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Ugliest Palm Contest

osideterry

By osideterry
in DISCUSSING PALM TREES WORLDWIDE

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osideterry Grand Master

osideterry

Posted
Posted

I drive by this Phoenix dactyl/reclinata cross everyday, and today decided it was time to take a closer look.

post-662-1205872970_thumb.jpg

Zone 9b/10a, Sunset Zone 22

7 miles inland. Elevation 120ft (37m)

Average annual low temp: 30F (-1C)

Average annual rainfall: 8" (20cm)

osideterry Grand Master

osideterry

Posted
  • Author
Posted

"That's not so bad... I've seen worse" you might be thinking.

Let's look closer.

post-662-1205873077_thumb.jpg

Zone 9b/10a, Sunset Zone 22

7 miles inland. Elevation 120ft (37m)

Average annual low temp: 30F (-1C)

Average annual rainfall: 8" (20cm)

osideterry Grand Master

osideterry

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Let's see what the trunk looks like from the other side...

This is my nominee. Let's see yours.

post-662-1205873150_thumb.jpg

Zone 9b/10a, Sunset Zone 22

7 miles inland. Elevation 120ft (37m)

Average annual low temp: 30F (-1C)

Average annual rainfall: 8" (20cm)

Alicehunter2000 Grand Master

Alicehunter2000

Posted
Posted

It is funny you started this thread. I was thinking of this just this week after seeing a particuarly ugly B. capita. I'll try and get a pic.

David Simms zone 9a on Highway 30a

200 steps from the Gulf in NW Florida

30 ft. elevation and sandy soil

Joe palma Mentor

Joe palma

Posted
Posted

Man, that is ugly Terry! It's got my vote. What a mess!

I have to say that one of my least liked palms is the Phoenix dactylifera!

Joe Dombrowski

Discovery Island Palms Nursery

San Marcos, CA

"grow my little palm tree, grow!"

madagascarbob Rising Star

madagascarbob

Posted
Posted

Ptychosperma macarthurii ,  ours  luckly is covered by other plants so I cant take a photo .

Alicehunter2000 Grand Master

Alicehunter2000

Posted
Posted

BTW, that's a pretty darn ugly P. dact.. Is it possible to pull the babies off and pot them up?........I got one that has its first baby now.

David Simms zone 9a on Highway 30a

200 steps from the Gulf in NW Florida

30 ft. elevation and sandy soil

brodklop Experienced

brodklop

Posted
Posted

That Dac is a shocker. They have the ability to be realy ugly.

Palms are the king of trees

Brod

Brisbane, Australia

28 latitude, sub tropical

summer average 21c min - 29c max

winter average 10c min - 21c max

extremes at my place 5c - 42c

1100 average rainfall

paulgila Grand Master

paulgila

Posted
Posted

100_2966.jpg

heres a malformed l.chinensis near downtown san diego.

if this isnt scary enuff i could go to matts yard & get some pix...

the "prince of snarkness."

 

still "warning-free."

 

san diego,california,left coast.

oppalm Community Regular

oppalm

Posted
Posted

makes me want to get out of the hobby.

Kent in Kansas.

Gowing palm trees in the middle of the country - Kansas.

It's hot in the summer (usually) and cold in the winter (always).

osideterry Grand Master

osideterry

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Paul - Niiiiiice!

I think the potentially worst palm in the world would be a P. reclinata x P. canariensis. Left to grow untrimmed it would take over an entire yard. I've seen the beginnings of such a mess, but never seen a mature clump.

Zone 9b/10a, Sunset Zone 22

7 miles inland. Elevation 120ft (37m)

Average annual low temp: 30F (-1C)

Average annual rainfall: 8" (20cm)

BS Man about Palms Grand Master

BS Man about Palms

Posted
Posted

I withdraw myself from the competition.

Zone 10a at best after 2007 AND 2013, on SW facing hill, 1 1/2 miles from coast in Oceanside, CA. 30-98 degrees, and 45-80deg. about 95% of the time.

"The great workman of nature is time."   ,  "Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience."

-George-Louis Leclerc de Buffon-

I do some experiments and learning in my garden with palms so you don't have to experience the pain! Look at my old threads to find various observations and tips!

Jeff Searle Grand Master

Jeff Searle

Posted
Posted

Why are only the ugly palms in California? This is not fair. :D

Jeff

Searle Brothers Nursery Inc.

and The Rainforest Collection.

Southwest Ranches,Fl.

SunnyFl Mentor

SunnyFl

Posted
Posted

(Alicehunter2000 @ Mar. 18 2008,15:55)

QUOTE
BTW, that's a pretty darn ugly P. dact.. Is it possible to pull the babies off and pot them up?........

Mmm, but why would anyone want babies from that mess?  The acorn doesn't fall too far from the tree, I'm thinking :D

J/K - hope you can pot up the pup from your dacty.

