Stay or go? Washingtonia palm close to house

[ne2110]

Hi all,

I'm looking for some input on a 20ft Washingtonia palm that is growing very close to our new home in southern California

We contacted a tree trimmer to remove a mass of dead fronds at the top (ended up removing them ourselves) and he insisted that the tree will eventually crack our walkway and should be removed. I've heard that palm roots are much less invasive than other plants, but the base is right up against our walkway and only a couple feet from the front of the house.  

Personally, I have mixed feelings about the appearance of the tree and worry about it damaging the home if it fell during a storm. The debris it creates is also a pain. That said, it provides nice shade for one of our bigger windows during the day. We're planning to start landscaping the front yard soon and may install a low fence, so I'm hoping to make this decision before removal becomes much more difficult.

What do you think? Should it stay or go? If it stays, would skinning the trunk damage the health of the tree?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[GottmitAlex]

I suggest it be removed.

 

[Kim]

As the palm gains height your shade advantage will disappear. This is an extremely common palm, to the point of even being considered a weed by some. If you are doing a complete re-landscape and don’t love it, this is the time to take it out. The palm can eventually become nothing more than a telephonic pole in your garden. But if you love it, keep it. If this were my garden I would remove it sooner rather than later. It is a personal choice. 
 

if you like palms, there are other choices that may be more suitable for your garden. Feel free to ask if interested. 

[Looking Glass]

I’d remove it….  It’s too close, too common and will get too big, too fast.   
But then, I’d think long and hard about my landscaping plans, and put in 10 more palms or other trees, along with a sweet landscaping set up afterward. 

[Collectorpalms]

2 hours ago, ne2110 said:

Hi all,

I'm looking for some input on a 20ft Washingtonia palm that is growing very close to our new home in southern California

We contacted a tree trimmer to remove a mass of dead fronds at the top (ended up removing them ourselves) and he insisted that the tree will eventually crack our walkway and should be removed. I've heard that palm roots are much less invasive than other plants, but the base is right up against our walkway and only a couple feet from the front of the house.  

Personally, I have mixed feelings about the appearance of the tree and worry about it damaging the home if it fell during a storm. The debris it creates is also a pain. That said, it provides nice shade for one of our bigger windows during the day. We're planning to start landscaping the front yard soon and may install a low fence, so I'm hoping to make this decision before removal becomes much more difficult.

What do you think? Should it stay or go? If it stays, would skinning the trunk damage the health of the tree?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

I seriously doubt it is going to crack your sidewalk assuming the sidewalk normal. I have one right on mine too. Roots are pencil thick. It’s probably the biggest at base that it is going to get.
It’s purely up to you. Doubt any storm would take it out either.
I had a horrible freeze that killed 25 very tall Washingtonia. I paid a guy rather cheaply $200 each tree to take down to haul to the street. Though they are potted plant stands a few inches tall. So I didn’t have to grind it all up at base. 

Anyone that can grow them easily in their climate will suggest you take it out as they are so common. Anyone who’s climate is too cold would want it their yard for instant gratification and be happy to be in So Cal. 
 

I got so many cause I was constantly trying to get its cousin the cold hardy California Fan palm, but realized everything was a hybrid. So I feared the BIG Freeze and told myself I better take them down before they get too tall. But I enjoyed them for 20 years before it actually happened. Not many regrets. I get to start over with new palms. However no, I’d not plant another one, but I had seedling sprout up survive the freeze and I haven’t had the heart to take them out yet. 

[Steve Mac]

I have taken out most of my big palms and don't regret or miss any of them. I only have a small block of land.

For me, after a certain size palms/trees become more of a problem than a pleasure.

There are so many little palms that will make you happy but never present a problem or expense in the future.

[5am]

My vote is to keep it. Washingtonia palms are gorgeous! They’re also fast, easy growers and don’t need much if any supplemental care. That’s a win/win in my book! A lot of people don’t like them  because they’re common so if you want your home landscape to be a challenge, this isn’t it.   

My driveway is 40-ish years old with 3 tall old robustas next it and they haven’t caused any damage. Also, I doubt skinning the trunk will harm your tree. Most of them in yards here have the old boots removed. 

The only ‘issue’ I have with mine is that the old dried up leaves will blow off in tropical storms. They’re light weight so they won’t damage a roof or vehicle but they’re armed so wear gloves to pick them up. 

[Las Palmas Norte]

Chainsaw.

[Jim in Los Altos]

4 hours ago, Collectorpalms said:

I seriously doubt it is going to crack your sidewalk assuming the sidewalk normal. I have one right on mine too. Roots are pencil thick. It’s probably the biggest at base that it is going to get.
It’s purely up to you. Doubt any storm would take it out either.
I had a horrible freeze that killed 25 very tall Washingtonia. I paid a guy rather cheaply $200 each tree to take down to haul to the street. Though they are potted plant stands a few inches tall. So I didn’t have to grind it all up at base. 

