Palm tree suggestions

[Dbltake6]

I am in southern AZ, zone 8b, and want to add some palm trees to my yard. I would like a dwarf palm, non-toxic to pets, and without thorns that the dogs would injure themselves on. Any suggestions on what types to consider?

[Brandon39.5]

Here are some suggestions:

1. Brahea armata 

  2. Butia capitata

   3. Trachycarpus fortunei

[Silas_Sancona]

1 hour ago, Dbltake6 said:

I am in southern AZ, zone 8b, and want to add some palm trees to my yard. I would like a dwarf palm, non-toxic to pets, and without thorns that the dogs would injure themselves on. Any suggestions on what types to consider?

Welcome to the forum..  Which species could work for you depends on which side of S. AZ you're located... Sierra Vista / warmer spots around Sonoita, vs. near Nogales.. 

Know the area between Nogales and Sierra Vista  fairly well from travels to Sonoita, Patagonia, and Madera Canyon / Green Valley the last couple summers. Want to get down to the Huachucas sometime before October this year.  Great area with a lot of potential, despite the colder winters down there.

Pretty sure Washingtonia  have been posted here from out near either Benson or Wilcox.. W. filifera would be the hardiest.   Brahea  should do alright, hardier ones of course..  Sabal  is another,  fairly hardy Genus..  S. uresana being our near- native sp. ..from the mountains just south of the border.. Silvery form is supposed to be hardier than the near / coastal Green-leaved form, fyi..  Some great specimens of both forms in gardens in Tucson..

Nannorrhops would be another tough, eye catching  species you could research..  While a super- experimental, if you ever were able to access a few seeds, Bismarckia might be worth trying.

There are a couple Chamaedorea sps  ( C. radicalis, and microspadix ) you could try in a shady moist spot  ( if you have such a micro climate on your property ) that can take some cold..  w/ the extra summer rain / humidity you see down there -most years anyway- tempering the heat, compared to up here near Phoenix,  you may be able to grow some nice -for AZ- specimens of each ..or both.

Hope this helps provide some options to research.. 

 

Edited June 18, 2023 by Silas_Sancona
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[SeanK]

Aside from Trachycarpus, all the above mentioned palms have spines. However, I'm not sure dogs would be injured provided you don't plant Phoenix. The (spiny) mentioned palms are all slow growers as well. You could also consider Chameadoras; radicalis and microspadix.

[Silas_Sancona]

4 minutes ago, SeanK said:

Aside from Trachycarpus, all the above mentioned palms have spines. However, I'm not sure dogs would be injured provided you don't plant Phoenix. The (spiny) mentioned palms are all slow growers as well. You could also consider Chameadoras; radicalis and microspadix.

No Petiole / leaf stalk spines on Sabal,  or Nannorrhops...  " teeth " on Brahea  aren't really a big deal. 

Washingtonia  ( pure  filifera  would be my only choice between the two )  would be the only palm option, besides Phoenix ( ..No thanks, spiny-ness aside.. ) that would have teeth that could snag the pup(s) ..and / or people..