No palm trees in Anthem (Sun City: house, neighborhood, move)

[stevek64]

Originally Posted by JGMotorsport64

Ding ding ding!

We have a plant that while natural to the Sonoran Desert, although not at this specific location, would desecrate the natural desert, yet importing water and non-native grasses for the purpose of golfing comports with the natural surroundings we enjoy?

Since a lot of the plants in Anthem are imported, that is they aren't Palo Verdes directly from the location of Anthem, what is the distinction between importing one natural plant over another? Shouldn't that distinction be greater between imported non-native plants and imported however native plants?

Exactly.

Perhaps we can call it the free variable labeling/hypocritical world of plant selection/aesthetics according to, by and for the chosen few?

[johnp292]

Originally Posted by stevek64

Well, I suppose in the end it's just a personal preference what's "disrespectful" and an HOA board composed of a few people can make some wide sweeping decisions for thousands which I'm guessing happened here. Many palms are low water in use so in that regard they are easy on the environment. Aesthetics is a very personal thing of course and in my view I think many types of palms fit in nicely in a low desert environment but to each their own.

What I find interesting is Anthem has lots of grass/a golf course in the community:

Anthem Golf & Country Club | Anthem AZ

And I believe they have man made lakes in the Anthem community.

I'm not picking on these things per se but I suppose we could have a serious talk about being "disrespectful to the natural desert environment" with such things in a community so I'm not sure what the decisions were based on in the end to ban palm trees(if this is the case) yet allow grass, lakes, and golf courses.

You're making an assumption that the approved list is based on adherence to the natural desert environment. I don't know if that's the case or if it's more about just having a list that imposes standards on what is and is not permitted. In other words, not much different from the restrictions on what colors the houses can be painted, etc. I suspect it's the latter.

And, yes, palm trees are not allowed.

[stevek64]

Originally Posted by johnp292

You're making an assumption that the approved list is based on adherence to the natural desert environment. I don't know if that's the case or if it's more about just having a list that imposes standards on what is and is not permitted. In other words, not much different from the restrictions on what colors the houses can be painted, etc. I suspect it's the latter.

Yep, I agree. My post in reference to this was to sloguy1496 who thought it might be related to such a thing. And I did mention I wasn't sure either the reason why palms were banned in the end.

I think they are very strict in Anthem overall though in regards to plant selection. I think I recall someone telling me who I know that lives there they can't have citrus trees either but not 100% sure.

[johnp292]

Yep, no Citrus trees either.

But I was talking about this thread with my wife today, and she pointed out that the "Anthem A Del Webb Community" signs at Anthem Way have what appears to be small palms around them. And as we were coming home tonight, she's right.

I'm assuming these are not really palms, they are probably no taller than 5 or 6 feet high, but they sure look like palms to me!

[Bert_from_back_East]

If I didn't have palm trees on my property in Arizona, I probably would have lost my mind. What's the point of living someplace where high temperatures hover between 100 and 110 degrees for five months if you can't at least have palm trees to show for it? Haha!

[stevek64]

Originally Posted by johnp292

Yep, no Citrus trees either.

But I was talking about this thread with my wife today, and she pointed out that the "Anthem A Del Webb Community" signs at Anthem Way have what appears to be small palms around them. And as we were coming home tonight, she's right.

I'm assuming these are not really palms, they are probably no taller than 5 or 6 feet high, but they sure look like palms to me!

hmmm, or impostor palms perhaps? They can be sneaky.

Could be a sago "palm" which looks palmish but is actually a Cycad.

Originally Posted by Bert_from_back_East

If I didn't have palm trees on my property in Arizona, I probably would have lost my mind. What's the point of living someplace where high temperatures hover between 100 and 110 degrees for five months if you can't at least have palm trees to show for it? Haha!

yes, something about palm trees that seem "right" to my reptilian brain in a warm weather or low desert climate.

[Italy04]

That's why I don't live in Anthem.

[johnp292]

Originally Posted by Italy04

That's why I don't live in Anthem.

Because palm trees aren't allowed?

[BIG CATS]

Its generally the same in North Scottsdale, too. Pass under the 101 on Scottsdale Road and BAM, virtually no palm trees anywhere to be found. I can appreciate it, and I actually like the look and feel of the natural desert versus the oasis look that most people long for. Dont get me wrong, I love my palms, too, but I can dig the restrictions that some cities/communties/neighborhoods have taken.

[Messing About]

Thanks for the list, John P. I see it reads all palms prohibited. In touring homes for sale, I'm seeing a lot of pigmy date palms and sago palms in back yards, near pools. Guess folks figure what no one sees, no one knows.