Do fake palm trees ever add to a property?

[cbmnz]

For some reason this came up in my youtube feed. Do these provide a cool effect or just tacky fakes?

If you could afford a 20M place in this location could you not have real, well maintained Washingtonia and just replace them when 5-10 year freezes take them out?

 

 

[SeanK]

A few years back I saw still photos of a $10^6 property. It had BR palmettos planted but an artist added pinnate fronds . Perhaps the landscaping is incomplete and it is just staging. 

I would plant mule palms if Washies could survive.

[miamicuse]

What about artificial turf used in many new construction homes?  Ugly or water saving eco friendly?

[Palmarum]

I wonder if they light up...

 

[BayAndroid]

I guess the one thing I would say is, they may be staging with these to allow you to install whatever trees you want (suggestive of a type of palm tree) in that sense, I would appreciate it. But yeah, they look pretty fake and cheesy. I would never leave them there. 

[Rivera]

23 minutes ago, miamicuse said:

What about artificial turf used in many new construction homes?  Ugly or water saving eco friendly?

Ugly, and not much eco friendly about it in my humble opinion... it's plastic! And often full of weeds in a few years. If you live somewhere you can reasonably grow natural turf grass, enjoy. If not, I'd prefer other options to artificial turf.

I think we'll be looking back at artificial turf kind of like how we're now looking back at average 1970s architecture in the US. Yikes!

I do use a patch of artificial turf it in our teeny tiny concrete floor atrium to soften the space, but I'd never cover a large area with it. Fake plants are a drag in general. 

[Looking Glass]

Looks cheap and tacky.   The outside of the house looks sterile and barren.   I feel the same way about artificial turf….  Has pretty limited applications IMHO.  They need not have palm trees, but some trees and shrubs and accent plants that grow well in their area would breathe life into the outside of that place.  

[Kim]

Do fake palm trees ever add to a property? Usually my answer would be a flat 'no.' 

There are some palm trees inside Terminal 2 at San Diego International Airport that I presume are fake, but look pretty realistic. In this case, to me they seem "okay" and not too cheesy., though real palms would look so much better. As there are plenty of real palm trees just outside, the effect is to bring the outdoors inside, not to create some kind of bizarre fantasy. It mostly works. However, I would not expect them to be a credible addition to an outdoor garden. 

 

 

[sonoranfans]

Could be so much better with real plants and trees, even non palms would definitely be preferable.  If the weather doesn't permit palms find alternatives.  If I had to remove those it would be a negative in terms of increased cost.  But I am not trying to pretend I live somewhere warm, perhaps that is what sells it to somebody from zone 5.

[miamicuse]

What about inflatable palms?

[miamicuse]

The other thing that seems to be getting very popular is artificial turf walls.  I even see them on exterior stone walls of museums and botanical gardens now.

[Silas_Sancona]

If i had that much money to blow, i certainly wouldn't have fake palms / plants ..or that house / property..  Sterile, Irritatingly boring, and more of a  " Look at me"  kind of ego-driven status symbol  ..if you get the hint..

Just think of the kind of garden you could create, on the amount of land even a quarter of that $20 mil could purchase..  I'll take that, ...and still have plenty i can donate, or help deserving people with. 

[Palmfarmer]

I am confused. Why are they using fake palms? Is this in some really cold part of Texas? 

[cbmnz]

4 hours ago, Palmfarmer said:

I am confused. Why are they using fake palms? Is this in some really cold part of Texas? 

Northwest part of DFW area according to Google maps. From all the reports on palmtalk some trunking palms will do quite well there for a few years between freezes. Not that I have any knowledge,  the closest I have been to there is Houston, once, back in 2000.

[Quasarecho]

Judging by their architectural aesthetic, poorly designed, fake palms are a perfect match.

[Palmas]

On 4/10/2023 at 8:11 PM, Kim said:

Do fake palm trees ever add to a property? Usually my answer would be a flat 'no.' 

There are some palm trees inside Terminal 2 at San Diego International Airport that I presume are fake, but look pretty realistic. In this case, to me they seem "okay" and not too cheesy., though real palms would look so much better. As there are plenty of real palm trees just outside, the effect is to bring the outdoors inside, not to create some kind of bizarre fantasy. It mostly works. However, I would not expect them to be a credible addition to an outdoor garden. 

