Is this area wrong for this triple king?

[Breaktheory]

Hello King Palm Kings…

I have a triple king (it’s really more like 3 palms rooted in one 20g - not actually a multi trunk)

I have a space with concrete on 2 sides and a metal fence on a third that will allow me about 4-6” of space between rootball and wall of the hole..

What can I expect if I plant this in such a confined space? 

thanks as always 

 

[Merlyn]

I am by no means a King Palm King, but I looked at some online photos.  The base of a Cunninghamiana isn't too enormous, but I'm guessing 3 trunks in that space would expand to overfill that space and interfere with the wall, concrete, fence, or all three.  You might be able to fit a solo king in there.

[Breaktheory]

9 minutes ago, Merlyn said:

I am by no means a King Palm King, but I looked at some online photos.  The base of a Cunninghamiana isn't too enormous, but I'm guessing 3 trunks in that space would expand to overfill that space and interfere with the wall, concrete, fence, or all three.  You might be able to fit a solo king in there.

Agreed, I think a solo would work well but was curious whether the trees would interfere with the concrete or just accept their confines, adapt and grow more thinly.

[Merlyn]

1 hour ago, Breaktheory said:

Agreed, I think a solo would work well but was curious whether the trees would interfere with the concrete or just accept their confines, adapt and grow more thinly.

I haven't actually seen what happens when palm trunks try to expand into immovable concrete.  Maybe they push themselves to the side, and hork up the fence?  Or do they just expand oblong into a weird shape?  Or do they partially grow over the top of the concrete like an oak?  Hmmm...good question!

[Jim in Los Altos]

No worries at all. King palms work great in confined ares. Of my 50 mature ones, several are inches from my house, some even closer! Their roots are never a problem and trunks will even conform to objects they grow against. 
 

[Breaktheory]

Great to know thanks Jim - I see your massive flamethrower has ignited for the season

[Jim in Los Altos]

19 minutes ago, Breaktheory said:

Great to know thanks Jim - I see your massive flamethrower has ignited for the season

Thanks but the photo is from October of 2020.

[iDesign]

Here's another size reference for you. Triple King bought at a big box store approx 10yrs ago (looked similar to yours when purchased)...

The above-ground base is approx 22" across. That's an 18" ruler in the photo. You can also see my women's size 10 foot that accidentally got in the photo. The base gets pretty big. I'm currently assuming this is as wide as it will get, but not totally sure. Based on my measurements, you should plan on at least 22" in each direction for the base (ideally more).

Also consider that the three trunks will likely curve away from each other over time (like mine did). Happily it appears the trunk that's close to my glass fence won't hit it, but it's a bit close for comfort (even though it was far away when I planted the triple). Something to consider if you have a wall or other obstruction nearby.

Based on your photo it looks iffy whether the base would fit, but when you consider the fact that the trunks will bow out, it looks too tight to me (i.e., even if the base fits, one of the trunks would likely push the fence over). That's mainly because it's a triple though.. Jim's amazing yard is proof that you can fit singles in small spots. It's more the "bowing out" problem that happens with multiple plantings that I'm worried about in your case (since it's a triple). If you really want a King Palm there, perhaps you could consider buying a single and putting the triple elsewhere?

I purchased this triple king before I started collecting more exotic palms, but have no regrets. It grew fast and provides nice shade for the plants below (as well as my hut). I'll be expanding the planter beneath the triple king next spring so that I can add some more exotic stuff as well (for example, a Dypsis Carlsmithii will go in front of the areca palms, where grass is currently).  The triple king provides much needed shade in this corner, allowing me to have a large planter beneath it.

I personally view my king palms as shade-providers for other plants and a tall central figure for the planter. I wouldn't consider it to be an "accent" plant, even though it looked "cute" when young. With that in mind (and considering its eventual girth), I'd recommend finding a different spot for yours (unless you have 22" width or more in your chosen spot, and room for the trunks to bow out).

If it turns out you don't have enough room for your triple king in your current spot you could definitely consider putting a single King there. Though might I suggest you consider the following as well...
- Dypsis leptocheilos (teddy bear palm)
- Chambeyronia macrocarpa or hookeri (flamethrower)
- Archontophoenix purpurea (purple king)
With the first two you might have to trim some of the fronds until it clears the fence. But one of these seem like a better match for that particular spot to me. Then put the triple king in a spot with a bit more room (and possibly be the central focus in a future planter).

[Dusty CBAD]

A single king would be fine there.

Don’t plant the triple there. Your issue won’t be the size of the trunks at the base against the concrete. The problem is the trunks will bend away from each other. They will push into that metal fence and concrete pillar. They might not bend it or push it over, but that’s just not the spot for that. I have 4 sets of triple kings planted by previous owner. All bending away from each other. One of them now resting on shared fence with neighbor. They take a large foot print as a triple.

[Breaktheory]

Now that I see what your triple did I @iDesignmay reconsider as even if it thrives - that’s a large spread and I agree this is a space for an accent palm @Dusty CBAD has a good point that it just won’t look very nice pushed against the surrounding wall and fence (also a staircase on another side)

I would love a teddybear and a flame thrower somewhere but that area gets hammered with full direct sun all day so I’m not sure it’s the right space - somewhere in the garden for sure though

 

 

[iDesign]

19 minutes ago, Breaktheory said:

I would love a teddybear and a flame thrower somewhere but that area gets hammered with full direct sun...

Sounds like a good Dypsis leptocheilos spot to me 
From one online resource... "This Palm requires 80-100% sunlight. Depending on your location full sun is often best. "
* Downside would be that you would have to trim the fronds closest to the fence until it cleared it. But the fence wasn't very high if I'm recalling correctly.

Another option might be Dypsis onilahensis (either upright or weepy)... I've heard those can take a ton of sun, and am planning to put one in a relatively hot spot. That would also give you a nice multi-trunk palm to mix things up (similar to what you were picturing with the triple king, but with MUCH thinner trunks). Photos are at http://www.palmpedia.net/palmsforcal/Dypsis_onilahensis#:~:text=Dypsis onilahensis is one of,beautiful palms one can grow.

Chambeyronia might not be an ideal choice if full sun. I tortured one of mine in full sun and while the leaves did better than expected, the trunk developed a burn spot (:: regrets ::)

I'm sure there are other good options as well. Or a single king might be a good choice if you had your heart set on putting a king there. 

[Breaktheory]

2 hours ago, iDesign said:

Sounds like a good Dypsis leptocheilos spot to me 
From one online resource... "This Palm requires 80-100% sunlight. Depending on your location full sun is often best. "
* Downside would be that you would have to trim the fronds closest to the fence until it cleared it. But the fence wasn't very high if I'm recalling correctly.

Another option might be Dypsis onilahensis (either upright or weepy)... I've heard those can take a ton of sun, and am planning to put one in a relatively hot spot. That would also give you a nice multi-trunk palm to mix things up (similar to what you were picturing with the triple king, but with MUCH thinner trunks). Photos are at http://www.palmpedia.net/palmsforcal/Dypsis_onilahensis#:~:text=Dypsis onilahensis is one of,beautiful palms one can grow.

Chambeyronia might not be an ideal choice if full sun. I tortured one of mine in full sun and while the leaves did better than expected, the trunk developed a burn spot (:: regrets ::)

I'm sure there are other good options as well. Or a single king might be a good choice if you had your heart set on putting a king there. 

Ohh maybe the Teddy Bear would work with the sun then! I think for that area though I’m looking for something more full with foliage - as you said, the kings look cute now but once they grow up they might just look awkward. Those Onilahensis are really nice looking and I could see those going in though.