PALM LATITUDES : THEY SAY IT'S A DESERT OUT THERE, AND TROPICAL TREES DEFINITELY THRIVE BOTH IN SOIL AND OUR IMAGINATIONS.Byline: Lori Moody Daily News Staff Writer Don Tollefson Don Tollefson (b. September 14, 1952) is a popular sports anchorman for the Fox 29 News at Ten on WTXF-TV in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. He is the host of Eagles Game Day Live, and also has a radio show on Sports Radio 950 WPEN. is hooked on palms. The 51-year-old attorney has been growing them for more than 20 years. So far, he has 100 palm tree species at his Malibu home. It's a hobby that has taken him to Ecuador and Venezuela for seedlings. ``I was meant to live in the tropics tropics, also called tropical zone or torrid zone, all the land and water of the earth situated between the Tropic of Cancer at lat. 23 1-2°N and the Tropic of Capricorn at lat. 23 1-2°S. , but I never made it,'' said Tollefson, chairman of the Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, Palm Society, whose 452 members favor palms not commonly found in residential landscaping. ``I have the look of paradise without the mosquitoes.'' Love 'em or hate 'em, palm trees symbolize Southern California just as much as the Hollywood sign The Hollywood Sign is a famous landmark in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles, California, spelling out the name of the area in 15.2 m (50 ft)[1] high white letters. , Disneyland and ``Baywatch.'' The stately trees line streets of business districts and neighborhoods and dot parks, golf courses and shopping centers. No one knows the exact number of palms in this area but the city of Los Angeles
Jim Garland, a 37-year-old architect who lives in Encino, has two palms in his back yard. One has a curved trunk that provides a relaxing spot to sit or for his 3-year-old, Max, to climb. ``I get teased about how I bought the house because of the palm,'' Garland said. ``There is some truth to it.'' ``This wacko tree,'' as Garland calls it, was wired and staked by a previous owner so it would grow at an angle to fit in with the design of a circular-shaped swimming pool, Garland said. ``We've never seen a tree like it,'' said Garland's wife, Sarah, 33. ``It certainly is a conversation piece.'' It doesn't matter that they don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. what kind of palm they have. ``The house would be less special without this tree,'' Jim Garland said. In Sherman Oaks, Arnold Newman's home is dominated by 120 palm trees. Newman tore out a suburban lawn and created his own tropical mecca after he and his wife, Arlene, spent time in the rain forest while on an expedition in Colombia in 1965. Besides palm trees, they have bamboo, orchids, bromeliads and other tropical plants. A stream runs through the living room, complete with turtles and koi, a fog mist that operates at the flip of a switch and the requisite hammock hammock, suspended bed, usually of netting, canvas, or leather. The hammock and its name were introduced to Europeans by Christopher Columbus, who learned of them from Native Americans. . ``I can go down into the Valley floor, where it's 105 degrees, and come back here - and there is literally 15 degrees, sometimes 20 degrees, difference because of the habitat I've created,'' said Newman, co-founder and president of the nonprofit International Society for the Preservation of the Tropical Rainforest Tropical rainforests are rainforests generally found near the equator. They are common in Asia, Africa, South America, Central America, and on many of the Pacific Islands. and an author and sometime-TV expert on rain forests. He gets most of his palms through the Palm Society and some from area nurseries. He has gone so far as to get a federal plant introduction permit that allows him to bring certain plants without soil into the country. His collection includes common varieties, such as the Canary Island date palm The Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis) is a large palm native to the Canary Islands off the Atlantic coast of north Africa. It grows up to 20 m tall but usually does not reach 10 m, with a stout trunk 70-90 cm diameter. and Mexican fan palm; and the unusual, including a butterfly palm, which has a bamboolike trunk, and the royal palm, often associated with Florida. He installed a drip system to keep them going while conserving water. ``I learned from trial and error,'' Newman said. ``I enlisted the services at the time of a landscape architect who knew the material. I got the basics, then