Selecting a palm Tree for my area

[Ivan604]

Hi I am from the Van BC area and i was wondering if y'all got any tips for selecting a palm tree? Hopefully someone from a similar zone (8b). Sure I've seen Trachycarpus Fortunei flourish around the nicer neighbor hoods around, like in Downtown. Never seen any other varieties from what I recall. I think the Wash. Robusta could do decently given that I winterize it.

[RFun]

12 hours ago, Ivan604 said:

Hi I am from the Van BC area and i was wondering if y'all got any tips for selecting a palm tree? Hopefully someone from a similar zone (8b). Sure I've seen Trachycarpus Fortunei flourish around the nicer neighbor hoods around, like in Downtown. Never seen any other varieties from what I recall. I think the Wash. Robusta could do decently given that I winterize it.

Sabal Palmettos and Sabal minor will work.  They should be slower growing there.  Needle Palm should work.  Pindo Palms and European Fan Palms should also work.  Expect slower growth there. 

Edited February 24, 2024 by RFun

[Allen]

Your best bet by far in your area if you don't have any palms is Trachycarpus fortunei.  

[Chester B]

Based on the last few winters in Vancouver your number one and number two are Trachycarpus fortunei and Trachycarpus wagnerianus.  I would've told you in the past Chamaerops humilis both the regular form and blue form (cerifera) were bulletproof but even those were really damaged or killed.  Sabal minor, Sabal lousiana, and Sabal birmingham should work but will be painfully slow.  Sabal palmetto will die, many have tried with both trunking and small ones - not enough heat.  Needle palms may be hit and miss but worth a shot.

Some other ones that will work but will require protection from time to time are Jubaea chilensis and Butia odorata.

If you don't follow him, I would recommend Palm Daddy on YouTube.  He's on Bowen Island and has documented what has happened the last few winters.  He is an experienced gardener and is very good at being truthful and knowledgeable about growing palms and exotics in your area.  He had quite a few nice palms prior to 2021.

https://www.youtube.com/@palmdaddy

 

 

[RFun]

21 hours ago, Chester B said:

Based on the last few winters in Vancouver your number one and number two are Trachycarpus fortunei and Trachycarpus wagnerianus.  I would've told you in the past Chamaerops humilis both the regular form and blue form (cerifera) were bulletproof but even those were really damaged or killed.  Sabal minor, Sabal lousiana, and Sabal birmingham should work but will be painfully slow.  Sabal palmetto will die, many have tried with both trunking and small ones - not enough heat.  Needle palms may be hit and miss but worth a shot.

Some other ones that will work but will require protection from time to time are Jubaea chilensis and Butia odorata.

If you don't follow him, I would recommend Palm Daddy on YouTube.  He's on Bowen Island and has documented what has happened the last few winters.  He is an experienced gardener and is very good at being truthful and knowledgeable about growing palms and exotics in your area.  He had quite a few nice palms prior to 2021.

https://www.youtube.com/@palmdaddy

 

 

Sabal Palmettos will get enough heat in Vancouver.  I've seen them in that area.  Expect slow growth.  Chamaerops aren't that hard to protect (if needed).  Well worth it if you ask me.

Edited February 25, 2024 by RFun

[Las Palmas Norte]

Much depends on where you are in Vancouver and how far you're willing to go with protection. I've experimented six ways to Sunday with many palms over 40 years. All palms have the potential to die in this climate despite the zone 8 designation. Some rarely do, but the risk could still exist.

1. Trachycarpus fortunei
2. Trachycarpus wagnerianus (somewhat less hardy)
3. Rhapidophyllum hystrix (sometimes the center main trunk will die in the first few years. Recommend overhead protection for at least a couple of years)
4. Chamaerops humilis (as above)
5. Sabal minor (site in the hottest sunniest part of your garden) 

Other palms can be attempted but will need varying degrees of seasonal protection. Much higher likelihood of death but can be mitigated. 

 

[Las Palmas Norte]

1 hour ago, RFun said:

Sabal Palmettos will get enough heat in Vancouver.  I've seen them in that area.  Expect slow growth. 

No way. I'd really like to know where these are. I've been in the region since 1969, know many of the exotic enthusiasts, and I have never seen any other than failed attempts.

