I wonder....

[joninaz]

Palms are better known symbols of L.A. and likewise were planted by developers. There's even a neighborhood called "Palms" and many streets all over SoCal have rows of 8-story tall versions. Such is life in a global ecology.

VP - we've got eucalyptus here, just not in groves. San Diego has a unique topography full of small, protected canyons that weave between many neighborhoods. I'm not sure what other cities have the same layout. At the same time, some of these have been the tinder in some of the recent fires. But overall, they are nice. We've got great trees in older areas. Trees take time. My hood is 40 years old and was considered the far edge of town at the time. Fantastic trees take decades, if not 100+ years to grow.
Eucalyptus grow fast, but still need long term attention.

In any case, we've got great tree neighborhoods along Central /Encanto/Camelback/Arcadia, older parts of Scottsdale, Tempe, etc. Even the older farm areas of Mesa, Chandler, etc, have great trees where they've preserved them. I'd guess the same for far North and the West side older hoods.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by pstratt

I don't even notice them anymore and I have 2 large ones in my front yard. I thought there was one native species in AZ, they were found on the side of a mountain or cliff or some sort of thing. Anyone remember the exact story or location?

Kofa Mountains near Yuma. They are believed to have been transplanted as seeds in bird droppings and are related to the California fans like around Palm Springs. Some say they have evolved to a distinct species, others disagree. Whatever, they are the only naturally occurring palms in AZ.

[pstratt]

Thanks Ponderosa. The bird dropping scenario seems likely.

[aj661]

Originally Posted by londonbarcelona

That was funny. *smile*

I raised this question because my daughter LOVES the palm trees here. Many people I know prefer the Palm tree look to the brown desert look and I have to laugh, because palms are not even indigenous (sic?) to the area. I am one of those people who loves palms too. I love the way they make everything look so elegant. And I love the way Phoenix markets itself -- so many golf course pictures and home/planned community brochures all have tons of palms in the pictures. It's just so silly.

Are palms representive of Phoenix, should they be?

Really??? This queen palm is free to a good home if anyone wants to try to transplant it. It's over 20 feet tall and the 'boss' has "requested" that I make it go away. I am NOT looking forward to taking it down! (This was a night shot I lightened so you can see the tree better).

[OctoberMoon]

I was going to mention Los Angeles. They aren't native here, either, yet they are a huge symbol of the city. I don't think there's anything wrong with the fact they are pictured as part of both Phoenix and L.A., yet are not native to either city. I love the look myself.

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by OctoberMoon

I was going to mention Los Angeles. They aren't native here, either, yet they are a huge symbol of the city. I don't think there's anything wrong with the fact they are pictured as part of both Phoenix and L.A., yet are not native to either city. I love the look myself.

Me too, I love the look of palm trees. Unfortunately I've heard a lot of people talk about "keeping the desert look 100% natural." You know, no grass, no palms, no flowers. I like the green too.

[jcs1956]

whats a nice shade tree,that grows fast.

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by jcs1956

whats a nice shade tree,that grows fast.

Acacia tree. It's like the weeping willow of the west.

[arizborn]

Mesquite's grow fast. Go thornless.