 

 

When it comes to fake palm trees, my usual stance tends to be a straightforward "no." However, there are exceptions. Take, for example, the ones nestled inside Terminal 2 at San Diego International Airport. Surprisingly, they manage to strike a balance between realism and artificiality, avoiding the cheesy vibe that often accompanies fake foliage. In this specific setting, where real palm trees thrive just outside, the faux ones serve a purpose. They seamlessly extend the outdoor ambience indoors, rather than creating a jarring fantasy world. It's a pragmatic choice that, for the most part, works well within the space. That being said, I wouldn't consider fake palm trees a credible addition to an outdoor garden. There's just something irreplaceable about the authenticity of real foliage when it comes to outdoor landscaping.

[PalmatierMeg]

On 4/10/2023 at 6:28 PM, Silas_Sancona said:

If i had that much money to blow, i certainly wouldn't have fake palms / plants ..or that house / property..  Sterile, Irritatingly boring, and more of a  " Look at me"  kind of ego-driven status symbol  ..if you get the hint..

Just think of the kind of garden you could create, on the amount of land even a quarter of that $20 mil could purchase..  I'll take that, ...and still have plenty i can donate, or help deserving people with. 

Hear, hear!

Fake palms/trees & artificial turf in a residential area are abominations. I know Cape Coral Code Enforcement tends to crack down on such nonsense. If you're up for committing abominations anyway, be sure to check your area's ordinances on fake landscaping to find out what permits you need. I know in FL you may be asking for a heap of trouble erecting tall, fake foliage because of yearly hurricane season. I'm sure you would be required to anchor that stuff deep into the earth with metal cables. Unsightly and I cringe thinking what destruction another Ian will wreak - and there will be another Ian (and Irma and Charley) .....

[Palmas]

14 hours ago, PalmatierMeg said:

Hear, hear!

Fake palms/trees & artificial turf in a residential area are abominations. I know Cape Coral Code Enforcement tends to crack down on such nonsense. If you're up for committing abominations anyway, be sure to check your area's ordinances on fake landscaping to find out what permits you need. I know in FL you may be asking for a heap of trouble erecting tall, fake foliage because of yearly hurricane season. I'm sure you would be required to anchor that stuff deep into the earth with metal cables. Unsightly and I cringe thinking what destruction another Ian will wreak - and there will be another Ian (and Irma and Charley) .....

While I understand the aesthetic appeal of fake palms and artificial turf in some contexts, I agree that in a residential area, they can be quite controversial. Besides potential code enforcement issues, there are valid concerns about their environmental impact and resilience during extreme weather events like hurricanes. It's essential to consider the local ordinances and regulations before installing such landscaping features to avoid any legal or safety issues down the road.

[Silas_Sancona]

20 hours ago, PalmatierMeg said:

Hear, hear!

Fake palms/trees & artificial turf in a residential area are abominations. I know Cape Coral Code Enforcement tends to crack down on such nonsense. If you're up for committing abominations anyway, be sure to check your area's ordinances on fake landscaping to find out what permits you need. I know in FL you may be asking for a heap of trouble erecting tall, fake foliage because of yearly hurricane season. I'm sure you would be required to anchor that stuff deep into the earth with metal cables. Unsightly and I cringe thinking what destruction another Ian will wreak - and there will be another Ian (and Irma and Charley) .....

As is obvious in my last post, Agree, 100% ..Would add installing fake grass ( ..or plants ) in municipal settings  ( ...Parks / Commercial  landscapes, outdoor athletic - use areas ) is dumb as well.

Having seen numerous reports of what has happened to fake grass installations after serious flooding events in areas that don't see tropical systems, i can only imagine what would happen ( ...and likely did occur ) in places like FL after being " ground n' drown " by cat 3-5 generated floods / tidal action.   Taller fake plants like trees / palms? ..I highly doubt anyone there needs any additional potential " hurricane missiles "

What's funny about the whole fake grass " fad " ( ..Err, " Flash " fad honestly ) is what was touted as a potential solution to grass itself, is now being banned by more and more city / county / state authorities due to the increasing, scientific evidence of problems w/ it..  Forever chemicals leaching into the soil ..and ground water.. Micro plastic issues from wear, the smell of it,  etc..

As much as i dislike non native " turf " grasses,  at least natural grass  -on it's own-  won't release harmful chemicals / pieces of plastic into the environment, even if it can spread into places it doesn't belong.  It also does help keep a yard cooler,  where as the fake stuff is HOT  -no matter what some  salesman says when trying to promote it..

I have sections of PVC pipe used for germinating seeds that need deep pots that scorch from sitting in the sun,  a couple 5gal containers that actually melted last summer..  ..as though i placed them over an open flame for a few seconds.. 