[Allen]

13 minutes ago, Las Palmas Norte said:

Much depends on where you are in Vancouver and how far you're willing to go with protection. I've experimented six ways to Sunday with many palms over 40 years. All palms have the potential to die in this climate despite the zone 8 designation. Some rarely do, but the risk could still exist.

1. Trachycarpus fortunei
2. Trachycarpus wagnerianus (somewhat less hardy)
3. Rhapidophyllum hystrix (sometimes the center main trunk will die in the first few years. Recommend overhead protection for at least a couple of years)
4. Chamaerops humilis (as above)
5. Sabal minor (site in the hottest sunniest part of your garden) 

Other palms can be attempted but will need varying degrees of seasonal protection. Much higher likelihood of death but can be mitigated. 

 

Spot on

[Trustandi]

If you like washingtonia, try not to plant Washingtonia robusta, it is too tender in your area. Try to find a Washingtonia filibusta, it will have a better survival rate. Even though, it defoliates below 20F. 

[Chester B]

1 hour ago, Las Palmas Norte said:

No way. I'd really like to know where these are. I've been in the region since 1969, know many of the exotic enthusiasts, and I have never seen any other than failed attempts.

I've seen photos of a couple in Seattle in a preferred area, but no backstory on them.  I've seen many try and fail, they seem to peter out over a few years.  Portland is the area where you start getting enough heat to have them make it, in the right spot.

[Ivan604]

Could I get away with sheltering some of the palms with c9 lights & insulation board? Like possibly the sabals & wash

[ZPalms]

24 minutes ago, Ivan604 said:

Could I get away with sheltering some of the palms with c9 lights & insulation board? Like possibly the sabals & wash

You could get away with doing that to a washie or even a chamaerops, but I'm unsure about sabals because the lack of heat and such would just make them sooooooo slow. That dude on YouTube, James Palms, had a Sabal palmetto in Ontario, Canada, and it just grew so slow that it looked like it wasn't moving and eventually died, even though he did protect it.

But he has a good example of protecting his washies and they are big 

 

Edited February 26, 2024 by ZPalms

[Jimhardy]

No mulch but nice palms for sure

[Ivan604]

On 2/25/2024 at 10:48 PM, ZPalms said:

You could get away with doing that to a washie or even a chamaerops, but I'm unsure about sabals because the lack of heat and such would just make them sooooooo slow. That dude on YouTube, James Palms, had a Sabal palmetto in Ontario, Canada, and it just grew so slow that it looked like it wasn't moving and eventually died, even though he did protect it.

But he has a good example of protecting his washies and they are big 

 

Yes thanks, i did watch a few vids of James and was thinking of doing a very similar idea to it. I'll have to think of a few modifications to it since the place Im at isnt ours, but there is a lotta backyard space at the least. I do have a Wash Robusta on the way in June with some other palm seeds as well.

[Ivan604]

On 2/25/2024 at 4:00 PM, Las Palmas Norte said:

Much depends on where you are in Vancouver and how far you're willing to go with protection. I've experimented six ways to Sunday with many palms over 40 years. All palms have the potential to die in this climate despite the zone 8 designation. Some rarely do, but the risk could still exist.

1. Trachycarpus fortunei
2. Trachycarpus wagnerianus (somewhat less hardy)
3. Rhapidophyllum hystrix (sometimes the center main trunk will die in the first few years. Recommend overhead protection for at least a couple of years)
4. Chamaerops humilis (as above)
5. Sabal minor (site in the hottest sunniest part of your garden) 

Other palms can be attempted but will need varying degrees of seasonal protection. Much higher likelihood of death but can be mitigated. 

 

Thankfully I'm not more out east in the lower mainland. My place is near the airport so its slightly less snow during the winters

[ZPalms]

6 minutes ago, Ivan604 said:

Yes thanks, i did watch a few vids of James and was thinking of doing a very similar idea to it. I'll have to think of a few modifications to it since the place Im at isnt ours, but there is a lotta backyard space at the least. I do have a Wash Robusta on the way in June with some other palm seeds as well.

