California Fan Palm Tree

Detailed Description

Description
Stately and distinctive, the California Fan Palm is one of the most widely grown palms in subtropical climates. California Fan Palm can grow 60' tall with a crown spread of 15'. The massive gray trunk is barrel shaped and ringed with old leaf scars, and may reach over 3' in diameter at its widest point. It can have up to thirty gray-green palmate (fan-shaped) leaves, each 3-6' across. They spread out to form a loose and open crown. The petioles (leaf stems) of mature palms are armed along the margins with curved thorns; those of young palms are largely unarmed. The individual leaflets are pendulous and swing freely in the wind. Abundant cotton-like threads on and between the leaflets persist even when the palm is mature. If old leaves are not removed, they form a continuous "petticoat" from the crown all the way to the ground. The California Fan Palm produces numerous branching flower clusters that project out and often downward from the leaf crown. The bisexual blossoms are white and yellow and give rise to oblong or round red-black fruit, each about a half inch in diameter. The fruits of California Fan Palm contain a single seed, approximately 1/4" in diameter.

Usage
Plant California Fan Palm outdoors in a site that can accommodate the large head of leaves, and is not directly under power lines or other structures. Use the California Fan Palm in natural and formal groupings and in large open areas. It is perfect for street, avenue and parkland planting where it typically is spaced about 30' apart. Young California Fan Palms also can be grown in pots or tubs on decks or in indoor areas, such as conservatories or atriums that have bright light.

Features
The California Fan Palm has numerous fine attributes including cold hardiness, fast growth and drought and salt resistance. This palm is inexpensive, adapts to most soils, is easy to grow and transplant, and is very hardy. The genus was named in honor of George Washington. The species name, filifera, comes from both Latin and Greek words meaning thread-bearing.