palm proportions and cold tolerance

[Tropicdoc]

I've noticed that the more tropical a palm is, the larger the crown compared to the diameter of the trunk. In general. Also, more tropical species tend to have dependent leaflets (drip tips), whereas species from colder and drier areas have upright leaflets (like in a v). What palms break these rules? (I want to know because I like a tropical look, but I live in a temperate zone.)

[Pando]

  Quote

the more tropical a palm is, the larger the crown compared to the diameter of the trunk

Uh, not sure about that. Just look at Rhopalostylis sapida vs. Cyrtostachys renda

The lipstick palm is infinitely more tropical than the rhopie.

[Kostas]

2 very nice species that look as tropical as it gets or get a huge tropical looking crown on relatively thin trunk are Howea forsteriana and Beccariophoenix alfredii. Both are sure grows in 9b. Of course in the same zone, you can also grow Acrocomia aculeata and Roystonea regia and many many more!

If you don't get too hot or have tall shade, Ceroxylon echinulatum is also great

I am a big fan of pendant/droopy leafs myself, so I know what you mean! Pretty much most palms I grow in my garden have characteristics like those you describe: huge crowns on thin trunk or sufficiently droopy leafs to look like they are from tropical rainforests

For a less than 9b zone, choices are much more limited. Parajubaea toralyi(both forms) can be quite droopy and beautiful. P. cocoides can't grow in 9a, at least not reliably.

Livistona decora is pretty droopy and impressive and certain T. fortunei can be very droopy and nice, especially after they see some wind. Sabal uresana is big and has pendant leaflets as well.

Although not usually thought as droopy and certainly not from a rainforest, Brahea armata look pretty droopy as adults with big leafs hanging down. Some W. robusta the same.

The classic Syagrus romanzoffiana is also a nice grow and can get pretty royal palm looking if very well grown.