Christmas Palm
ADONIDIA MERRILLII: CHRISTMAS PALM
Description
The Christmas palm, also known as the Manila palm, plays an important role in tropical landscapes because few other palm species are so well suited for small sites. This species is native to the Philippines but has been cultivated throughout the world’s tropics for many centuries. It grows fairly quickly to a height of about 6 feet, but very slowly thereafter, retaining its proportions for a long time. Eventually, Christmas palms can reach heights of up to 20, or even 25, feet, with trunks 5 to 6 inches thick and a canopy spread of about 5 to 8 feet. Although single stemmed, this species is often
planted as multiples of 2 to 4 plants in a clump, which typically grow out from each other with gracefully curving trunks. Leaves are pinnately compound (feather-like) and about 4 to 5 feet long with strongly arching form, and leaflets are held in a V-shape along the rachis. The flower stalks are formed beneath the prominent crownshaft. Clusters of bright red fruits, each about 1.5 inches long, ripen in late fall to winter, giving this palm
its common name of Christmas palm.
Features
Christmas palms are considered to be cold hardy down to about 30°F or USDA zone 10b. They are fairly drought tolerant once established and are moderately tolerant of salt spray on their foliage. This species is very well adapted to Florida's nutrient-poor soils and seldom displays any nutritional deficiencies. Occasionally, boron (B) deficiency symptoms are observed. Symptoms of B deficiency in Christmas palm include small, malformed new leaves, multiple unopened spear leaves, and sideways growth. For more information about B deficiency in palms see Boron Deficiency in Palms. When Christmas palms are planted as multiples, it is not unusual for one of the plants to be shorter than the others, exhibit a micronutrient deficiency, or even die due to slightly deeper planting depth or competition among the individual plants constituting the clump. Christmas palms require little maintenance once established. These palms are self-cleaning, meaning that once an old leaf has died, it will drop off cleanly by itself. However, unless the attractive red fruits are desired, it may be advisable to cut off the flower stalks before they develop fruits, which will eventually fall to the ground and create a mess beneath the palm.
Florida’s Premiere Tree Installer, The Tree Planters located in Lakeland, is your #1 source for large, rare, and exotic palms and trees. At The Tree Planters, we have installed and transplanted thousands of large trees of every variety all over Florida for over 50 years. Every tree we sell, we plant. Every tree we plant, we guarantee for One Full Year.
Delivery is included in the price of your tree. We proudly serve the entire state of Florida. (All other delivery fees will be quoted at time of purchase), and a One-Year Guarantee on every tree planted by The Tree Planters.