[Ozzello]

Areca, Foxtail and Christmas palms ... NOT for this area, and are becoming commonly planted. (Add Norfolk Island Pine to this list as well)

If you do the research (or remember the past) you will see these palms are DAMAGED most winters here. Damaged is not just a little brown from frost, it hits the center bud (heart) of the tree and takes more than a season for recovery... or kills the tree. on a 10 year freeze cycle, they are all DEAD. Horticulture is a SCIENCE, and doesn't change because some uneducated landscape designer wants to convince you they are better than other designers because they will plant these beautiful palms.. and give you a warrantee that EXCLUDES FREEZING (Acts of God) Find a designer with ANY college in FLORIDA horticulture, landscape design, or FL agriculture and you hang on to that unicorn.

These palms are beautiful, yes. But go find a healthy 20-year-old specimen of any of these (recently planted doesn't count) and I will remove this post and apologize for the following statement:

Any landscaper encouraging use of these palms in your landscape, either doesn't know what they are talking about, or is just plain greedy beyond any sort of integrity.

Rant is over, but if you already planted one of these palms, good luck this year. The acorns are dropping REALLY heavy. No that isn't science from a book, but sometimes the old-timers around here were on to something.

[JohnN]

European Fan Palms, Windmill Palms, Sugar Palms and Sable Palms do great.

[Ozzello]

Originally Posted by JohnN

European Fan Palms, Windmill Palms, Sugar Palms and Sable Palms do great.

Agreed, as do many others. But this post is to warn people of a trend that has been getting widespread traction, to plant these 3 palms. I am not looking to promote anything, but to keep focus on the buyer beware warning here.

[Bonanza]

Ozello . . . You forgot to mention one more that shouldn't be planted here and they are abundant . . .

The Queen Palm. Landscapers push them because they are cheap. I happen to call them trash trees because they always look like they have frizzle top but the bottom line is this is not the proper zone area for them.

[NotGolfer]

We have a neighbor who has a Norfolk pine that's grown quite tall and full. During Ian, it tipped a bit and now is anchored with a rope and stake. Seemed to do o.k. during Nicole. It's been in place now for a number of years.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by NotGolfer

We have a neighbor who has a Norfolk pine that's grown quite tall and full. During Ian, it tipped a bit and now is anchored with a rope and stake. Seemed to do o.k. during Nicole. It's been in place now for a number of years.

Norfolk Island Palms are very fragile trees and should NEVER be planted close to a house or any kind of structure. They should be planted out in the open, if at all. They blow over very easily in high winds. Your neighbor should remove the tree and not stake it because its integrity has been compromised and is unsafe.

[coralway]

This is The Villages. Science don’t work here.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by coralway

This is The Villages. Science don’t (sic) work here.

A lame comment. It has nothing to do with science. It has to do with common sense.

This Norfolk Island Pine is native to the South Pacific and does not do well in our plant zone.
If you are ignorant regarding the tree, read about it and get educated.
If you buy one or get one for Christmas, DON'T plant it outside in your yard!

[Southwest737]

I am one of the “ignorant” who has planted a Norfolk pine. There appear to be a bunch of these trees around TV and someone forgot to tell them that they can’t survive these harsh central FL winters. ������

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

A lame comment. It has nothing to do with science. It has to do with common sense.

This Norfolk Island Pine is native to the South Pacific and does not do well in our plant zone.
If you are ignorant regarding the tree, read about it and get educated.
If you buy one or get one for Christmas, DON'T plant it outside in your yard!

Why so vociferous?

[sowilts]

Agree with Southwest. Have six, including two that arrived in a box from North Carolina. Have noticed palm trees in Virginia. What is sad is a Live Oak at the roundabout Corbin Trail and Marsh Bend Trail was split down the trunk and will require removal. Over 100 years old.

[Travelhunter123]

Originally Posted by Indydealmaker

Why so vociferous?

Great word
I had to look it up

[Wondering]

Originally Posted by Ozzello

Areca, Foxtail and Christmas palms ... NOT for this area, and are becoming commonly planted. (Add Norfolk Island Pine to this list as well)

If you do the research (or remember the past) you will see these palms are DAMAGED most winters here. Damaged is not just a little brown from frost, it hits the center bud (heart) of the tree and takes more than a season for recovery... or kills the tree. on a 10 year freeze cycle, they are all DEAD. Horticulture is a SCIENCE, and doesn't change because some uneducated landscape designer wants to convince you they are better than other designers because they will plant these beautiful palms.. and give you a warrantee that EXCLUDES FREEZING (Acts of God) Find a designer with ANY college in FLORIDA horticulture, landscape design, or FL agriculture and you hang on to that unicorn.

These palms are beautiful, yes. But go find a healthy 20-year-old specimen of any of these (recently planted doesn't count) and I will remove this post and apologize for the following statement:

Any landscaper encouraging use of these palms in your landscape, either doesn't know what they are talking about, or is just plain greedy beyond any sort of integrity.

Rant is over, but if you already planted one of these palms, good luck this year. The acorns are dropping REALLY heavy. No that isn't science from a book, but sometimes the old-timers around here were on to something.

Roebelenii palm is another. Tampa and south is the zone.

[Villages Kahuna]

Add Queen Palms. They will be badly damaged by one or two days of sun-freezing temperatures, maybe killed. If damaged, they’ll look terrible for a couple of years.

Do you want to know what palms to plant? Plant what the Developer plants. They employ experts to choose tree and plant varieties which require less maintenance, less water, and are weather tolerant for this area. Plant varieties that you like or those “peddled” by local stores or nurseries at your own risk.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by Indydealmaker

Why so vociferous?

Why so vociferous? Mainly, to make a point.

Being ignorant does not mean anyone is stupid, which is what many people think.
It's more synonymous with unawareness. Those who have planted Norfolk Island Pines really need to read/learn about them before planting them, as with many other botanical things.

No harm intended.

Google "Right Plant, Right Place" for help and information.