Our clients understand that at The Tree Planters, we are a trusted resource for a wide-range of tree varieties and that we can advise them on the best choices that will fit their landscaping needs and budgets. We are always available to answer your questions.

Below Joel Mizell, the owner and founder of The Tree Planters, shares with you his thoughts on the Bismarck, Sylvester, Senegal Date, and the Canary Island Date Palms. Each one of these stunning examples of an exotic palms are reccommended for the Florida area.

THE CANARY ISLAND DATE PALM

Note From Joel:

I have handled thousands of Canary Island Date Palms throughout my lifetime and many were extremely large. I believe The Tree Planters transplanted the tallest of this species of palm in Florida, it had an impressive 50-foot trunk height!

At The Tree Planters, we purchase the largest of these palms from homeowners and they are anywhere from 15 to 80 years old. It is rumored that the originals of this palm were brought to Florida from the Canary Islands by pirates!

The Canary Island Date Palm grows at a normal rate of 6″ a year, under certain ideal consitions it can grow as fast as 12″ a year. Let me offer a few words of caution before you make the decision to add this exotic palm to you landscape. The Canary Island Date Palm has dangerous thorns and should be handled with care. If you purchase a short palm it can be a hazard to children and pets.

The CanaryIsland Date Palm does much better in arid climates and can easily be overwatered. They do especially well when planted on high ground so the water will run off them easily. I’ve had several that died because of overwatering by homeowners.

The Canary Island Date Palm stands alone as the King of Palms.

THE SENEGAL DATE PALM

Note From Joel:

The Senegal Date Palm is one of my favorites of the exotic palms. Sometimes you will here them referred to as a Reclinata Palm. There are seeral types of Reclinatas and each one is different than the next, with no two looking alike, even when germinated from the same mother tree.

Without special attention the trunks of this palm will decide on their own which way they will grow. However, when they are encouraged to angle away from each other properly, often by selectively removing unnecessary trunks, these trees can be spectacular. Keep in mind that unless you have a Reclinata that is cross pollinated with another Phoenix family of palm, it will take some work to keep it under control. These palms tend to self propagate, creating a miniature jungle of new growth at the bottom of the tree. We are always on the lookout for specimen Reclinatas that have a good cross pollination factor.

These are usually big, hard to handle, clumsy when planting and shouild be handled by professionals such as our crew at The Tree Planters.

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.