Canary
Island Date PalmCanary
Island Date PalmLarge, evergreen street tree with a thick trunk and green, elongated fronds. The tree grows very slowly to 60 feet tall. Crown can reach 20 to 30 feet, but more likely 12 feet.
Damaged at 20F.
Moderate to ample, although can withstand considerable drought, especially in the cool season.
Part to full sun.
Tolerant. Prefers rich moist soil for fastest growth, but also tolerates periods when the soil is dry.
Periodic pruning to remove old fronds, which can be costly with larger specimens.
Don't do well in lawns. Pruning is dangerous and costly. Thatch is a fire hazard. Need mail and female plants to produce fruit. Takes entire season for foliage to recover from hard frost. Leaves have dangerous sharp-spiked leaflets at the base and split in the wind. Can suffer from mineral deficiencies making the leaves yellow. Subject to palm heart rot.
Spring bloom; males produce spathes, bracts or leaves surrounding flower clusters and females produce broom-like structures that hold the developing edible dates.
Dates are most pit and not worth the trouble except to the birds. First appear orange and then turn brown in fall before they drop.
Best in large areas, such as a park or wide street, or in commercial or public landscapes. Young trees make good container plants. Clean tree for pool area except for female trees with ripening fruit.
From the Canary Islands. A member of the Arecaceae (Palmae) family.
Subtropical, Mediterranean, Pool Area.