawilla Road.  This tree was planted as a seedling in the Spring of 2000.  I believe it is significantly taller than 20 feet.  But, I believe my tree is the one you are referencing.

[Bkue]

On 8/30/2025 at 10:07 AM, ck_in_fla said:

I believe you are referring to my tree.  I am in the Oak Forest development off Tuscawilla Road.  This tree was planted as a seedling in the Spring of 2000.  I believe it is significantly taller than 20 feet.  But, I believe my tree is the one you are referencing.

Doesn’t sound like it but I want to see it. I have seen your pics years ago and was an inspiration to try. The one I speak of is literally across from the county club on ws blvd. 

[ck_in_fla]

Yes, I know exactly which tree you are referring to now...

That one is planted close to the side of the house along Winter Springs Blvd.