went wild in adding to it in the most authentic way.'' More than 2,600 palm varieties exist, but the only one indigenous to the state is the California fan palm, which originated in the Palm Springs area. About a dozen palm types are commonly used by people at home, but more than 300 species will grow in this area, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the Palm Society. ``The trick is to grow them in a greenhouse until they're about 3 to 5 feet high,'' Tollefson explained. So which are the most common? The dominant palms in the city are the tall, thin, mop-topped Mexican fan palm - you can see this variety along Sherman Way between Corbin and Tampa avenues - and the thick-trunked, dense Canary Island date palm, also seen on Sherman Way, between White Oak and Lindley avenues. Rounding out the top four are the California fan palm and the queen palm. ``They are good trees for us - low-maintenance, drought-tolerant and survive well in the urban environment,'' said William White William White may refer to: Politics
Anne Kinzle, executive director of the Reseda Chamber of Commerce, said she believes palm trees were planted along Sherman Way as a beautification beau·ti·fy tr. & intr.v. beau·ti·fied, beau·ti·fy·ing, beau·ti·fies To make or become beautiful. beau effort after the demise of the Red Car, the electric trolleys that traversed the Valley for more than 40 years ending in 1952 and which are being revived by a local businessman. ``I think it's beautiful,'' said Edward Crisp, owner of Bu-Ba Beauty and Barber Supply on Sherman Way in Reseda for 31 years. ``It is an attraction to this area.'' When fellow merchant Paul Triestch started Traders Inc. 43 years ago, the palms near his store were probably a third their current height of about 50 feet. ``I love them,'' said Triestch, who was so taken by the palms he planted four at his Agoura home. ``I enjoy driving down to work and seeing them swaying in the wind.'' More recently, 353 palm trees were incorporated into the landscaping of Jurassic Park - The Ride, the latest attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood. Of the 11 varieties planted, 80 were expensive fully grown Canary Island date palms, each 40 to 60 years old and costing $6,000 to $8,000 apiece, design architect Craig Doyle Craig Doyle (born 17 December 1970 in Dublin) is an Irish television and radio presenter. Being educated in catholic schools, the priests wanted Doyle to take to a religious career, but he originally wanted to be a veterinarian. said. The first non-native palms in California were probably date palms that arrived with the Spanish missionaries, said Don Hodel, environmental horticulturist with the University of California The University of California has a combined student body of more than 191,000 students, over 1,340,000 living alumni, and a combined systemwide and campus endowment of just over $7.3 billion (8th largest in the United States). Cooperative Extension Program. ``The missions had to be self-sufficient in those days,'' he said. ``There were no stores. Missionaries always brought food-producing plants with them.'' The next influx of palm plantings most likely came about during the California land boom in the late 1800s, when land was cheap and real-estate sellers enticed potential buyers to head west to land where they could grow orange and palm trees, Hodel said. Mexican fan palms were planted along rural roads in the San Fernando San Fernando, city, Argentina San Fernando (săn fərnăn`dō), city (1991 pop. 144,761), Buenos Aires prov., E Argentina. It is a district administrative center in the Greater Buenos Aires area. and San Gabriel valleys. ``They were brought in to give the impression of paradise and help sell their land to speculators in the East,'' Hodel said. ``They were planting those Mexican fan palms by the thousands.'' As the city grew, the nursery and landscape industry became more important. New and exotic landscaping that included palms was introduced all over Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. . For example, many palms were planted near the Coliseum for the 1932 Olympics. ``Palms have been in and out of vogue over the years,'' Hodel said. ``I think their popularity at this point is rising.'' Some say image is everything in Los Angeles, and if that is true, palms are a good match. ``I think for looks, dramatic appeal, ambience, motif, however you want to say it - that's why people plant palms,'' Hodel said. ``Big, big specimens can be moved successfully and