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Actually the humidity is surprisingly high on the Gulf Coast of Texas, considering they get much lower rain totals than the southeastern US coast.If there's any difference in humidity, Brownsville's might be like 5-10% lower humidity, but with temperatures that are 4-6 F (2-3 C) higher, meaning the heat index should still be higher. I remember seeing Houston's humidity was impressive, higher than on the Carolina coast, though drier rain, and Corpus Christi's humidity nearly as bad, equal or higher than the Carolina coast again, despite Corpus Christi being nearly semi-arid.
Annually, the rain totals in Houston are about the same as much of the Carolina coast.
Still no coconut palms in Brownsville, so proof enough for me to choose Miami over Brownsville.
Looking at averages and record lows for the winter, Brownsville is more similar to Tampa than Miami. Maybe that's why there are no coconut palms despite having the same latitude.
Looking at averages and record lows for the winter, Brownsville is more similar to Tampa than Miami. Maybe that's why there are no coconut palms despite having the same latitude.
Of course Miami is significantly warmer in the winter, but Brownsville does have a few coconut palms. Royal palms are pretty common. Brownsville is zone 10a with an occasional deep freeze (hasn't occurred since 1989) while Miami is borderline zone 11a. The sad thing is that many of the coconuts in Texas are growing on abandoned lots and rundown motels - a testament to their hardiness.
What's interesting about the southern half of Florida and Deep South Texas is that the deep freezes will actually damage the native vegetation - something not often seen in other parts of the world.
Of course Miami is significantly warmer in the winter, but Brownsville does have a few coconut palms. Royal palms are pretty common. Brownsville is zone 10a with an occasional deep freeze (hasn't occurred since 1989) while Miami is borderline zone 11a. The sad thing is that many of the coconuts in Texas are growing on abandoned lots and rundown motels - a testament to their hardiness.
What's interesting about the southern half of Florida and Deep South Texas is that the deep freezes will actually damage the native vegetation - something not often seen in other parts of the world.
I would think if they could grow there you would see many of them in tourist beach places like the southern end of South Padre Island. Why wouldn't the locals or the town plant loads of them for tourism brochures? It would go a long way because people see that on tv or in magazines, and immediately think tropical and warm in winter. Why on earth do you think Florida has so many growing around.
I think they are afraid to plant them cause they know how unstable the winter there is just like the rest of the South.
How come the Texas coast does not have torquoise waters like parts of South Florida have?
Because unchecked human interference along the Mississippi caused a change in how the river empties, such that the sediment is able to drift along the Gulf to the Texas coast. However, such sedimentary problems can be solved with used of advance technology; areas of China that have beaches with murky water have used this technology, turning their water blue.
I would think if they could grow there you would see many of them in tourist beach places like the southern end of South Padre Island. Why wouldn't the locals or the town plant loads of them for tourism brochures? It would go a long way because people see that on tv or in magazines, and immediately think tropical and warm in winter. Why on earth do you think Florida has so many growing around.
I think they are afraid to plant them cause they know how unstable the winter there is just like the rest of the South.
You could say the same for all the Ficus trees, the Royal Poincianas, even the royal palms. Unlike the others, coconuts are hardly available. A few nurseries carry sprouts and/or young palms but none sell large palms because they aren't field grown here like Washingtonia, queen palms, royal palms etc. There also wouldn't be a large market for them because they are basically limited to the southeastern part of Cameron county. South Texas does not have the easy access to coconuts like central Florida does (or the high rainfall). They are plentiful in many parts of the central Florida coast, but when the next 1989 repeat arrives, they will all be gone too. Many people are not aware of cold hardiness enough to be afraid to plant something - for example, the McDonalds on SPI has a few bottle palms growing which might just be more tender than coconuts.
It's been my experience that lay people cannot tell the difference between a queen palm and a coconut palm. Much much cheaper to get some instant landscaping (which means Washingtonia, queens, royals, etc.) than wager on some coconuts (and yes, they might freeze).
I don't understand why you say something does not grow here or there because its not common in landscaping. Does not discredit the fact that the ones that exist continue to do so (some of them live on abandoned lots sadly and still manage to look decent).
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