tampa is palm trees
dcdaveIn my never ending, eternally hyperbolic quest to discover everything there is to know and do in Tampa (everything…), I’ve hit somewhat of a snag. Maybe it’s because I’m still a newbie, or just because I’m a sap. Lord knows my wife was over it after a week, but I just cannot get past the palm trees. I guess you could say I just can’t see the Bay for the Trees (*loud booing*).
Seriously, 
even though I’m on my second job in three months of living here, I always feel like I’m on vacation. Between the sun, the beaches, the bay, the boats and those riveting, infinitely stupendous palms, I just can’t shake the holiday vibe. Not the “christmas lights on a palm tree” thing, the other “I’m chilling out at a vaction resort” one.
Having said all of that, I did a little research on palm trees in the area, and here is what I found out:
- Most palm trees here are not from here.
- Through the internets, and driving around aimlessly I have been able to identify 7 main types of palm tree, most of which are planted abundantly near my apartment. These are the Florida Royal Palm (the only native species as far as I can tell), the Queen Palm, the Canary Island Date Palm (my personal favorite), the Red Latan Palm, the Chinese Fan Palm, the Triangle Palm, and everyone else’s fave, the ubiquitous Coconut Palm.
- There are around 2600 different species of palms, all of which I will attempt to catalog and list on this page.
- About 100 palm species are currently listed as endangered.
- Palm trees are totally awesome, especially when silhouetted against the bright Florida sunshine.
As you can see, I’ve done some pretty thorough research (wikipedia, about.com, SOHO), spent countless hours examining palm trees (45 minutes, give or take a handful) and I still can’t get enough palm on palm action.
Cross posted @ The Delightful Yank
Tags: palm trees, tampa, tampa-bay, tropical foliage
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August 24th, 2006 at 11:13 am
You should try the old Florida tradition of chopping down a palm tree for Gasparilla, loads of fun.
August 24th, 2006 at 11:14 am
Must be a newbie. You forgot the Sabal Palm, the state tree of Florida
http://www.wec.ufl.edu/extension/state_symbols/state_tree.htm
August 24th, 2006 at 11:47 am
That is adorable! However I wholeheartedly disagree with that first comment. You should not destroy things you love. That sounds like something a depressed teenager would do in a twentieth-century novel about coming-of-age and trying to make girls like you.
If you love palm trees, you should plant lots of them in beautiful places and tell everyone about it! Start a palm tree fan club! Design a palm frond bikini and hand out prototypes to pretty girls! Take chips from the trunks and make handy beer openers for all your friends! Viva la palm tree!
August 24th, 2006 at 11:50 am
More info on the Sabal. While it does appear on the State Seal and the State Flag, and is the most abundant palm in Florida, it is not actually native to the peninsula. It is, in fact, native to Cuba and the Bahamas, like rum.
August 24th, 2006 at 1:40 pm
“wholeheartedly disagree with that first comment. ”
August 24th, 2006 at 2:11 pm
I was going to say the same thing about chopping down a palm tree. Great fun to watch the attempt.
Most attractive palm tree in the area imho is the Paurotis or Everglades palm, and there are several nice specimens in south Tampa; MacDill has a few very nice plantings. It grows as a cluster of narrow trunks surrounded by what appears to be saw palmetto or another low-lying palmetto, but it is in fact a single plant. It doesn’t look especially “tropical” but it screams Florida whenever I see one.
August 24th, 2006 at 2:50 pm
Also, not to be a complete tree nerd (actually, yes, I am a complete tree nerd), Sabal is a genus of palm trees comprising about a dozen species, at least three of which ARE native to Florida and/or the southeast. The most common of those is Sabal palmetto, or cabbage palm, which is frequently called the “Sabal palm.” It’s native to the Bahamas, Cuba, and the U.S. mainland from south Florida up to the Carolinas.
August 24th, 2006 at 3:15 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY !
August 24th, 2006 at 3:21 pm
Awww, Mr. Bill, you’re crazy!
And I’ve seen Mark chop down a palm tree! Actually, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen him chop down several palm trees, so, really, what are you guys talking about? I mean, he’s a superhero and stuff, but still . . .
August 25th, 2006 at 2:59 pm
palm trees are the reason i am here…
August 25th, 2006 at 4:42 pm
are there palm trees in broward?
August 26th, 2006 at 11:45 am
yes, they have coconuts on them down there.
December 23rd, 2006 at 3:04 pm
[...] Part 2 in the super yummy holiday treats series. This recipe is a neat combination of my previously disclosed love of palm trees and my French heritage. [...]
April 6th, 2007 at 9:33 am
The Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, or Piccabeen palm is one that is tropical but does pretty well here in Tampa. A hard freeze will most likely kill it, but they are fast growing.
April 17th, 2008 at 1:38 am
I was just admiring this healthy palm and had to know who posted the picture. I buy and sell Canary Palms and many other types of Exotic Palms in the San Diego Area.
We transplant many canaries, and it always leaves me awe at the end of the day.
If you’re near San Diego, look us up and I’ll show you around the nursery.
In the mean time, we are always available at novelidea4@yahoo*.com if you want to see pictures of more palms and how we move these giant trees.
April 22nd, 2008 at 12:38 am
Huh, and I thought I was alone in my infinite love of palm trees, to the point of obsession. I live in southern ms and have planted every palm I can find that is rated for our winters. The windmill, sabel, european fan palm, washingtonia, mediteranian fan palm, sago (i know, its not really a palm, but has the tropical feel)and jelly (pindo) palm. Any suggestions of others that might do well down to about 15 degrees in the winter? Thanks.
September 7th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
This may really burst your bubble but Palm Trees are not trees. They are a grass.