re-established successfully with relative ease. You can move an 80-foot palm. You would never be able to move an 80-foot pine or oak. It would be prohibitively expensive.'' Once you get hooked on palms, consider using one kind together in a mass. ``They are prima donnas,'' Hodel said. ``They tend to clash when you mix all kinds together. They do best when planted in groups of the same kind and not mixing different kinds unless there is a great disparity in height between them.'' Palms grow slowly, but the ultimate height and leaf spread are dramatic. ``Canary Island date palms can have a spread of leaves 35 feet across,'' Hodel said. ``I've seen those things hiding houses.'' And they are hardy. Many palms that grow here descended from desert or arid climates with extremes in temperatures, so they can adapt to very little care once they're established. Palms can use regular irrigation irrigation, in agriculture, artificial watering of the land. Although used chiefly in regions with annual rainfall of less than 20 in. (51 cm), it is also used in wetter areas to grow certain crops, e.g., rice. , but many will survive on little water. ``Amazingly, their water requirements are low,'' Hodel said. On the down side, palms can be messy. ``Palms, like any other tree, drop fruit and drop leaves,'' Hodel said. ``Unfortunately, when a palm drops a leaf, it's a big event because it is so big. ... The fruit also is more conspicuous because it is in clusters.'' After the first year, older or dying leaves and flower stalks can be cut off. Palms also benefit from regular applications of fertilizer. The best is one that contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in a ratio of 3-1-3 or 3-1-2. There also are slow-releasing fertilizers, including magnesium, specially made for palm trees. Plants' prices branch out based on their size, rarity If you want a tropical look without the price of a trip to a tropical island, consider a palm. Because of the slow-growing nature of palm trees, costs often are based on height, priced per foot, said Suzzanne Katz, greenhouse manager of Sperling Nursery in Calabasas. Another factor in the cost: degree of difficulty in obtaining a particular type of palm. Here are some of the outdoor varieties found in area nurseries, with approximate prices: Sago palm sago palm cycasrevoluta. (Cycas revoluta): Grows about 6 inches a year to a height of 10 feet. Long, bright green leaves. This is a popular palmlike tree, although it is related to conifers because it bears cones. It takes full sun or partial shade. $60 for a 5-gallon size to $150 for a 15-gallon size. Dwarf date palm (Phoenix roebelenii Phoenix roebelenii (Pygmy Date Palm or Miniature Date Palm) is a species of date palm native to southeastern Asia from southwestern China (Yunnan) to northern Laos and northern Vietnam. ): Reaches a height of 8 to 10 feet. Fine leafed. Good for entryways, rock gardens and poolside settings. Doesn't produce dates. $27.50 for 10-inch pot to $150 for 15-gallon. Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis): Large, thick trunk. Can grow to 40 feet and has feather-type fronds that can reach a spread of 50 feet. Grows dates, but the fruit is not edible. The upper trunk resembles a pineapple when young. $80 for 15-gallon. Senegal date palm (Phoenix reclinata Phoenix reclinata (reclinata - Latin, reclining) or Senegal Date Palm is a species of flowering plant in the palm family native to tropical Africa, Madagascar, and the Comoro Islands. ): Date-producing. Can reach 35 to 40 feet in height. Has a thinner trunk than the Canary Island date palm and is multitrunked. Dark green leaves. $80 to $100 for 15-gallon. Queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana Syagrus romanzoffiana (Queen Palm) is a palm native to South America, from northern Argentina north to eastern Brazil and west to eastern Bolivia. It had been classified within the Cocos genus as Cocos plumosa ): Fast-growing to a height of about 40 feet. Long, dark-green leaves and grayish-white trunk. Full sun. Fruit can be messy. $25 to $30 for 5-gallon to $70 for 15-gallon. King palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, the Bangalow Palm or King Palm, is an Australian palm. It can grow up to and over 12 metres (40 feet) tall. It's flower colour is violet. It flowers in mid summer and has evergreen foliage. ): Grows about 1 to 1-1/2 feet a year, to a height of 30 feet. It has a green trunk and feather-type fronds that are thicker than and not as wispy wisp n. 1. A small bunch or bundle, as of straw, hair, or grass. 