St. Pete

Zone - a wacked-out place between 9b & 10

Elevation = 44' - not that it does any good

BS Man about Palms Grand Master

BS Man about Palms

Posted
Posted

(Jeff Searle @ Mar. 18 2008,18:28)

QUOTE
Why are only the ugly palms in California? This is not fair. :D

Jeff

Don't worry Jeff, I'm sure you can find some rotted Hedyscepes if you look around....  oh wait, we can't smell them.  :laugh:

Zone 10a at best after 2007 AND 2013, on SW facing hill, 1 1/2 miles from coast in Oceanside, CA. 30-98 degrees, and 45-80deg. about 95% of the time.

"The great workman of nature is time."   ,  "Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience."

-George-Louis Leclerc de Buffon-

I do some experiments and learning in my garden with palms so you don't have to experience the pain! Look at my old threads to find various observations and tips!

fastfeat Grand Master

fastfeat

Posted
Posted

For Floridians feeling left out, here's a lovely bizzie posted earlier:

Bis1.jpgBis2.jpgBis3.jpg

SoCal and SoFla; zone varies by location.

'Home is where the heart suitcase is'...

_____

"If, as they say, there truly is no rest for the wicked, how can the Devil's workshop be filled with idle hands?"

philinsydney Mentor

philinsydney

Posted
Posted

My one is kind of cute, you must admit

DSCF0476.jpg

Philip Wright

Sydney southern suburbs

Frost-free within 20 km of coast

newcal Proficient

newcal

Posted
Posted

_Phil,What the hell is that? .....cousin IT with a green wig!Ha Ha....cheers Mike Green

Daryl Grand Master

Daryl

Posted
Posted

Looks like a healthy Livistona australis?

Daryl

Gold Coast, Queensland Latitude 28S. Mild, Humid Subtropical climate. Rainfall - not consistent enough!

Eric in Orlando Grand Master

Eric in Orlando

Posted
Posted

A poorly negelected Ravenea rivularis

7b82.jpg

and not the ugliest but it could win the laziest, Butia capitata

5c51.jpg

Eric

Orlando, FL

zone 9b/10a

gsn Veteran

gsn

Posted
Posted

Eric,

5c51.jpg

That Butia is actually kinda cool!

Looks like it  might have mated with a Serenoa repens . :D

Scott

Titusville, FL

1/2 mile from the Indian River

USDA Zone COLD

realarch Grand Master

realarch

Posted
Posted

[Why are only the ugly palms in California? This is not fair. :D

Jeff

You know what they say Jeff, palms and their owners tend to start looking like each other after awhile.  :D

Tim

Hilo, Hawaii

FRITO Grand Master

FRITO

Posted
Posted

sabal palmetto

IMG_2559.jpg

IMG_2553.jpg

and some phoenix

IMG_1185.jpg

IMG_1186.jpg

Luke

Tallahassee, FL - USDA zone 8b/9a

63" rain annually

January avg 65/40 - July avg 92/73

North Florida Palm Society - http://palmsociety.blogspot.com/

osideterry Grand Master

osideterry

Posted
  • Author
Posted

The horror!

post-662-1205941564_thumb.jpg

Zone 9b/10a, Sunset Zone 22

7 miles inland. Elevation 120ft (37m)

Average annual low temp: 30F (-1C)

Average annual rainfall: 8" (20cm)

MattyB Grand Master

MattyB

Posted
Posted

OK, I nominate this entire group of Washingtonia filiferas, growing at the I-805 and Palm Ave. (ironic?) in Chula Vista, CA.  Their height is quite impressive though.  The tallest I've ever seen.  Maybe they're just old and look like that naturally.  Like Jeff Searle.

post--1205956430_thumb.jpg

Matt Bradford

"Manambe Lavaka"

Spring Valley, CA (8.5 miles inland from San Diego Bay)

10B on the hill (635 ft. elevation)

9B in the canyon (520 ft. elevation)

_Keith Grand Master

_Keith

Posted
Posted

(MattyB @ Mar. 19 2008,13:53)

QUOTE
Maybe they're just old and look like that naturally.  Like Jeff Searle.

Ooooooooooooch, master snarkiness for sure.  I think you have earned my vote for this year's 'Sn'Oscar Awards"

In my post I sometimes express "my" opinion. Warning, it may differ from "your" opinion. If so, please do not feel insulted, just state your own if you wish. Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or any other damages

realarch Grand Master

realarch

Posted
Posted

Geeze Matty those are ugly, Dr. Suess washies. No comment about Jeff.

Tim

Tim

Hilo, Hawaii

_Keith Grand Master

_Keith

Posted
Posted

This was not overpruned.  It and 3 other just like it on this property were georgeous last year.  All of sudden they started losing fronds from the top down, within 3 weeks the entire palm was brown.  It prompted my post a while back if this palm was sensitive to leathal yellowing and if it was in Louisiana.  It appears they might survive, by they aren't out of the woods.  At any rate, they are pretty ugly right now.

post-1207-1205977337_thumb.jpg

In my post I sometimes express "my" opinion. Warning, it may differ from "your" opinion. If so, please do not feel insulted, just state your own if you wish. Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or any other damages

realarch Grand Master

realarch

Posted
Posted

Took this pic on the way to work this morning, almost couldn't tell it apart from the light posts. Where are the Palm Police!