On the bright side, trachycarpus, washingtonia and chamaerops are much more forgiving to dig up and take to a new place if you moved

[Chester B]

@Ivan604 you're going to have a bit of a harder time boxing palms in Vancouver vs Ontario due to the high humidity and rain fall in BC in winter.  Southern Ontario is very humid in summer but much drier in winter.  I think you'll need to ensure some good air circulation and may want to spray with copper fungicide while its in the box as a preventative measure.  Don't box anything up until the first real cold shows up, and open up for ventilation on nice days.  Also Washies don't really like PNW winters, Salem/Portland seems to be the limit for the odd unprotected one, north of that and they struggle even more.  I had a nice one that was provided overhead protection from rain, but no heat and it did great, but its much warmer in Portland.  It is worth keeping the crown protected and dry for November until you box it sometime likely in late Dec/early Jan.  When its warm enough to unbox for the year, it will probably still be in the rainy season so keep that overhead protection from rain on, until things dry out a bit.

[WSimpson]

This guy Banana Joe can tell you anything you need to know about palms in the Vancouver area . I hope the link works .

Will

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/224326877583815/

[Las Palmas Norte]

10 hours ago, Ivan604 said:

Thankfully I'm not more out east in the lower mainland. My place is near the airport so its slightly less snow during the winters

Ya, Abbotsford and Chilliwack can be nasty during the cold events. I lived in South Delta for 28 years (1973 - 2001).

[RFun]

On 2/25/2024 at 7:06 PM, Las Palmas Norte said:

No way. I'd really like to know where these are. I've been in the region since 1969, know many of the exotic enthusiasts, and I have never seen any other than failed attempts.

 

Edited February 27, 2024 by RFun

[Las Palmas Norte]

That looks like it could be at Phil's place out in Cloverdale. I'm wondering what he does to winter that. I wonder if there's a newer more current video?

[RFun]

17 minutes ago, Las Palmas Norte said:

That looks like it could be at Phil's place out in Cloverdale. I'm wondering what he does to winter that. I wonder if there's a newer more current video?

It should be hands off there in the Winter (at least for the most part).  I would make sure I added supplemental water in the Summer.  But, anyway, if you get one of those cold snaps where you spend a long time under freezing, then you'd add protection to your palms like your Pindos, Sabal Palmettos and Chamaerops.  If you don't want to add any protection, just go with Sabal minor and Needle Palms.

Edited February 28, 2024 by RFun

[Ivan604]

14 hours ago, Chester B said:

@Ivan604 you're going to have a bit of a harder time boxing palms in Vancouver vs Ontario due to the high humidity and rain fall in BC in winter.  Southern Ontario is very humid in summer but much drier in winter.  I think you'll need to ensure some good air circulation and may want to spray with copper fungicide while its in the box as a preventative measure.  Don't box anything up until the first real cold shows up, and open up for ventilation on nice days.  Also Washies don't really like PNW winters, Salem/Portland seems to be the limit for the odd unprotected one, north of that and they struggle even more.  I had a nice one that was provided overhead protection from rain, but no heat and it did great, but its much warmer in Portland.  It is worth keeping the crown protected and dry for November until you box it sometime likely in late Dec/early Jan.  When its warm enough to unbox for the year, it will probably still be in the rainy season so keep that overhead protection from rain on, until things dry out a bit.

How would I go about controlling the humidity? I am planning to get some wireless thermometers for the boxes.

[Chester B]

8 hours ago, Ivan604 said:

How would I go about controlling the humidity? I am planning to get some wireless thermometers for the boxes.

That is a tough one.  I had a green house and I couldn't keep it under 95% humidity in winter.  I ran fans continuously as well as some C9 bulbs, not for heat but I found they did knock the humidity down a few %.  I usually had some fungus issues by spring that I would have to deal with.

[Ivan604]

Thanks to Palm Daddy on YT, I found a Chamaerops Humilis at a local garden center in North Van. The 7 Gal Palm was $100 on sale so of course I had to get it since it was a good deal here, due to the rarity. Planning to repot it now before summer kicks in.

[Harry’s Palms]

Good luck with the Chamaerops , they are very nice palms . I bought mine 20+ years ago and have enjoyed the look of this palm . Mine never clumped so it is a single trunk that carries a lot of fronds without browning. Here , in my warm temperate climate , they are very common and much less expensive. Harry