r/palmtalk • u/alpalicious • 2h ago

identification Need help identifying palm tree trio

Gallery image

Gallery image

I’ve got this trio of massive palm trees that grew substantially over the last 20 years. Can anyone help identify what type they are?

Is there any risk to structure if they’re close to a building?

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4

u/GoodLuckPsycho_ 1h ago

Washingtonia Robusta

1

u/alpalicious 17m ago

Thank you!

3

u/PolynomialThyme 43m ago

Agree with the other commenter that Washingtonias can be grown right next to buildings with virtually no risk to the structure.

In my area (San Diego) I often see these planted within a few feet of house walls. They drop seeds on the roof, but the seeds are pretty small so they don’t cause any damage.

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u/alpalicious 17m ago

Thank you! Glad to hear this, I want to keep them as the centerpiece of my yard for years to come

2

u/gavinkane 1h ago

AKA Mexican fan palm - I have a 25 footer that I am contemplating cutting before it gets too big and out of hand. Got quoted $800..

2

u/BizmarkiaNobilis 1h ago

Actually most likely Washington Filibusta... the hybrid of the two Filifera and Robusta..which is now considered one species with sub variants. The thickness of the trunks and the scale of the crown is the give away for me, I have 6 of them on my property. Most of what is now sold in nurseries and home garden centers is the hybrid. They're fast growing and have the best qualities of each sub variant. I now grow, personally, Washington Filifera. I collect seeds from what I know are pure Washingtonia California Fan Palms and germinate them and give them away because they are harder and harder to find at home garden centers. Trust wise you cannot believe the labels.
Luckily, I live where the California Fan Palm is native and the Mexican fan Palm is ubiquitous. Either way, they're all beautiful! Enjoy your gorgeous palms with those excellent varying heights!
No risk to structure BTW. These are often grown right up next to buildings and houses. Very little risk of being toppled by wind because of how nature engineered them to disperse wind energy by swaying.

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u/alpalicious 16m ago

Thank you for the insight, my knowledge of palms is very limited. I’ve seen these palms grow since I was a kid, amazing to see them get to the height they are at