Yard full of plastic grass / plants? ..after a summer like last year or '19, 2020 here? ..imagine it would smell like a plastic dish that got a little too close to a stove burner.  Plastic itself also dries out quickly,  causing it to deteriorate / become brittle, and break into a gazillion pieces faster.  Yes, i know fake grass is made up of ..supposedly more durable material, but,  ..Isn't much that outsmarts the power of AZ sun for long..  While the grass blades themselves might take longer to break up / break off,  Heat itself causes more gassing of the chemicals it is made of.

 IMO only, here, fake grass generates much more heat than even a yard that has nothing but gravel / rock, and no plants providing -any- shade above the rock, which can be plenty hot itself.

  FYI, Yard full of rock, minus any  plant cover? = not all that attractive / very unimaginative too. Might as well just lay concrete everywhere, ...and roast / complain about the air conditioning bill, lol.



 

[Jim in Los Altos]

I have hundreds of palms and even more other plants but refuse to waste money keeping a natural lawn watered in this very dry summer climate. I need areas of turf however so artificial is the only way to go in my case as well as many here in CA. It’s ideal in shady areas too, where natural grass would be hard to keep dense and healthy. I’d never consider fake palms however, even if I lived in a climate that was adverse to growing real ones. 
 

[JLM]

Yes they add a lot to your property. A lot of trash! 😂
 

Lordy that was a knee slapper!
 

(This post is meant to be extremely cringey, just like the thought of having fake palms)

[ruskinPalms]

For 20 million dollars, the potential buyer could easily afford using real palms as semi annuals anyway. The fake San Diego palms at least look mostly natural. I’ve seen some fake ones in malls that also look at least a little close to natural. And in those cases, live ones could not be grown well so realistic fake ones are as good as it gets. As far as the fake turf goes, I dunno, I can see where it might be necessary in some areas that get very little rain. But, I agree the overall microplastic waste that it ultimately breaks down into might not be worth it and you might have to accept something else. I live in Florida, have reclaimed water irrigation, and even in a dry year it is wetter than Southern California and Arizona here, yet I still really, really suck at growing a decent turf grass lawn. Here, it needs not so much water but constant chemicals that I don’t think are any better than the plastic turf breaking down into microplastics etc. 🤷‍♂️

[Silas_Sancona]

9 minutes ago, ruskinPalms said:

As far as the fake turf goes, I dunno, I can see where it might be necessary in some areas that get very little rain. But, I agree the overall microplastic waste that it ultimately breaks down into might not be worth it and you might have to accept something else. I live in Florida, have reclaimed water irrigation, and even in a dry year it is wetter than Southern California and Arizona here, yet I still really, really suck at growing a decent turf grass lawn. Here, it needs not so much water but constant chemicals that I don’t think are any better than the plastic turf breaking down into microplastics etc. 🤷‍♂️

For areas like AZ ( ..and California, warmer areas where " traditional " turf grasses are a struggle ) there are alternatives to those " traditional " non native turf options, such as the U.C. / California Buffalo Grass.. As mentioned a few times,  UofA ( Arizona,  not Alabama ) had been trialing a mix of 2 or 3 native, low growing, warm season grass options that appeared to be an viable option that is both water conservative, and tough enough to handle our summer heat. Biggest hurtle with getting this potential option a wider audience  has been funding for continued research / implementation.  If i could, i'd contact them to see if i could sign up to further trial this, at least in the  front yard..  Have observed the specific grasses studied myself and see their potential application as a turf option as -at the very least- feasible. 

* This *  is a big and valid point..    Fake grass = micro plastic and forever chemical pollution / contamination,  " Natural " turf cultivation / maintenance = potential pollution from abuse / over use of chemical Ferts / Herb and Pesticides. 

Here, partially because i'm not a turf jockey  ( a combined 6 years of slinging pallets of grass will help one see the truth about lawns, lol ) ..and won't be a slave to a worthless patch of  " boring ",  just to satisfy some outdated view of a passer by..   i myself don't use anything  on the lawns to keep them green.. Only thing i do is leave whatever amount of clippings are generated when i cut  on the grass,  then scalp,  almost to ground level, in winter / and rake out any excessive looking areas of accumulated dead stuff.. That's perhaps the only good thing about Bermuda ..can torture the H... out of it, ..and it comes back.. 

 Bugs?  that's what the birds / lizards / other bugs are for..  Have and are jabbed regularly by our native black fire ants ..i let the lizards and birds keep their numbers in check.. I'm sure there are grubs out there, but the birds keep them in check too.  That said, compared to places i've lived where the lawns were regularly treated / over fertilized, etc, i see very little Chafer / May / June Beetle activity   ..What many of the grubs you see in lawns eventually turn into..

