Palm Trees in Louisiana (New Orleans, Metairie: homes, live, eat)

[crayfish]

Are there very many or any palm trees in Louisiana? Also, does Louisiana have the right kind of climate for growing citrus fruits?

[hdwell]

I think the further south one goes in Louisiana, the more one sees more varieties of palms and I believe citrus will grow in yards of homes say south of Alexandria. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think this is the rule. the northern part of the state has a few of the hardier varieties of palms but citrus doesn't survive the winters up there very well without a lot of protection. however with the climate "changing", that may change too. North Louisiana winters aren't cold, but colder than the citrus areas of Fla, Az and Cali. Even southern louisiana has had some killing freezes that wiped out the trees.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

South of N.O. there are orange groves and even an orange festival used to be held annually. Not sure since Katrina. They used to sell orange wine from LA oranges. I had a fig tree in the yard in Metairie, it did well for the 30 yrs that I lived there. Friends had some other fruit trees but I don't remember what. The city used to be full of plam trees but not sure since Katrina. I think the standing water killed most of them.

[Petronilla]

I have three citrus trees in my back yard, and it seems that everywhere I go I see various types of palms.... They are very fashionable here in Southeastern LA, if not indigenous. I also see lots of banana trees... and of course, while driving I see tons of nurseries selling all kinds of palms. I got a banana tree and a sago palm (which I believe is a type of fern, but it appears to be a short palm to me) at the hardware store....

[Drouzin]

Canal Street in NOLA is lined with palms and Plaqumines Parish is famous for it's satsumas!

[Rmaf623]

I see alot of palm trees in Central Louisiana places such as Alexandria and Pineville. Citrus fruits can be grown in the Alexandria area as long as they are protected during the winter. I know someone in Alexandria who grows satsumas, oranges, lemons, and kumquats.

[Eric Graham]

Plaquemines Parrish Louisiana, just south of New Orleans, has many commercial citrus farms. Like the earlier post mentioned, Katrina may have changed this. Years ago, driving to Venice, the smell of oranges in the air was almost overpowering. As for palm trees, there are tons and tons in LA.

[Anole]

My wife is from Port Sulphur, Plaquemines parish. Her father grew tangerines, grapefruit, cumquats, satsumas, Louisiana navels. It was great to go out and pick something off the tree and eat it. The orange festival was held at Fort Jackson. There were numerous fruit stands along the highway--the ones just south of Belle Chasse--the Becnel's comes to mind. There are still lots of groves there, the soil and climate (except for a hard freeze) are good. When we planted our Louisiana navel and lemon tree my wife made sure they came from Plaquemine parish-and yes my tree has lots and lots of oranges on them-waiting for late December to pick them. I am located in Thibodaux.

[WestbankNOLA]

I think the most common trees in the NOLA area (are most recognisable) are Live Oaks and Palms

[luckysnap]

Sable Palms aka Cabbage Palms will grow fine in the NOLA area.