Various types of palm trees Arizona thrive in the region, thanks to the hot and dry climate. You may want to plant one in your home or business, but it may seem tasking to decide on one, given the several available options.
Most palm trees look similar, and you cannot identify all the types of palm trees Arizona unless you have an identification guide.
This complete guide provides all the information you need to know about the types of palm trees you can find in the state.
Types of Palm Trees in Arizona (Features of Common Palm Trees Arizona)
In case you are wondering how many types of palm trees are there, there are more than 2600 species worldwide. Although Arizona has hundreds of them, you can only find a few common ones growing in the wild, on plantations and on private properties.
Tree type | Scientific Name | Origin | Growing Zone | Height | Leaf Shape |
Windmill Palm | Trachycarpus fortunei | Southeastern Asia | 8-11 | 39-66 ft | Palmate |
Canary Island Date | Phoenix canariensis | Canary Islands | 9-11 | 30-70 ft | Pinnate |
Pindo Palm | Butia capitata | Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina | 9-11 | 35 ft | Pinnate |
Kentia Palm | Howea forsteriana | Australia | 9-11 | 33 ft | Pinnate |
Pygmy Date | Phoenix roebelenii | Southeast Asia | 10-11 | 6-25 ft | Pinnate |
Areca Palm | Dypsis lutescens | Madagascar | 10-11 | 12-30 ft | Pinnate |
Sago Palm | Cycas revoluta | South Japan | 8-10 | 15 ft | Pinnate |
Bismarck | Bismarckia nobilis | Madagascar | 9-11 | 40-60 ft | Palmate |
The Canary Island Date Palm tree has a growth rate about 2 feet per year and can grow as tall as a hundred feet in a span of up to 300 years.
How To Identify the Pygmy Date Palm
The Dwarf/Pygmy Date palm7 can be identified by it’s fronds and spiky trunk.
- It can be used as an indoor or outdoor plant
- It is relatively short, reaching 5-6 feet in planters
- It has a spiky trunk and long, intricate leaves
What Is the Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus Fortunei)?
The Windmill Palm5 can be identified by it’s tapering trunk.
- It is an evergreen tree that withstands extreme climates
- It has palmate, circular leave
- The female and male trees grow separately
- The trunk is 8-10 inches wide and is slimmer at the base
How To Identify the Canary Island Date Palm
The Canary Island date palm8 can grow very tall.
- It grows tall, occasionally reaching 130 ft
- It produces numerous tiny yellow dates at the top when mature
- The bottom takes a pineapple shape when trimmed
Features of the Pindo Palm
The Pindo/Jelly Palm4features lovely silver green fronds.
- It is a small to medium-sized tree
- It has silver-green curving fronds
- It has reddish-yellow flowers that bloom during summer
- The Pindo fruit manufactures jelly
What Is the Sago Palm Tree?
The Cycad Sago9 palm tree is a slow-growing tree, but it’s not great to have with pets or small children.
- It grows fairly low, especially when planted in a container.
- The trunk doesn’t branch out when it grows.
- It has a slow development rate, gaining a few inches yearly and taking up to 50 years to grow to 10 feet
- It is toxic to people and pets10 when ingested
What Is the Bismarck Palm?
The Bismarck Palm11 tree needs a lot of room to grow.
- It has massive palmate silver-green leaves
- The male and female inflorescences grow on separate trees
- It is a giant tree that requires a lot of room to grow and can easily be overpowering in small spaces.
Identifying the Areca Palm in Arizona
The Areca Catechu3 makes an excellent indoor variety.
- It has a smooth, long, golden trunk
- It produces bitter, tangy fruits consumed with tobacco12 in some regions
- It makes an excellent indoor plant serving as a humidifier
Identifying the Kentia Palm
The Kentia Palm13 tree is another great indoor palm to grow.
- It is often used as an indoor plant
- It has a relatively slow growth rate but eventually reaches 20 ft in the wild
- The World Conservation Union regards it as vulnerable
What Is the Mule Palm Arizona?
The Mule palm is a hybrid of the Queen and Pindo palms, and the name mule rightfully refers to the sterile fruits it produces. It is a single-trunk palm that grows to a medium height of 10-15 feet and closely resembles its parent breeds.
What Are the Common Types of Small Palm Trees in Arizona?
Arizona’s most popular small palm trees include the Pygmy date, Pindo and Sago palms. The Sago is an excellent indoor plant that you can place in a pot as room décor, but be careful since it is toxic to pets.
On the other hand, the Pygmy and Pindo are larger but grow short, perfect for landscaping and creating low-lying privacy hedges. They feature a wide trunk and still offer a tropical feel despite the height.