Lawn might look " eh " this time of year when semi dormant, ( Is winter so who cares anyway )  but is green and thick as can be all summer   ..And i don't pollute / waste very little time, $$, and energy on keeping it looking " good ". 

As mentioned, if i could ( Am still considering doing so regardless ), it would be ripped out and replaced with something like the native turf / " mow-able ", low growing meadow option mentioned above, ...and / or  filled with more plants that serve an actual purpose  ...other than trying to flash an assumed status symbol sign to someone i don't / won't ever know,  nor care about the antiquated opinion(s) of...


A couple other things i forgot to add about fake grass.   The sales dude slepping it will tell someone it is easy to maintain.. Not really.  Still have to rake out accumulated stuff that blows onto / settles into it..  Weeds, tougher ones at least,  can grow through it / eventually tearing it up..   Have feral cat issues? ..Hot plastic smell + Cat pee / poo smell? = ...X 10+..

Here, our dust storms can present a unique challenge for that stuff  too..  Even w/ gravel, most who sell it advise that it be refreshed / topped off about every ...decade?.. or so  If not, layer of dust that gets laid down pretty much every spring /  summer can eventually bury the gravel that is in place.   Same idea w/ fake grass, perhaps more so because a yard full of plastic ..or natural.. grass is like a head of hair and can trap a higher %' age fine particles better than rock..

[Palmas]

On 2/23/2024 at 9:58 PM, Silas_Sancona said:

For areas like AZ ( ..and California, warmer areas where " traditional " turf grasses are a struggle ) there are alternatives to those " traditional " non native turf options, such as the U.C. / California Buffalo Grass.. As mentioned a few times,  UofA ( Arizona,  not Alabama ) had been trialing a mix of 2 or 3 native, low growing, warm season grass options that appeared to be an viable option that is both water conservative, and tough enough to handle our summer heat. Biggest hurtle with getting this potential option a wider audience  has been funding for continued research / implementation.  If i could, i'd contact them to see if i could sign up to further trial this, at least in the  front yard..  Have observed the specific grasses studied myself and see their potential application as a turf option as -at the very least- feasible. 

* This *  is a big and valid point..    Fake grass = micro plastic and forever chemical pollution / contamination,  " Natural " turf cultivation / maintenance = potential pollution from abuse / over use of chemical Ferts / Herb and Pesticides. 

Here, partially because i'm not a turf jockey  ( a combined 6 years of slinging pallets of grass will help one see the truth about lawns, lol ) ..and won't be a slave to a worthless patch of  " boring ",  just to satisfy some outdated view of a passer by..   i myself don't use anything  on the lawns to keep them green.. Only thing i do is leave whatever amount of clippings are generated when i cut  on the grass,  then scalp,  almost to ground level, in winter / and rake out any excessive looking areas of accumulated dead stuff.. That's perhaps the only good thing about Bermuda ..can torture the H... out of it, ..and it comes back.. 

 Bugs?  that's what the birds / lizards / other bugs are for..  Have and are jabbed regularly by our native black fire ants ..i let the lizards and birds keep their numbers in check.. I'm sure there are grubs out there, but the birds keep them in check too.  That said, compared to places i've lived where the lawns were regularly treated / over fertilized, etc, i see very little Chafer / May / June Beetle activity   ..What many of the grubs you see in lawns eventually turn into..

Lawn might look " eh " this time of year when semi dormant, ( Is winter so who cares anyway )  but is green and thick as can be all summer   ..And i don't pollute / waste very little time, $$, and energy on keeping it looking " good ". 

As mentioned, if i could ( Am still considering doing so regardless ), it would be ripped out and replaced with something like the native turf / " mow-able ", low growing meadow option mentioned above, ...and / or  filled with more plants that serve an actual purpose  ...other than trying to flash an assumed status symbol sign to someone i don't / won't ever know,  nor care about the antiquated opinion(s) of...


A couple other things i forgot to add about fake grass.   The sales dude slepping it will tell someone it is easy to maintain.. Not really.  Still have to rake out accumulated stuff that blows onto / settles into it..  Weeds, tougher ones at least,  can grow through it / eventually tearing it up..   Have feral cat issues? ..Hot plastic smell + Cat pee / poo smell? = ...X 10+..

