Hi:
Here we have the California Fan Palm that grows so nicely and slowly in our native state.
A great palm tree that requires little water.
California Desert Fan Palm
Washingtonia Filifera
If you close your eyes and imagine a typical Southern California landscape, chances are that you've pictured at least one palm tree, if not several, rising from the ground. But despite the diversity and ubiquity of palms in the Los Angeles area, only one species—Washingtonia filifera, the California fan palm—is native to California. All of L.A.'s other palm species, from the slender Mexican fan palms that line so many L.A. boulevards to the feather-topped Canary Island date palm, have been imported.
Range
Occur naturally in desert oases in isolated areas of the Sonoran and Mojave deserts of southeastern California, southwestern Arizona, and northern Baja California, Mexico, at elevations between 500 and 1,000 feet. Widely cultivated as an ornamental in Southern California.
Habitat
Moist soils along alkaline streams and in mountain canyons.
Description
There are 2,500 species of palms worldwide, with 11 native to North America. The largest of these, and the only palm tree native to western North America, is the California fan palm. It is also known as the desert palm and the California Washingtonia. It should not be confused with the date palm.
The fan palm has a large, gray unbranched trunk with horizontal lines and vertical fissures. The trunk is 2 to 3 feet in diameter and grows 20 to 60 feet high. The fan palm has numerous evergreen leaves, composed of leaf stalks, 3 to 5 feet long, with hooked spines along the edges.
These fan-shaped leaves spread from around the top of the tree while numerous old, dead leaves hang down against the trunk. For this reason it is sometimes also called the petticoat palm. The dead leaves form a protective area that provides habitat and shelter for many creatures, including birds, insects and small rodents.
In the spring, huge clusters of white, 3-lobed, funnel-shaped flowers, about 1/2 inch long, hang down from leaf bases.
The California fan palm does not produce dates, but does fruit elliptical black "berries" about 1/2 inch in diameter. These berries have a very large, brown seed surrounded by a thin, sweet pulp, which native Americans ate fresh or dried. They also ground the seeds into flour. Hooded orioles and coyotes feast on the seeds as well, aiding the palms' proliferation.
Rare groves of the fan palm can be seen in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, near Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park in California, and near Yuma, Arizona.
At Gregory Palm Farms our goal is to produce the very best palms suitable for the Southern California area.
Canary Island Palms on truck for shipment
Canary Island Palms being trimmed
Canary Island Palms being craned to backyard
Workers discussing placement of Canary Island Palms
The Windmill palm makes a great accent which fits well into small areas like courtyards and entries. It is a tough plant and survives in both hot & cold urban landscapes and even thrives in Northern California and Washington climates.
Windmill palm is perfect for containers if care is taken that they are well drained. It is very attractive planted in groves and groupings especially when plants of different heights are staggered in irregular patterns.
Windmill Palm Characteristics
Stem/Trunk: Single stem that is 8-10" in diameter.Trunks are usually covered with a loose mat of coarse gray or brown fiber.
Exposure: Partial shade is best, also cold hardy
Soil: Well drained soil
Water: Adequate moisture makes for rapid growth and best appearance but it is amazingly drought tolerant
Growth Rate: Moderate - 30'-40' height
We are a family owned business, owner Burl Gregory and Kevin Gregory handling sales. From the start, all of our palms have been grown in the rich California dirt for several decades. All of our palms are 100% guaranteed, we stand behind our product in any case. We are fourth generation farmers and know how to raise the best product in the palm tree market.
If you are planning to install multiple palm trees, call us today for a FREE consultation.
One of our Gregory Palm Farms family members will come to your home or office or project site and help with the complete overall design and recommend the best trees for your installation.
Call (714) 814-8525 to schedule an appointment today!
You can also visit our website for a complete catalog of palm trees along with pictures and descriptions http://gregorypalmfarms.com
If you live or are planning to visit the Pauma Valley area, give us a call and stop by our farm to take a tour and talk to us about our palm trees. (714) 814-8525 0r (760) 975-4605
During the past month or two, Gregory Palm Farms has been very busy installing palm trees all over Southern and Northern California.
Gregory Palm Farms is also in the midst of some large palm trees to several residential homes in the Yorba Linda and Anaheim Hills area.
and installing these large specimen trees. Gregory has not only the expertise, but all the necessary equipment to handle jobs from small residential projects, to large commercial and industrial projects. Trucks, cranes, loaders and lifts are all part of the Gregory Palm Farms equipment to make sure the job is done properly and professionally.
A few weeks ago we posted a blog article and pictures of a job that Gregory Palm Farms was selected as the contractor of choice for a landscape remodel job at The Terrace Apartments in Orange, CA. This large apartment complex is near the famous Block at Orange shopping mall.
If you are planning to install multiple palm trees, call us today for a FREE consultation. One of our family members will come to your home or project site and help with the complete overall design and recommend the best trees for your installation. Call (714) 814-8525 /760)975-4605 to schedule an appointment today!
