Rhode Island Palm Tree Help And Questions (RI)

[Palm Guru]

Welcome, wonderful people of Rhode Island, we are delighted you have joined this discussion about topics related to palm trees and plants. Whether you have a question about gardening, landscaping, planting, purchasing or just about anything, this forum will be open for all. We also have an Interior Design and Exterior Design section which has great design ideas or you can take a Virtual Tour of the Nursery, either way we are excited you are here!

Please be friendly and courteous and keep helping our planet with being green-minded and observant to wildlife and nature. So go ahead, post your questions or comments and enjoy!

[Providence Palms]

buying palm trees for Rhode Island? I wanted to buy some palm trees and sell them over here to local people for the summer. It just started getting warmer and today it hit a high of 84 with sunshine. Is there a market to sell or buy palm trees in Rhode Island? I saw that there were three different types of palm trees that survive the snow, windmill palm, cabbage palm, needle palm, but are those the only ones? I saw the miniature chusan palm is able to go down to the teens in degrees and also the beaked yucca, is that right? If I buy more than 4 palm trees do I get a discount? What if I buy like 30 or 40 palm trees? Thank you in advance,
Jim in Providence.

[Palm Crazy]

HI,
I thought I was the only nut trying to grow palms up north. Ive tried all you mentioned except for the Needle Palm. I just purchased 2 from Georgia and put them in the ground this week. It appears to be the only palm that will take down to -10, so I am hoping it will survive with some mulching and protection.
Unfortunatly I think many of the low temperatures they mention for like the Windmill are only intended for short periods and not the several months of deep freeze we get.
I hope if anyone else has any input on protecting from winter cold, they might share some tips on how to better do it.
I might also mention I am trying a bannana tree that can take -10, called Musa Basjoo. I bought a 5' and also planted it this week.
Good luck and please share your results with me.

[Phoenix Lives]

Thats interesting I just bought a palm tree and I live in Warwick. Hopefully it survives the winter. My friend has had one in his yard for the past couple of years. I dont know if the palm is a needle palm, but I can ask. Why is the needle palm so cold hardy? What would a cold hardy be consisted of?

[Providence Palms]

Yeah the needle palm is a good choice. I am trying to open up a palm store in providence on the border of cranston where the mcdonalds is located and St.Pauls Catholic Church. So hopefully yo might stop by and say hello.

[Palm Crazy]

Hi,
Well right off there are very few cold hardy palms out there. Most except for the Needle Palm will have damage from long freezes. You may have noticed that some companies may say things like "can take 20 degrees or good in zone 6 or 7 with protection". My interpretation of this is that a palm that may take 20 degrees overnite, without any damage, is sure to die after 2 or 3 months of sustained cold, it is cold hardy but not adapted to a cold zone . I think when they say that they mean the palm will tolerate say N. Carolina where they may get a few freezes and a light snow each winter.
So getting back to the Needle Palm, the only thing that I have found that sets this one apart from the others is the needles around the base act like dead air spaces, much like fiberglass insulation works. It looks very much like the windmill but does not develop a long trunk and stays more a bush.
Also from my readings it seems age has a big factor to play, a young plant has a lower chance of surviving winter than an older established one. The delema is how do you raise an old plant in New England? I have tried potted and bringing them indoor in the winter, with only fair results. Though it will get through the winter the leaves usually burn when they are brought back out in the spring into the stronger sun. I am trying to keep them in partial shade for a few weeks, to see if that helps. You can see though as they get tall and the pots get heavier it is more difficult to move them indoors and out.
In closing I would also say you may have a better chance with a tree from as far north as you can find that has had some cold to adapt to rather than one from say hot Miami, that has never been exposed to cold, just my thought.

[colonialgirl]

I just purchase a beach house in South Kingstown and I want to give the landscape a tropical paradise look with real palm trees, but I am concerned about them surviving the winter. I have heard there are three types of palms tree's that are cold hardy enough, where they can survive the winter's up here, the windmill palm, the cabbage palm, and the european fan palm. Which palm tree would be best for my location?

[URI student]

During college I had some other small palms in my dorm room. I had a ponytail and areca... You dont necessarily have to plant palms outside, you can put them inside your place as well. I looked up those palms you asked about and it looks like they all do good in the cold, but maybe put them in a planter to bring them in just in case. I saw a palm at rocky point which was outside and I think it was a windmill palm.

[colonialgirl]

WOW Thanks URI student, I never knew you could keep real palm trees indoors. That is an even better idea. So Look like I'm getting some palm trees and I'll be putting them outside when the weather is good for them. Thanks again.

[ASID Interior Designer]

Loving this section!! I feel like I hit a goldmine for my new gardening centre

Originally Posted by colonialgirl

WOW Thanks URI student, I never knew you could keep real palm trees indoors. That is an even better idea. So Look like I'm getting some palm trees and I'll be putting them outside when the weather is good for them. Thanks again.

[Dakota T.]

The Musa Basjoo is a beautiful ornamental Palm its very dark purple leaves give its

distinction. I will try to plant one in my yard as well. I just learned they will tolerate -10

degrees. If this works out I will landscape my entire yard with these beautiful palms.

[chaz517]

Also for palm trees in CT, RI, NY, NJ, and Mass. , this company rents and sells palm trees to all the northeast areas, and will store them for you in the winter!!!

[jimstrees]

Love this place and thanks for trying to keep people aware of the importance plants and trees have. I have areca palms growing in my porch which has covered glass heavy duty panels and they have been growing great year after year. So whoever says they cant have palms here, think again. My neighbor also has crazy looking plants inside his living room and all he does is run an extra green bulb in the corner and he's able to grow really tropical looking stuff.