Here, our dust storms can present a unique challenge for that stuff  too..  Even w/ gravel, most who sell it advise that it be refreshed / topped off about every ...decade?.. or so  If not, layer of dust that gets laid down pretty much every spring /  summer can eventually bury the gravel that is in place.   Same idea w/ fake grass, perhaps more so because a yard full of plastic ..or natural.. grass is like a head of hair and can trap a higher %' age fine particles better than rock..

I've been exploring alternatives to traditional turf grasses for my Arizona yard, where maintaining a lush lawn can be quite challenging. The University of Arizona has been experimenting with native, low-growing grass options that thrive in warm climates while conserving water—a promising solution that's unfortunately hindered by funding constraints. Personally, I've observed the potential of these grasses and would love to participate in further trials, especially for my front yard.

I'm not a fan of fake grass due to its environmental impact, including microplastic and chemical pollution. Instead, I prefer a low-maintenance approach, letting nature take its course with minimal intervention. My Bermuda grass might look dull in winter, but it flourishes in summer without the need for excessive care.

When it comes to pests, I rely on natural predators like birds and lizards to keep populations in check, reducing the need for chemical treatments. Despite the occasional challenges, my lawn stays green and healthy without significant pollution or wasted resources.

Considering alternatives like native turf or meadow options, I envision a yard filled with purposeful plants rather than a superficial status symbol. Plus, fake grass comes with its own set of issues—from weed growth to odors and maintenance requirements, not to mention challenges with dust storms.

As for fake palm trees like Mexican Palm Tree, Royal Palm Tree, and Florida Palm Tree, they do offer some benefits. They can add a tropical vibe to landscaping without the maintenance demands of real palms. However, it's important to consider their environmental footprint and ensure they're made from sustainable materials to minimize negative impacts.

[mlovecan]

I find fake palms attractive when all covered with lights (including flashing plastic coconuts) at the entranceway of a club and feel they add nicely to an already kitschy, fun atmosphere.  Also, those fake palm cell phone towers can be interesting, especially when you walk past them for a week on vacation before realizing it.

But on a private property (especially something in the price range of the one in the video), bleah! 

[Silas_Sancona]

3 hours ago, Palmas said:

As for fake palm trees like Mexican Palm Tree, Royal Palm Tree, and Florida Palm Tree, they do offer some benefits. They can add a tropical vibe to landscaping without the maintenance demands of real palms. However, it's important to consider their environmental footprint and ensure they're made from sustainable materials to minimize negative impacts.

Fake palms  ~anywhere~ ,  esp in   ....Florida  ( ...or Hawaii )  ..where anyone interested can grow  -just about anything, anywhere??  No bueno..
👎👎


  Blunt,  but,    Anyone who can't handle regular ...or occasional.... maintenance of -any- living  plant(s)?  bugs?, leaves?, ..anything -natural - ?    A loft in a 65 story building,  in the middle of a soul draining concrete " jungle "  is  probably the perfect place to call home. 

[Ivanos1982]

ugh not in my personal opinion. Tacky and just NO. If I had money I would pay to get them removed ASAP

[Zeeth]

52 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Fake palms  ~anywhere~ ,  esp in   ....Florida  ( ...or Hawaii )  ..where anyone interested can grow  -just about anything, anywhere??  No bueno..
👎👎


  Blunt,  but,    Anyone who can't handle regular ...or occasional.... maintenance of -any- living  plant(s)?  bugs?, leaves?, ..anything -natural - ?    A loft in a 65 story building,  in the middle of a soul draining concrete " jungle "  is  probably the perfect place to call home. 

I think the person you're replying to is a bot. All their posts are just re-hashed summaries of other posts in this thread.

[Hardypalms]

I would never have a plastic palm period 🤮

I would rather have nothing!

Pat

[Silas_Sancona]

1 minute ago, Zeeth said:

I think the person you're replying to is a bot. All their posts are just re-hashed summaries of other posts in this thread.

You're probably right / noticed that as well..  Point still stands though,  Just to leave a wiggle room.  

🤔 Perhaps its time to fumigate for Bots again,  ha ha.

[Kim]

9 hours ago, Zeeth said:

I think the person you're replying to is a bot. All their posts are just re-hashed summaries of other posts in this thread.

Yes. Thanks for being observant. I reported this on Feb. 21st. AI, in my book. 

[Harry’s Palms]

A local mall has them in planters out front of a restaurant. They are already fading and looking terrible. It’s like they went to a dollar store and bought them . I sent a picture to one of my cycling friends who also collects palms and we both had a good laugh! Here in Ventura County , where we can grow a lot of very low maintenece attractive palms …. Harry , not fond of the plasticarum species or phoniecarum either