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Originally Posted by Happydaz
It is often difficult to get accurate information from many of the landscapers in The Villages. Sometimes new Villagers will choose a landscaper on the basis of the lowest price and not the highest expertise. There are numerous reputable professional landscape companies around The Villages. They have the right equipment and expertise to do a good job.
In regards to your problem with Queen palms and Washingtonian palms, the University of Florida doesn't recommend either Of these palms for our 9A zone here in The Villages. It is too cold here for these palms. The Washingtonian Palm also grows much too large for small yards. Still I see your point, why do the landscapers plant these too close to the driveway? They often do it because that is where the homeowner wants it. People get testy if you tell them the truth and they will keep looking around to find someone else to do the job, so many "landscapers" just go ahead and do it as they won't be around when the homeowner has a problem.
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Washingtonias and queen palms do fine in this climate (zone 9a) if you go by the County Extension, scientific research, facts and the books the University of Florida uses to teach students enrolled to get a degree in horticulture. We just had 24F (2 degrees below our avg. lowest) and the queens barely frosted tips. Even if Chicken Little's friends started agreeing with him, that wouldn't make the sky fall.
Yes, most of the landscape installers will plant too close to a driveway on the 'short' side to attempt getting some height on that corner for balance, because they lack either experience, knowledge, or integrity. You end up with the same problem unfortunately. Be it a palm, a Ligustrum, a Holly or Bottlebrush... too close is too close and the future could hold cracked concrete.
The good landscapers will be discussing this conundrum with you, the alternatives and good ways to still get this balance without endangering your drive and eaves in the future.