What Palm Trees Are Native to Arizona? Native vs. Invasive Types of Palm Trees Arizona
Many believe that Arizona hosts some native palm trees, given its high population and even some scientific names, including the term “Phoenix.” Shockingly, nearly all such plants in the state are non-native, flourishing after migration from other regions.2
The California fan (Washingtonia filifera)14 is the only species known to grow naturally in the area, present in the wild in the Kofa Wildlife Refuge or the Palm Canyon.
All the other trees in Arizona are originally from tropical areas like Florida, California, India, China, Madagascar, and Mexico, among others.
How Fast Do Palm Trees Grow in Arizona? Growth Rate of Various Types of Palm Trees Arizona
The growth rate is one of the first considerations when choosing the perfect type of palm tree Arizona to plant. As with other trees, the growth rate of various palms differs depending on the species and whether requirements like fertilizer and irrigation are met.6
Some of the fastest growing palms in Arizona are the Queen, King, Foxtail and Mexican fan, as long as you provide all their needs. The King, Queen, and Foxtail can develop exponentially at two feet yearly, while the Mexican fan reaches four feet.
Most of these fast-growing trees often grow impressively tall, making them perfect for landscaping, but some popular species, like the Mediterranean fan, grow slowly at 6 inches annually.
Types of Palm Trees Phoenix: Phoenix Types of Palm Trees Arizona
Several palm trees feature the term Phoenix in their name, and the following are some common ones.
- Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera)15 – is the only one that produces tasty edible fruits from the other 12 date palms
- Canary Island Date (Phoenix canariensis) – also called the pineapple palm that looks like the Date palm but doesn’t produce edible fruits
- Pygmy Date (Phoenix roebellenii) – is a miniature version of other date palms that only reaches 10 ft when mature, perfect when you have less room for planting
- Silver Date (Phoenix sylvestras) – also known as the Indian date, can tolerate extreme heat and cold,16 making it quite low maintenance
- Senegal Date (Phoenix reclinata)- has multiple trunks and can grow massive, which is ideal when you have a lot of space to plant
What Is the Cost of Palm Trees in Arizona?
Generally, palm tree costs around the country vary based on species, size, or any other special feature. Finding one in Arizona can cost you $100- $200 unless you want a unique exotic species, which rates at more than $1,000.1
Besides the initial cost, remember there are maintenance costs to keep it healthy and avoid pests and diseases. Palm trees need regular trimming, especially when growing them, for aesthetic reasons where they must always look fantastic.
Where To Buy Palm Trees in Arizona at the Best Price
Various tree farms, landscaping companies, and nurseries offer healthy and high-quality palm trees all over Arizona. You can also buy one online from a trusted site, and they will deliver it to your home.
Retailers sell various trees at different prices depending on their species and quality, and you can always find one within your budget.
How To Care for Palm Trees in Arizona: Care and Maintenance of Palm Trees
One of the palm tree’s impressive features is its low maintenance, and there are three main ways to ensure that yours stays healthy all year round as you do your part to reduce carbon footprint through tree planting.
- Watering
Palms enjoy well-irrigated soils; if starved of water, they will show stunted growth, leaf discoloration, and death in extreme cases. Therefore, it is best to water them a few times a week but don’t overdo it, as it may cause rotting.
- Fertilizing
All trees have nutritional requirements to help them grow faster and healthier, and the best way to provide this for your palm is by applying supplements. The fertilizers’ minerals aid nutrient absorption, stimulate growth, and generally keep the plant stress-free.
- Tidying (Trimming your Palm Tree)
Washing off the plants can keep pests at bay and offer humidity, and you can use water or rubbing alcohol. It also helps to frequently and carefully trim the overgrown fronds (you can hire a professional for this if you don’t want to ruin your palm).
Although maintaining palm trees can be labor-intensive, considering your carbon footprint will help you see that it is worthwhile. Finding the best carbon credit providers who can assist you with your inquiries about tree planting offset might be a great first step you can take in attaining your goals if you’re looking for ways to boost your positive contribution to the environment.
How Did Palm Trees Get to Arizona? A Brief History
You may believe that palm trees are native to Arizona, given their population and how well the climate sustains them compared to the cold, which causes damage. However, the only palm tree native to the region is the California fan.
The rest are all results of migration from Africa, Mexico, Asia, the Middle East, and other regions. Records state that they were first planted in the state by Roy Franklin in 1920, who wanted to produce black date palms.
Other varieties were planted later by immigrants from the tropical regions, and the population has gradually grown to the thousands you see today.
Arizona Palm Trees
The dry weather in Arizona can sustain the palm tree, and you can spot several of them in the wild, on streets and around properties.
