Palm Trees In Seattle. Yay or Nay? (live in, garden)

[green_mariner]

Not a good idea. It takes away from the ambiance that is Seattle, and the Pacific Northwest. It might look nice as sort of an avant-garde thing, but it isn't Seattle.

[Vinylly]

Originally Posted by dopeboy206

Anyone has pics? How do Seattlites feel about the growing numbers of palm trees as of late. I've lived in this city for 25 years and I noticed in the last 10-15 years there is starting to be more and more of them growing. I actually like it but some of my friends thinks it doesn't represent Seattle. How do you guys feel?

Here is a site with pics of Palm trees in Seattle.

Palm Trees in Seattle 47.6 N Latitude, 122.3 W Longitude Photo Gallery by Alain Lucier at pbase.com

If palm trees can survive the winter's in Seattle, why not? I've got one in my back yard, so far, so good, it's still alive.:rol leyes:

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by Vinylly

If palm trees can survive the winter's in Seattle, why not? I've got one in my back yard, so far, so good, it's still alive.:rol leyes:

Winters in Seattle are NOT the coldest you can get for the Seattle. This is especially true considering Seattle is the northernmost large city in the USA. I'll give you that.

[JesseJB]

We should get rid of all the Japanese maples, too. They don't belong here, you know.

[MaikeerinWA]

And all those beloved tulips in Skagit County and in many yards throughout Western WA? Gotta go - totally non-native plant.

[hamellr]

Originally Posted by shoegal111

Nay I say. If Mother Nature wanted palm trees in Seattle they would be there already without humans needing to bring them to the city.

They're not native to CA or HI either.

[evergraystate]

Originally Posted by hamellr

They're not native to CA or HI either.

California has a bigger Eucaliptus problem and they're doing something about it.

[brady miller]

Originally Posted by Jimrob1

I have mixed feelings about them in the Northwest. I know we have more and more of them each year here in Portland. I was surprised when visiting Seattle I was seeing them around also. I think they look nice, they certainly are attractive. I do feel though that palm trees just represent the sunbelt in so many respects. I associate them with warm sunny climates. They somewhat look out of place amongst all the trees native to the Northwest. Sort of like making a place be something it isn't in some respects. Buy hey, whatever people want to do. If planting palm trees in the northwest makes them happy then go for it.

I know, but palm trees in a state with snow and skiing at such a high latitude, don't mix too well. I thought WA was one of the cold northern states. All the other such states don't have palms. Not even COASTAL New England. Heck, the water in the N.west isn't even warm enough for hurricanes. If it can grow them trees, how can't it grow bald cypress or magnolias, which can grow in northern areas naturally?

[Ira500]

Originally Posted by brady miller

I know, but palm trees in a state with snow and skiing at such a high latitude, don't mix too well. I thought WA was one of the cold northern states. All the other such states don't have palms. Not even COASTAL New England. Heck, the water in the N.west isn't even warm enough for hurricanes. If it can grow them trees, how can't it grow bald cypress or magnolias, which can grow in northern areas naturally?

Magnolias do grow around here, and grow well. The Seattle area is warmer than coastal New England, and certain varieties of palm grow well. I think they look cool. We're north, but we're not that cold. Palms don't grow in the colder parts of the state. Besides, palms aren't invasive the way Himalayan Blackberry or English ivy is. They don't take over.

[Randolf Kendall]

hamellr: "They're not native to CA or HI either."

Actually, palm trees are native to both states - each state having one native species.

California fan palm growing in its native habitat: ▼



Native Hawaiian fan palm in Hawaiian yard: ▼