It must be sort of like coconut coir? I would think it would work. I don't know how long it would last though. But I'm in Michigan and palm trees are exotics here, lol!

If is is not so thick that it keeps water from getting to the soil, it will be fine. Also if you are sure there are no seeds. Those fan palms reseed like crazy and are a terrible pest.

I've used chopped palm in the past, but one good Santa Ana wind blows it all away. Just something to keep in mind if you are in an area where the wind blows, though the Santa Anas are now over until the fall.

Thanks Hoovb! I did not think of that stuff blowing. I will have to try a bit in an easy area to clean up. It is like fluff.

There are no seeds, this is just the base and the roots, the seed part has been gone for decades. Silly birds pick up hose seeds and drop from the power lines or trees....grrrr.

I thought I would try a soak test in a bucket and see how it handles water.

hmmm