What is the southernmost place in the Southern hemisphere that has a climate that supports palm trees? (warmest, average)
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I am thinking that since almost all locations in the temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere have mild winters, it would be more summer warmth that would limit how far south they can grow. If I were to guess, I'd say somewhere in Tierra Del Fuego would be the southernmost spot but not Ushuaia, as the summers there seem a bit too chilly. Any thoughts?
I am thinking that since almost all locations in the temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere have mild winters, it would be more summer warmth that would limit how far south they can grow. If I were to guess, I'd say somewhere in Tierra Del Fuego would be the southernmost spot but not Ushuaia, as the summers there seem a bit too chilly. Any thoughts?
I think they would need mean temperatures above 10 °C in summer and temperatures never below -15 °C winter. Ushuaia is not that bad, but mean temperatures in January are just 10.3 °C and that's the only month it reaches above 10 °C. Some years may not be good for palms there.
I am thinking that since almost all locations in the temperate latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere have mild winters, it would be more summer warmth that would limit how far south they can grow. If I were to guess, I'd say somewhere in Tierra Del Fuego would be the southernmost spot but not Ushuaia, as the summers there seem a bit too chilly. Any thoughts?
I don't know exactly the minumum temperatures required to support palm trees, but my guess is that anywhere in Tierra del Fuego would not support them, not only Ushuaia.
The monthly average in the warmest month in the north of Tierra del Fuego don't go above 12°C (54°F) or 13°C (55°F), perhaps even less.
I'm thinking of the east coast of Patagonia, perhaps Comodoro Rivadavia at 45°S could support palm trees. Its avg high/low in Jan are 26°C/14°C (79°F/57°F) and in July are 11°C/3°C (52°F/37°F). I guess that would qualify, what do you think?
Or maybe you could grow palm trees with lower temps? What about Puerto Deseado at 48°S?:
Jan 22°C/10°C (72°F/50°F)
July 7°C/1°C (45°F/34°F)
I don't know exactly the minumum temperatures required to support palm trees, but my guess is that anywhere in Tierra del Fuego would not support them, not only Ushuaia.
The monthly average in the warmest month in the north of Tierra del Fuego don't go above 12°C (54°F) or 13°C (55°F), perhaps even less.
I'm thinking of the east coast of Patagonia, perhaps Comodoro Rivadavia at 45°S could support palm trees. Its avg high/low in Jan are 26°C/14°C (79°F/57°F) and in July are 11°C/3°C (52°F/37°F). I guess that would qualify, what do you think?
Or maybe you could grow palm trees with lower temps? What about Puerto Deseado at 48°S?:
Jan 22°C/10°C (72°F/50°F)
July 7°C/1°C (45°F/34°F)
I think Puerto Deseado is a good choice, very similar to Vancouver. I'm not sure about Ushuaia summers, though.
Wellington? I don't think palm trees can grow with the cold summers of Tierra del Fuego.
Palms will grow much further south than Wellington in New Zealand. Even coastal areas in the far south of the south Island can grow a few different species...
The most southerly growing wild palms in the world also grow in New Zealand, Rhopalostylis sapida, the 'Nikau'. The southern most populations of these grow on Pitt in the Chatham Islands at 44° 18'S...
If we say instead that the places in the southern hemisphere need to have a minimum yearly average mean around 10C, then Puerto Deseado (48S) or just north of there could be the southernmost limit for palms. On the west coast of South America, it could be in the vicinity of Puerto Montt (41S) due to the cold humboldt current. Pretty much all of coastal NZ could grow palm trees down to Invercargill (46S) and possibly even including parts of Stewart Island (47S). Thoughts?
If we say instead that the places in the southern hemisphere need to have a minimum yearly average mean around 10C, then Puerto Deseado (48S) or just north of there could be the southernmost limit for palms. On the west coast of South America, it could be in the vicinity of Puerto Montt (41S) due to the cold humboldt current. Pretty much all of coastal NZ could grow palm trees down to Invercargill (46S) and possibly even including parts of Stewart Island (47S). Thoughts?
Palms do indeed grow in Invercargill, mostly Trachycarpus fortunei, but I believe there are even Phoenix canariensis there...
I would say places with a January mean above 2°C and a July mean around 15°C.
In Puerto Deseado, 48°S, they surely can grow various types of palms. Probably trachycarpus fortunei can grow in Puerto Santa Cruz too at 50°S.
I remember seeing pictures of Canary Island palms in Invercargill. If they can grow there, they can grow anywhere along the coast of the South Island. Wonder how something like the Queen Palm would do down there?
Wild palms grow in the East Gippsland region of Victoria at about 38*S.
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