History of Palm Plantings in Britain

[John in Andalucia]

In a recent topic discussing the history of palm plantings in Los Angeles, an enlightening article includes a somewhat disparaging and sweeping statement on the ability of palm trees to thrive in Britain. 

The article, written by Dan Nosowitz includes the following paragraph:

'Los Angeles, for what it’s worth, wasn’t the only place to try copying the French Riviera. The British tried it too, in a place called Torbay, although even in the far south of England it’s just not warm enough for palms to really thrive. They did their best, though, with a palm called the New Zealand cabbage palm, planted all over the area. It’s basically a shrub.'

Actually, that's basically a snub. 

Well, Dan - 'No-idea-wotz-a-poppin'... all that changes today!

Although 'yesterday' was different, I admit...

Great Yarmouth Seafront c.1950's

Señor 'Nos-o-so-little'... here's a reminder that not all palm trees come from warm and exotic climates:

Enter the great British botanist, Robert Fortune, who - when not disguised as a Chinese merchant stealing tea plants away into India - was responsible for the discovery of the most excellent Chusan Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) which, fortunately, is not a shrub. 

First introduced into cultivation in the UK in 1843 it continues to thrive throughout southern, eastern and western regions of the UK, as well as the 'far south of England'.

And as a result of increasing temperatures over the decades, the Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis) can also be found alive and well, at least throughout the UK's capital city of London - as I'm constantly reminded on my way home from work each day. 

Thank you, Mr. Robert Fortune. To think that I cycle past the site of your grave every morning, but didn't realise it until now. Amazing what a bit of research can reveal! 

Victory, fertility and peace to you all! 

 

[Matthew92]

I just visited London for the first time and saw a good amount of Trachycarpus and some Mediterranean fan palms- and also a few Phoenix canariensis or dactylifera (they were small).

[John in Andalucia]

15 hours ago, Opal92 said:

I just visited London for the first time and saw a good amount of Trachycarpus and some Mediterranean fan palms- and also a few Phoenix canariensis or dactylifera (they were small).

I hope you had an enjoyable time in London!

The Phoenix you saw were definately canariensis. They can never match the height of their Mediterranean cousins, but do put on a lot of girth with a full crown.

There are five or six mature specimens on my ride home.

Incidentally, mature P. dactylifera did appear in London in the 1980's for Stanley Kubrick's 'Full Metal Jacket', when the region known as Docklands - in the East End of London (before it was developed into swanky offices and apartments) - was used as a set to recreate wor-torn Vietnam. After filming, they were donated to local authorities, who tried unsuccessfully to grow them. A major freeze in 1987 (the year the film was released) finished them off.

 

[Matthew92]

4 hours ago, John in Andalucia said:

I hope you had an enjoyable time in London!

The Phoenix you saw were definately canariensis. They can never match the height of their Mediterranean cousins, but do put on a lot of girth with a full crown.

There are five or six mature specimens on my ride home.

Incidentally, mature P. dactylifera did appear in London in the 1980's for Stanley Kubrick's 'Full Metal Jacket', when the region known as Docklands - in the East End of London (before it was developed into swanky offices and apartments) - was used as a set to recreate wor-torn Vietnam. After filming, they were donated to local authorities, who tried unsuccessfully to grow them. A major freeze in 1987 (the year the film was released) finished them off.

Cool! those look better than many in my area. Most of the ones I saw were in pots, although I did see one in the ground that was just trunking.

I loved London! We spent close to a week there before visiting other places in Europe. And even then, it was not enough time! I loved the history and culture, and people were friendly. 

Of course, what I really soaked in was the landscape: coming from an area where native trees are scrub oak and pine growing in poor sandy soil, I was floored at how lush and healthy all the vegetation was around London- it appears that the soil there is quite fertile. It was as if most any tree there was growing to it's full potential. We went to Kew Gardens the first day and I was astounded at some of the huge, old trees there. 

What interested me greatly as well was the climate of the UK, specifically London. I checked a USDA hardiness zone map for the island, and was surprised to find that London is in zone 9a (which is warmer than my zone in Northwest Florida!) If no one had told me, at first glance I would have guessed the climate there was similar to somewhere in the U.S. midwest. The sycamores (London plane trees), deciduous oaks, and northern looking conifers really reminded me of Southwest Illinois where I used to live. I mean I did know that the climate of GB was moderated being surrounded by ocean close to where the Gulf Stream ends, but it still is amazing how moderated it is considering it's on the same latitude as central Canada which gets absolutely brutal winters.

I found it to be quite amazing that being the U.S. equivalent to zone 9a, there were various spruces, fir trees, and birches growing happily. None of that would stand a fleeting chance in my zone 8b with the brutally hot, sultry summers, and yet inconsistent, short, cold spells throughout the winter months. I guess the big difference is that the winters in London have many chilling hours that last longer and are more consistent throughout the winter which satisfies the growing requirements for such northern trees.

I found it interesting though that it appears that London has gotten pretty darn cold in the past with the Thames freezing over, and a winter like 1963, or some other cold waves like you mentioned from the 80's that were much colder than the -3 to -6 range which has been trending there lately.

What I also found interesting was the rainfall. I actually was a little disappointed I didn't get to experience some classic English weather (cloudy, drizzly, cool). I know the average tourist wouldn't like that, but I am a weather geek and was ready for a break from FL summer heat (it was 36.1 c when I left). We ended up getting sunny skies every day in London, with temps in the 26-29c range (it was still a relief from the extreme FL heat). So upon getting there and seeing how lush and healthy all the vegetation was, I was under the impression that the London area received quite a lot of rainfall, but was surprised to find out that they get only about 22 inches per year. One graphic I saw showed that the west side of the island gets a lot more rainfall off the Atlantic, but there is a divide about halfway across from which the eastern side (London) gets a whole lot less. While I was there, I did notice that a lot of grass was brown, and realized a slight drought was occurring. I don't like to see plants dry, so I hope you all have gotten some or will get some rain soon.

In all, London seems to have an awesome climate that fulfills enough chilling hours for more northern trees, and yet is mild enough for things like Eucalyptus (saw some outstanding specimens), some palms, Cordyline, etc. Also it is great for some of those finnicky trees that like some cold but not too hot like Giant Sequoia, Coastal Redwood, Cedar of Lebanon, Laburnum, etc.. I also noticed that many Mediterranean species were doing very well. And was also thrilled to see a healthy, mature loblolly pine (Southeast U.S. pine used to sultry hot summers) at Kew which was another testament to the accommodating climate there.

I can't wait to visit again. I plan to post pictures from my visit in another thread.

Edited July 11, 2018 by Opal92

[John in Andalucia]

Well said, Matt. Let me know the next time you're over! I work in the heart of the city. 

I think this graphic says more than I could about the changing climate in the UK. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change_in_the_United_Kingdom

[Matthew92]

4 hours ago, John in Andalucia said:

Well said, Matt. Let me know the next time you're over! I work in the heart of the city. 

I think this graphic says more than I could about the changing climate in the UK. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change_in_the_United_Kingdom

Wow, that is quite drastic!

[Dave-Vero]

London used to freeze over.  

Back around 1990, Heathrow airport had potted Trachycarpus outside, just to impress visitors.  A bit more recently, I was kind of impressed to see a north Florida shrub, Illicium floridanum, outdoors along a south-facing fence at Wakehurst Place, Kew's garden in the country near Gatwick airport.  But now I've found it cultivated in northern Delaware, looking fine after a really rough winter.   

I've never been in London when it was really cold, not even a January visit.