Palms around Green Turtle Cay

[GTClover]

Hello Palm Experts, a couple of you have asked about Palms found in the second location I've listed for myself. Green Turtle Cay is a small key off the coast of Abaco which in turn is one of the 'Out Islands' of the Bahamas and is 135 miles due west of West Palm Beach, FL. It's 10b-11. The key is only about ½ mile wide and 3-4 miles long.

I'm new at this format for posting text with photos embedded so there may be some fits and starts. I'm planning to story of our garden there , but I'll start by showing what types of palms are found around the island. The settlement of New Plymouth is at the southeast end and is relatively protected for the prevailing winds. The year round population is ~ 450. I'll start the tour there. The Abacos are vulnerable to hurricanes just as Florida, but they were spared of any significant hurricanes for 25 years ending in 1999 with a direct strike by Hurricane Floyd a cat 4 when it struck wind were 145mph. Then in 2004 there were Frances @105mph, & @Jeanne 115mph and in 2005 it was Wilma and in 08 Hanna. So all of these are survivors.

[GTClover]

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[GTClover]

[GTClover]

Now heading north:

This little marina/development is the first to use a few different species, the availability of which is also a more recent phenomenon and the landscaper is the same person who did ours which I'll post about in a separate thread.

Edited March 30, 2010 by GTClover

[GTClover]

Thrinax excelsa? or morrisii?

Edited March 30, 2010 by GTClover

[GTClover]

And these are in my neck of the woods on Coco Bay which is on the Sea of Abaco side of the island.

Cocothrinax, but I'm not sure which species. The book I have shows barbadensis with smooth trunk and argentea as rough so these would appear to be barbadenis. Our landscaper calls them "Silver Palms" and I believe they are native. Our landscaper who is also a native and very knowledgeable about these things says they can't be transplanted successfully.

Edited March 30, 2010 by GTClover

[GTClover]

The next few are in our yard.

Edited March 30, 2010 by GTClover

[GTClover]

And

Thanks

Susan

Edited March 30, 2010 by GTClover

[epicure3]

Beautiful palms in a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing those pictures.

[bubba]

Susan, Thank you for a spectacular introduction to Green Turtle in the Abacos.I spent alot of time at Walker's over the years(is it still closed). Is Rosies still there? More recently, most of the time was spent at Marsh Harbor and Hope Town.The Abacos are one great group of islands.I had a friend on Green Turtle who swears to this day he saw tiny snow flakes on that infamous 1/19/77 event. Still find that hard to believe. Thanks again for a shot of paradise.

[Ryland]

My what a beautiful place. Other than the hurricanes, I would imagine that the Bahamas could be one of the best places to grow tropical palms. And it doesn't get quite as hot as Florida in summer. Lovely coconut in the last shot!

[sur4z]

Susan-Great shots and quite a change from White River Junction. I spent some time at the Hotel Coolidge during my DartColl days.

[sur4z]

What about "The Dot" or "The Tally House"? Are they still in the White River/Lebanon area?

[GTClover]

Susan, Thank you for a spectacular introduction to Green Turtle in the Abacos.I spent alot of time at Walker's over the years(is it still closed). Is Rosies still there? More recently, most of the time was spent at Marsh Harbor and Hope Town.The Abacos are one great group of islands.I had a friend on Green Turtle who swears to this day he saw tiny snow flakes on that infamous 1/19/77 event. Still find that hard to believe. Thanks again for a shot of paradise.

My what a beautiful place. Other than the hurricanes, I would imagine that the Bahamas could be one of the best places to grow tropical palms. And it doesn't get quite as hot as Florida in summer. Lovely coconut in the last shot!

Susan-Great shots and quite a change from White River Junction. I spent some time at the Hotel Coolidge during my DartColl days.

What about "The Dot" or "The Tally House"? Are they still in the White River/Lebanon area?

Thanks for the comments! It definitely is a nice break from VT at least for most of the winter for sure. Today (and yesterday) it's been cold and rainy.

Bubba, I haven't been up as far as Walkers which is still closed except for customs. Rosies is still going strong I'm told. If and wen we get our boat out there, heading north will be on the agenda. There are endless empty beaches to be explored!

And surt4, despite frequent attempts to close the "Dot" including an attempt to burn it down is still there! The fire did take out "Harry's Pool Hall" There has been some efforts to re-vitalize White River Junction the downtown is looking very shabby. The lack of a sales tax in NH has had a very bad effect on VT border towns. The Coolidge

is still there but I'm not sure you'd want to stay there now!

Susan

Edited March 30, 2010 by GTClover

[sick1166]

nice