I am looking for a single-trunked fan palm that doesn't get taller than about 15 feet. We have a young volunteer Mexican fan palm in the yard and it looks really nice there, but it will eventually get too tall to trim easily. Any recommendations for a shorter tree with the same look?
I Want a Short Palm
Kelli, did you get my email?
I got you envelope! Thank you so much! So much great seeds:)
Hi, Mitjo, I did get your e-mail. Sorry I didn't write back sooner, but it's been pretty busy here at the ol' rocket factory.
Heheheh, no problem, I just wanted to be sure that you got it.
OK, in your climate you have lots of choices: Brahea nitida is a very nice looking single trunk palm that will eventually get over 15 feet, but probably take about 25 years to do it. Trachycarpus wagnerianus is a nice, neat, compact palm that will eventually reach 15', but again, take about a quarter of a century. Brahea armata will get to 25' but is pretty slow. Bismarckia should get taller than 15' but in So Cal we don't have any much taller than that and we've been growing them for 40 years (very larger palm, though, so gotta have a lot of room laterally). Most Pritchardias will not get much over 15' in So Cal, except Pritchardia affinis. They look extra tropical if you like that look. There is a single trunk form of Hyphaene (H petersiana)if you like exotic and very rare palms... it should'nt reach 15' in your lifetime. Trithrinax brasiliensis will maybe get that tall... looks sort of like a Mexican fan palm with an intensely spiny trunk and stiffer leaves. Those are the ones that come to mind right now. Good luck.