2 very tall and historical Phoenix sylvestris in Ocala, FL

[Eric in Orlando]

Sunday I was in downtown Ocala, FL (about 80 miles northwest of Orlando). I came across 2 very tall, old Phoenix sylvestris. These are just about the tallest Phoenix sylvestris I have seen.

[Eric in Orlando]

These palms are located on the east side of downtown, on the block bordered by Broadway St. on the south, Silver Springs Blvd (Hwy 40) to the north and Osceola Ave. on the west. Railroad tracks run north/south through Osceola Ave. The block to the west of the palms used to be the Ocala House,a huge grand hotel that was built in 1883 (torn down in 1972). In 1895, Florida railroad tycoon Henry Plant purchased the hotel. he owned the railroad that ran behind the hotel (and still there in Osceola Ave.). He built a depot there. The hotel was "L" shaped so when you came by train and exited the depot you walked through a fine subtropical garden. I can't find any photos but I imagine the street was lined on both sides with Phoenix sylvestris. These were very popular in Central Florida in the late 1800s then faded away until recently becoming popular again. This would give a tropical look to guests arriving by train.

Here is the Ocala House hotel and the depot;

 

 

 

[Eric in Orlando]

This is the tallest of the 2 Phoenix sylvestris. There is also an old, rare tree growing next to it, Ilex rotunda, Kurogane Holly. This is a subtropical/warm temperate species native from southern Japan, southern China, Taiwan and Vietnam.

[Eric in Orlando]

The tall palm to the right is an old Sabal palmetto.

 

[Eric in Orlando]

[PalmatierMeg]

I think Phoenix sylvestris is the most beautiful species in the genus. It really grows well in our humid climate. Cape Coral has some nice specimens planted at the base of its south toll bridge. I love the old photos. Last night I watched a local PBS documentary about the "Two Henrys" (Plant and Flagler), two Gilded Age tycoons responsible for bringing development and tourism to FL via creation of railroads and many grand hotels. Before their efforts FL was the least populated state east of the Mississippi and better known and feared for tropical diseases like yellow fever.

[Eric in Orlando]

Here is the 2nd specimen;

[Eric in Orlando]

There are 3 Phoenix hybrids growing near it.

[Eric in Orlando]

[Matthew92]

Awesome! I love very old palms. Those have seen some serious cold over the years. Probably completely defoliated more than once in the 80's.

[Kailua_Krish]

Wow! I grew up there and never knew why there were such large palms at what used to be the library. They definitely define the skyline there!

[kinzyjr]

Thanks for sharing @Eric in Orlando

[Eric in Orlando]

19 hours ago, PalmatierMeg said:

I think Phoenix sylvestris is the most beautiful species in the genus. It really grows well in our humid climate. Cape Coral has some nice specimens planted at the base of its south toll bridge. I love the old photos. Last night I watched a local PBS documentary about the "Two Henrys" (Plant and Flagler), two Gilded Age tycoons responsible for bringing development and tourism to FL via creation of railroads and many grand hotels. Before their efforts FL was the least populated state east of the Mississippi and better known and feared for tropical diseases like yellow fever.

 

Its great to see Phoenix sylvestris become popular again in the last 10 years. It is being planted everywhere around here; homes, commercial landscapes and street and highway plantings. I always wondered why they weren't being grown. They are much better suited to Florida than P. canariensis and P. dactylifera. The Phoenix sylvestris form being grown now has bright orange petioles. I believe this is the "Robusta" form that the seed starting becoming available about 15-20 years ago.

There is a Two Henry's Brewery appropriately enough in Plant City.

[Eric in Orlando]

17 hours ago, Opal92 said:

Awesome! I love very old palms. Those have seen some serious cold over the years. Probably completely defoliated more than once in the 80's.

 

Ocala probably got below 15F  maybe to 10F in the 1980's freezes. Maybe there were more of the palms with these 2 but were killed off.

[Eric in Orlando]

14 hours ago, krishnaraoji88 said:

Wow! I grew up there and never knew why there were such large palms at what used to be the library. They definitely define the skyline there!

Just north of downtown Ocala is Union Station depot. It was built in 1917, the 2 railroad lines (ACL and SAL) that ran through Ocala combined their depots. There are 2 or 3 tall old Phoenix sylvestris there too. The ACL depot that was downtown was torn down shortly after. This was the depot across from where the palms I photographed. I didn't get to Union Station, I have seen the palms on Google streetview. Someone like Phoenix sylvestris back then.

[Kailua_Krish]

Yeah I've been there too and seen those, from recollection the ones downtown are the nicest. Ocala has greatly warmed with the urban heat island. Even within my lifetime I have seen a big shift in what is growing there and 2010 only got down to maybe 19 where I garden at so not devastating for a 9a climate zone. Of course another 1980s could always be around the corner 

[Kris]

Dear Eric,

Thanks for those lovely visuals...

Love,

Kris.

 

[Eric in Orlando]

One of the tallest I have seen in this area is in Winter Park at an old estate.

 

 

[Eric in Orlando]

A couple of older specimens downtown Orlando.

[Eric in Orlando]

Found this, photo of the old Ocala library, built in 1916 and torn down in 1968 . It sat on the property where these 2 palms are. Look to the right and behind the building, a Phoenix sylvestris!

[Eric in Orlando]

At the current library there are some murals painted. One is of the 1916 building. A Phoenix sylvestris is in it to, right side palm.

[Palmlover.]

On 1/30/2018 at 12:28 PM, Eric in Orlando said:

Sunday I was in downtown Ocala, FL (about 80 miles northwest of Orlando). I came across 2 very tall, old Phoenix sylvestris. These are just about the tallest Phoenix sylvestris I have seen.

There is also one by a pawn shop about 80 feet tall in that area

[ck_in_fla]

On 1/31/2018 at 5:37 PM, Eric in Orlando said:

A couple of older specimens downtown Orlando.

Those are at the site of the old Harley Hotel.  I remember those from the time I first came to Orlando in 1966.  At the bottom of the hill is Lake Eola.  On this side of this building that faces the lake, they have more recently landscaped with Bottle Palms.

[Pal Meir]

As roadside trees in Uttar Pradesh (natural habitat):

[bubba]

Connecting with the true iconic “developers of Florida” theme (ie Flagler and Plant), it is interesting to note some of Flagler’s old palms: 

[bubba]