Anyone that can grow them easily in their climate will suggest you take it out as they are so common. Anyone who’s climate is too cold would want it their yard for instant gratification and be happy to be in So Cal. 
 

I got so many cause I was constantly trying to get its cousin the cold hardy California Fan palm, but realized everything was a hybrid. So I feared the BIG Freeze and told myself I better take them down before they get too tall. But I enjoyed them for 20 years before it actually happened. Not many regrets. I get to start over with new palms. However no, I’d not plant another one, but I had seedling sprout up survive the freeze and I haven’t had the heart to take them out yet. 

 

[Jim in Los Altos]

It’s fine where it is if you decide to keep it. Roots or trunk will not cause any problems. Your Washingtonia is a strong healthy palm and drought tolerant to boot. If you have the trunk cleaned of it’s old leaf bases, it will become a very handsome tree. No matter how tall it gets, if you have other palms in the landscape, it will fit in. 

[Lou-StAugFL]

20 hours ago, 5am said:

My vote is to keep it. Washingtonia palms are gorgeous! They’re also fast, easy growers and don’t need much if any supplemental care. That’s a win/win in my book! A lot of people don’t like them  because they’re common so if you want your home landscape to be a challenge, this isn’t it.   

My driveway is 40-ish years old with 3 tall old robustas next it and they haven’t caused any damage. Also, I doubt skinning the trunk will harm your tree. Most of them in yards here have the old boots removed. 

The only ‘issue’ I have with mine is that the old dried up leaves will blow off in tropical storms. They’re light weight so they won’t damage a roof or vehicle but they’re armed so wear gloves to pick them up. 

Just picked up about 50 fronds that blew off during Hurricane Ian.  They are lightweight but wear leather gloves for sure.  You don't have to pay anyone to remove the old leaves since they blow off in storms.

[ne2110]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate all the excellent advice and it’s great to know that the risks of the tree damaging the walkway are low. 

A couple of you mentioned other options for other smaller/less common species. If you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them. Even if this Washingtonia stays, we plan to plant several other trees in the yard this fall.

[JubaeaMan138]

On 9/30/2022 at 4:12 PM, ne2110 said:

Hi all,

I'm looking for some input on a 20ft Washingtonia palm that is growing very close to our new home in southern California

We contacted a tree trimmer to remove a mass of dead fronds at the top (ended up removing them ourselves) and he insisted that the tree will eventually crack our walkway and should be removed. I've heard that palm roots are much less invasive than other plants, but the base is right up against our walkway and only a couple feet from the front of the house.  

Personally, I have mixed feelings about the appearance of the tree and worry about it damaging the home if it fell during a storm. The debris it creates is also a pain. That said, it provides nice shade for one of our bigger windows during the day. We're planning to start landscaping the front yard soon and may install a low fence, so I'm hoping to make this decision before removal becomes much more difficult.

What do you think? Should it stay or go? If it stays, would skinning the trunk damage the health of the tree?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

This actually looks really killer . What area of so cal is this? 

[quaman58]

I agree with Jim, I think the decision to keep it or not depends on whether or not it's aesthetically pleasing to you.  I would not give a thought to concrete issues, as they don't seem to much with palms. We had our pool and spa literally built around 3 Washintonias 19 years ago and we've had zero issues. (See my avatar) Nor have we had issues with palms around retaining walls and step, one of which really close to a large Roystonea.

[manishmaurya]

It's been a while since your post, but I wanted to offer some insight. I get your dilemma about the Washingtonia palm. Palms can look amazing, but it raises a few concerns when they’re close to the house. I think it comes down to a couple of things. First, how close is it, and how big will it get? 

[Palmfarmer]

Looks great with that Spanish styled house. Dont let the Palm snobs persuade you to remove it. if you like it keep it. If you do decide to remove it put a Brahea in its place. Clara or Armata ideally 

[Palmfarmer]

Go ahead and skin it. That would look amazing and very tidy. 

[manishmaurya]

On 9/23/2024 at 11:14 AM, manishmaurya said:

It's been a while since your post, but I wanted to offer some insight. I get your dilemma about the Washingtonia palm. Palms can look amazing, but it raises a few concerns when they’re close to the house. I think it comes down to a couple of things. First, how close is it, and how big will it get? 

If it's already near the house, its roots could eventually mess with your foundation or underground pipes. Plus, palms drop many fronds, which can be a pain to clean up, especially if they fall near windows or your roof. 
They are beautiful trees; if you love them, consider trimming them regularly to keep them under control or moving them to another spot. I’d also suggest checking with a local tree expert, like the team at axonproperties.ca , for their opinion. They might have some valuable insights on whether it’s worth keeping or if it could cause problems down the road.