Basic Palm Tree Facts

A palm tree or a grouping of palms can add substantial structural elements to a household garden. These sturdy, evergreen tropical plants belong to the family Palmae. Even young palms have a tree-like appearance, due to their characteristically wide trunks. Many gardens have been transformed into palm tree gardens, i.e. gardens with a high volume of palms along with minimal flowering plants. Most of these are ornamental palm tree species that are easy-to-maintain and add to the aesthetic appeal of the garden. 

Types of Palm Trees

There are nearly 3000 species of palm trees known. For simple identification, they can be divided into 2 categories: 

1. Palms having pinnate, i.e. feather-shaped leaves
2. Palms having palmate, i.e. fan-shaped leaves

The pinnate leaves grow on either side of a defined central axis, just like a bird’s feathers. The Palmate species has a typical leaf structure wherein the leaf segments grow outwards from a common point. This structure resembles the shape of the human hand.  

The palm tree stem is typically unbranched, erect, cylindrical-shaped and becomes larger towards the ground. Its extension could be in the form of cones or scar-like formations.

Palm Tree Care 

Length of day. This is the most critical factor that decides the growth pattern of this tree. The initiation of flowering and subsequent development of the upper branches depends heavily on the day’s length, i.e. sun-lit conditions. This is why colder conditions cannot support palm tree growth. Too much rain, along with cloudy conditions and shade extended by nearby buildings, walls or other trees can hamper a palm tree’s growth. It needs substantial sun radiation throughout its life. 

Water. Palms are the ideal choice for low-maintenance landscapes but most species need only a bare minimum of water to survive. You should know the maximum extendable period up to which your palm can withstand very dry conditions. When buying a palm tree, you will want to ask if your palm tree can fulfill its water needs through rainfall alone or if it will need weekly watering. 

Pruning. Some palms shed the fronds naturally while other delay the process. Many palm tree varieties need manual pruning. You should not prune the fronds too close to the trunk. Pruning excessively can lead to increased vulnerability to diseases along with limiting the tree’s ability to tolerate warm conditions.