10 Fascinating Facts About Palm Trees
1. They Don’t All Produce Coconuts
In cartoons, it may seem like you can shake a palm tree and downfalls a tasty coconut. Unfortunately, that’s not the case in real life. Coconuts, dates, and acai berries, all of which come from palms, are safe and edible for humans, but other palms produce poisonous fruit. If you’ve got fruit-bearing palms in your yard, don’t assume they’re safe to eat until you ask an expert arborist at your tree service.
2. Palm Trees Are Overachievers
Some species of palm trees can reach heights of 200 feet! In fact, the Quindio wax palm (Ceroxylon quindiuense) frequently does just that! Mexican fan palms can reach heights of about 100 feet, and others average 70 – 80. As you can imagine, the taller the tree, the more nutrients it needs to succeed. With regular help from a lawn care service, your palms will grow tall and strong for many years.
3. Palms Have Been A Favorite For Over 5,000 Years
For at least 5,000 years, humans have cultivated palms as a source of food. The first known instance of this is recorded in ancient Mesopotamia. In addition to food, the wood of the palm was used to make tools, homes, and provide shade from the searing heat of the desert.
4. You Can Make Wine Out Of Palms
Some parts of Africa and Asia make a type of wine called “Kallu,” which comes from – you guessed it – palms. Generally, it’s made from dates or coconut palm. This refreshing drink
5. There Are 2,500 + Species
Members of the Arecaceae plant family, palm trees are hardy and can grow in various climates. You probably associate them with tropical regions, but they can also grow in arid regions as well!
6. Palm Trees Are Record Breakers
In addition to being some of the tallest trees, they also hold the record for the world’s largest tree seeds! The Coco de Mer palm tree’s seeds weigh in at over 60 pounds and can reach 20 inches in diameter!
7. Not All Palms Are Trees
Some members of the Arecaceae family can come in the form of shrubs or even vines!
8. Palms Don’t Have Tree Rings
As you probably know, you can tell the age of a tree by counting the rings from the center-most ring outward – unless that tree is a palm! These rings are called “cambium” in the scientific world, and they are produced as secondary tissue. Palm trees are incapable of producing cambium. If you looked at a cross-section of a palm tree trunk, you would find circular vessels throughout. These are vascular tissues called xylem and phloem, and they allow the tree to thicken up its trunk until it reaches the maximum diameter. Once the tree has reached its max trunk size, this process stops. Through this biological process, palm trunks can remain narrow and sturdy to support the weight of the tree’s fronds and fruit.
9. Palm Trees Have Been Around Since The Age Of Dinosaurs
They first appear in the fossil record approximately 80 million years ago during the mid-Cretaceous period.
10. Palms Are Endangered
Roughly 100 palm species are on the endangered species list. Unfortunately, palms produce palm oil, which is a valuable resource that is not currently harvested sustainably. Through deforestation, unsustainable farming, and logging, some palms, like the Hyophorbe amaricaulis, have suffered greatly. In fact, there is only one palm left in the world of that particular species. Thankfully, it is housed in a protective botanic garden. All is not lost, however. Many non-profits are working to restore palms and keep them around for all generations to enjoy.
Trust Land Art Inc. For Tree And Shrub Care Near Naples, Florida
Whether you have towering palms or mighty oaks, the experts at Land Art Inc are trained to provide your trees and shrubs with the care they deserve. We have tree care programs tailored for both our Ohio customers and Florida customers. These programs are timed to deliver your trees the nourishment they need at different points throughout the season. We also offer full-season lawn maintenance. To learn more, call 1.800.336.5296 or leave us a message online.