2. a. One that is thin, frail, or slight. b. A thin or faint streak or fragment, as of smoke or clouds. 3. as those of the queen palm. In the Valley, full sun for half a day is best. $120 for 15-gallon. California fan palm (Washingtonia filifera Washingtonia filifera (filifera - Latin "thread-bearing", also known as Desert Fan Palm, American Cotton palms, or Arizona fan Palm, or California fan Palm ): Large trunk and small crown. Grows to about 50 feet. Drought-tolerant. Grayish-green leaves. $25 to $30 for 5-gallon, $70 to $80 for 15-gallon. Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta Washingtonia robusta (Mexican Fan Palm or Mexican Washingtonia) is a palm native to northwestern Mexico. It grows to 25 m tall, rarely up to 30 m. The leaves have a petiole up to 1 m long, and a palmate fan of leaflets up to 1 m long. ): Can grow to 100 feet. Often seen with a long shag shag see cormorant. of dead leaves. As it gets older, the trunk thins at the top. $25 to $30 for 5-gallon, $70 to $80 for 15-gallon. Mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops humilis): A slow-growing palm, the truck of which will shoot out new growths at the base to form small groups of baby palms. A showy show·y adj. show·i·er, show·i·est 1. Making an imposing or aesthetically pleasing display; striking: showy flowers. 2. palm that can reach 15 to 20 feet. $25 to $30 for 5-gallon, $70 to $80 for 15-gallon. Windmill fan palm (Trachycarpus fortunei Trachycarpus fortunei, commonly known as Chusan Palm, Windmill Palm or Chinese Windmill Palm is a palm native to central and eastern China, where it is one of the hardiest palm species in the world. ): Can reach 10 to 15 feet. The trunk appears to be covered with fuzzy hair and is thicker on top. $25 to $30 for 5-gallon, $70 to $80 for 15-gallon. Mexican Blue palm (Brahea armata): A slow-growing palm with leaves that have a blue-gray cast. Grows to 40 feet. $150 for 15-gallon. Pindo palm (Butia capitata): Grows to 10 to 20 feet. The tree has a stiffer look to it and feathery feath·er·y adj. 1. Covered with or consisting of feathers. 2. Resembling or suggestive of a feather, as in form or lightness. feath leaves. Bears fruit in the summer. $70 to $80 for 15-gallon. Looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. a palm to grow indoors? Here are some varieties: Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana): An elegant Victorian-style plant with dark green fronds. Can reach 15 to 20 feet. Can take low light. $65 for 8-inch pot to $650 for 20-gallon size. Lady palm (Rhapis excelsa): Another elegant-looking palm. This one grows slowly. Has a lot of bamboo canes with five- or six-fingered fronds. $100 to $120 for 10-inch pot to $450 for a 16-inch. Fishtail palm (Caryota mitis): The leaves have a ragged edge like a goldfish tail. It grows faster than the above two palms and can reach a height of 20 to 25 feet. Needs indirect light. $90 for 5-gallon to $350 for 15-gallon. Sources: Sperling Nursery in Calabasas; Boething Treeland Farms in Woodland Hills; Baron Bros BROS Brothers BROS Benefits and Retirement Operations Section (King County, Washington) BROS Barnes and Richmond Operatic Society (London, UK) . Nursery Inc. in Camarillo; and ``Betrock's Guide to Landscape Palms'' by Alan W. Meerow. CAPTION(S): 17 Photos, Box Photo: (1) no caption (Dwarf date palm) (2) no cap tion (Canary Island date palm) (3) no caption (Senegal date palm) (4) no caption (California fan palm) (5) no caption (Mexican fan palm) (6) no caption (Mediterranean fan palm) (7) no caption (Windmill fan palm) (8) no caption (Pindo palm) (9) no caption (Lady palm) (10) no caption (Fishtail palm) (11) Jim Garland and son Max, 3, enjoy the curved palm over the swimming pool in their Encino back yard. Tina Gerson/Daily News (12) Arnold Newman's Sherman Oaks home is surrounded by 120 palm trees. The rain-forest advocate also has a stream running through his living room. (13) Of the world's more than 2,600 palm varieties, about 300 thrive locally. (14) Palms, with a staghorn fern in the background, thrive in a Valley yard. (15--Cover--color) Palm-istry This tree grows -- and grows and grows -- in L.A. David Sprague/Daily News (16) A sago palm at Treeland in Woodland Hills. (17) Tor Macinnis, retail sales manager of Treeland in Woodland Hills, examines some King Palms. Hans Gutknecht/Daily News Box: Plants' prices branch out based on their size, rarity (see text) |
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