The best part about palm species is that they are versatile and adaptive to different environments, including the Arizona desert.
Phoenix Palm Indoor: Best Indoor Palm Trees?
The Phoenix palms are top-rated by architects and designers thanks to their aesthetic effect whenever included in a room. They effortlessly add character and drama and lift the face of otherwise plain spaces. There are various types of indoor palm trees.
The Pygmy date (Phoenix roebellenii) is the best choice for décor due to its perfect structure and less demanding nature. The other phoenix palms have similar characteristics; you can never go wrong using them as indoor plants.
How Can You Find Free Palm Tree Removal?
Companies normally charge to cut down trees from private properties, but you can get free services in exceptional instances. If you grow highly-sort after species, you can get paid for the tree, which is a win-win for both parties.
The company can pay if the tree is valuable, and they will get more money from it. To be certain whether you can get such a deal, you can take a picture of your tree and send it to the removers to determine whether they can get it cut for free or pay you for it.
How Much Does Palm Tree Removal Cost? Palm Tree Removal Cost Calculator
After storms or other incidents that harm trees near residences or endanger power lines, tree removal is necessary. If you’re curious to know how much it will cost you to remove a tree, use a tree removal cost calculator to get an estimate.
The total cost to remove a tree from your property varies based on several factors, and each company has specific rates. The tree’s height and species are the main factors determining the cost but removers also often consider other factors like the trunk size and the tree’s condition.
The tree’s location and its state also matter when getting your quotation. For instance, it will cost you more to remove a tree in a cramped space or near hazards like power lines.
Removing a palm tree will cost you around $250, although low-end jobs rate at $100, while the complex ones can go to highs of 1500.
How Much To Trim Palm Trees: How Much Does It Cost To Trim Palm Trees in Arizona?
Many people are wondering how much to trim palm trees. Even though there are numerous variables that can affect the cost of cutting palm trees, you can still acquire a good estimate. Use a palm tree trimming cost calculator can help you estimate how much to trim palm trees in your area.
The national average cost of trimming a palm tree is $179, but most companies will charge you $75- $945 based on certain factors. The type of the tree, its size and how many leaves need removal typically determine the rate.
While you can do it alone and save money, most owners would rather hire experts to avoid ruining the tree and ensure it will maintain its great shape.
Palm tree trimming prices usually range between $45- $945. The main considerations are the tree species, size, how much work needs to be done, and the number of trees. You may get an idea of the cost to trim these trees using the palm tree trimming cost calculator.
The price increases when dealing with larger trees, when there are excessive fronds to work with or when the task is too complex. You can also get a great deal when you have more trees that need trimming.
Frequently Asked Questions About Types of Palm Trees Arizona
How Many Types of Palm Trees Are There in the US?
There are more than 2600 palm tree varieties worldwide, randomly distributed all over the continents. While some thrive under tropical climates, specifically near sunny beaches, other species prefer deserts and cold regions but there are only 14 palm tree species are native to the US, one from the West and the rest distributed in the South and Southeastern parts.
What State Has the Most Palm Trees in the US?
Out of all the tropical and temperate regions in America, Florida has one of the highest palm tree populations, thanks to the conducive climate. Twelve native palm species call the state home, explaining why they freely grow in the wild, covering extensive areas. Besides, Naples city, Florida, has the highest number of palm trees in the country, approximately more than 15,000.
What Are the Best Palm Trees for Arizona Homes? (Best Indoor and Outdoor Types of Palm Trees Arizona)
The best palm hedges for massive houses should be the towering species like the Mediterranean fan or the shorter, bushy types like pygmy dates. On the other hand, the Canary Island date, King and Queen varieties look fantastic when going for a tropical paradise look for your home.
How Long Does It Take for a Palm Tree To Grow Coconuts After Planting It at Home?
Normally, coconut trees reach full maturity and produce numerous fruits at 15-20 years, although you can spot the first coconuts at 6-10 years, but this only applies to outdoor palms, not those in planters. Confining the tree to a small space is limiting, and it may stay alive for only 5-6 years. If you are a fan of eating local and want to minimize transportation emissions, you may have to wait a while before enjoying your palm tree’s coconuts.
How Long Does It Take for a Palm Tree To Grow From a Seed if Considering Planting?
If you want to plant a coconut tree seed at home and enjoy the tasty fruits, you will have to wait for up to 6 years before they start growing. Still, you may have to pause for another ten years before mass production. Also, remember to plant the seed outdoors for the roots to grow and obtain the necessary nutrients; otherwise, your palm will not live past six years in the tiny container.
References
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