Tim

uglypalm.jpg

Tim

Hilo, Hawaii

Alicehunter2000 Grand Master

Alicehunter2000

Posted
Posted

Some of these aren't ugly...........just sad :(

David Simms zone 9a on Highway 30a

200 steps from the Gulf in NW Florida

30 ft. elevation and sandy soil

Phil Veteran

Phil

Posted
Posted

Phil's "shaggy dog" is the leader in my book.  I note that many of these "uglies" probably suffer from owner neglect; ie, poor care a little water.  Most of these are pictures of bad specimens of plants that can be made to look attractive.  What about plain ugly even with good care?  Syagrus vagans has never seemed to me to be very pretty.  It's just sort of a full bush of a plant.

syagrus_vagans_001.GIF

Phil B.

Jungle Music Palms and Cycads, established 1977 and located in Encinitas, CA, 20 miles north of San Diego on the Coast.  Phone:  619 2914605 Link to Phil's Email phil.bergman@junglemusic.net Website: www.junglemusic.net Link to Jungle Music Palms and Cycads

fastfeat Grand Master

fastfeat

Posted
Posted

(MattyB @ Mar. 19 2008,14:53)

QUOTE
OK, I nominate this entire group of Washingtonia filiferas, growing at the I-805 and Palm Ave. (ironic?) in Chula Vista, CA.  Their height is quite impressive though.  The tallest I've ever seen.  Maybe they're just old and look like that naturally.  Like Jeff Searle.

Diamond scale can be a bitch...

SoCal and SoFla; zone varies by location.

'Home is where the heart suitcase is'...

_____

"If, as they say, there truly is no rest for the wicked, how can the Devil's workshop be filled with idle hands?"

fastfeat Grand Master

fastfeat

Posted
Posted

(realarch @ Mar. 20 2008,09:42)

QUOTE
Took this pic on the way to work this morning, almost couldn't tell it apart from the light posts. Where are the Palm Police!

Tim

uglypalm.jpg

Geez, ll this butchering for a triplex street light wire?! Morons...

Some of the ugliest palms are ones constantly pruned for primary utility lines (instead of just being put out of their misery). There was no excuse for this one though...

SoCal and SoFla; zone varies by location.

'Home is where the heart suitcase is'...

_____

"If, as they say, there truly is no rest for the wicked, how can the Devil's workshop be filled with idle hands?"

_Keith Grand Master

_Keith

Posted
Posted

Check out the hatchet job on this poor CIDP.

Sorry Kris, I know this has to hurt.

post-1207-1206501721_thumb.jpg

In my post I sometimes express "my" opinion. Warning, it may differ from "your" opinion. If so, please do not feel insulted, just state your own if you wish. Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or any other damages

BS Man about Palms Grand Master

BS Man about Palms

Posted
Posted

I was trying to resist, but I saw this at the Palm meeting on Saturday.....

socoastbotan007.jpg

socoastbotan008.jpg

Zone 10a at best after 2007 AND 2013, on SW facing hill, 1 1/2 miles from coast in Oceanside, CA. 30-98 degrees, and 45-80deg. about 95% of the time.

"The great workman of nature is time."   ,  "Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience."

-George-Louis Leclerc de Buffon-

I do some experiments and learning in my garden with palms so you don't have to experience the pain! Look at my old threads to find various observations and tips!

BS Man about Palms Grand Master

BS Man about Palms

Posted
Posted

You could have you VERY OWN......  :P

socoastbotan009.jpg

Zone 10a at best after 2007 AND 2013, on SW facing hill, 1 1/2 miles from coast in Oceanside, CA. 30-98 degrees, and 45-80deg. about 95% of the time.

"The great workman of nature is time."   ,  "Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience."

-George-Louis Leclerc de Buffon-

I do some experiments and learning in my garden with palms so you don't have to experience the pain! Look at my old threads to find various observations and tips!

Palm Hound Community Regular

Palm Hound

Posted
Posted

How about a contest- who can make their own palm from your landscape the ugliest.  You go first.

BS - Aren't two heads better than one?

Palms are life, the rest is details.

Kris Grand Master

Kris

Posted
Posted

(BS, Man about Palms @ Mar. 18 2008,20:55)

QUOTE
I withdraw myself from the competition.

:laugh:

love conquers all..

43278.gif

.

Kris Grand Master

Kris

Posted
Posted

(keiththibodeaux @ Mar. 25 2008,22:22)

QUOTE
Check out the hatchet job on this poor CIDP.

Sorry Kris, I know this has to hurt.

:laugh:

love conquers all..

43278.gif

.

Kris Grand Master

Kris

Posted
Posted

this is not my palm but seen in one of the nurseries in outskirts of chennai..! i had covered the entire nursery plants in travelog section earlier...!

post-108-1206517240_thumb.jpg

love conquers all..

43278.gif

.

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