Planting Canary Island Palm

19 years ago

Hi, we recently installed an in ground pool and poured concrete around same. Now were at the point wanting to landscape and would like a tropical look.

Pool is lagoon shape thereby there are no straight sides. We want to plant a canary island palm out in front of pool about 9 feet from concrete. This palm would make a statement. I have located palm locally, its about 10 years old and already forming a trunk. It's presently in a 80 gal pot.

I dug where I would like to plant and discovered about 24" down water lines going to in ground spa by pool.

Question? Would it be harmful or beneficial to this palm to plant it on top of these lines? Keep in mind when spa is on water temp in lines is 96 deg thereby it would warm any roots and surrounding ground to this temp .Again this is the ideal spot so when you step out in yard and turn toward pool there would be this palm which would stand out. Planting it anywhere else would not be as appealing.

Climate here in Mobile Al is hot and humid. I've seen Canary's in this area and they do make a statement!

Pool is automated, during winter months when temp is at freezing spa comes on to keep from freezing and would warm ground under palm.

With that being said, what would be the long term effect of planting palm on top of these's heated lines?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

florida_wannabe
19 years ago
I would be more worried about what the roots will do to the water lines in a year or two. I know a lot of tree roots are the cause for many many many septic tank back ups here in Kansas. It would be a very costly mistake if the roots shifted your water lines and caused a crack in your water lines.
harrywood
Original Author
19 years ago
Not worried about water lines. 2" sch 40 PVC. Roots will never grow into them. Will take years for a Canary Palm to become of any size where it has a chance of being toppled by high winds.Considering my age this is something I won't see.
Related Professionals
Danville Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Davenport Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Des Moines Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Boston Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Miami Landscape Contractors · Peoria Landscape Contractors · Salem Landscape Contractors · York Landscape Contractors · Toms River Architects & Building Designers · Jackson Architects & Building Designers · Dubuque Architects & Building Designers · Flint Architects & Building Designers · Allentown Architects & Building Designers · Bennington Architects & Building Designers · North Platte Architects & Building Designers
j.w.madison
19 years ago
As long as you have the room, a CIDP makes a nice specimen.
Palm roots are non invasive in the sense that they will not thicken in time( unlike Dicots) So you will have no problems with the roots breaking apart the pipes.They will however wrap themselves around the pipes ~ Especially with the added heat which does sound like a beneficial idea.
The only drawback I can think of with the added heat would be the soil drying out faster in the vicinity of the piping?

Sounds like a nice project!!
harrywood
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks for the input. I wasn't sure how heat would effect palm. We put a well down in June of 06 to water yard and fill pool so that will not be an issue.
Talk with nursey today to make arragements for pick up of palm, informed me its in a 100 gal pot and weights about 1000 lbs.I know I'm untertaking a job but feel like I can tackle it. I found CIDP's in a couple of nurseys(1,5,15,30,60,100 gal's) and decided to go with the larger that I found, has a few to choose from.
Should I add anything to soil when transplanting?
j.w.madison
19 years ago
Found some referances to Temp vs Growth Rate,( Was written with Phoenix dactylifera in mind but should parallel CIDP )

"Date palm is cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions which are characterised by long and hot summers, no (or at most low) rainfall, and very low relative humidity level during the ripening period. Exceptional high temperatures (Â± 56Â°C) are well endured by a date palm for several days under irrigation. During winters, temperatures below 0Â°C are also endured. The zero vegetation point of a date palm is 7Â°C, above this level growth is active and reaches its optimum at about 32Â°C; the growth will continue at a stable rate until the temperature reaches 38Â°C/40Â°C when it will start decreasing."

Rest of article is at link, Not sure about any soil ammendments, that would depend upon if your native soil was lacking in any key nutrients.

Here is a link that might be useful: Complete Article
money19
18 years ago
, I LIVE IN DALLAS TEXAS WHICH IS IN THE 8 ZONE AND I WANT 2 PLANT A CANARY ISLAND PALM.,AND MY QUESTION IS WOULD THE PLANT LIVE IN THE WINTER HERE. IT GETS COLD IN NOV, DEC AND A LITTLE IN JAN. THE COLDEST IT GETS ABOUT 27 DEGREES IN JAN, AND THAT LAST ABOUT 7 DAYS MOSTLY IN THE OTHER MONTHS IT'S ABOUT 35 TO 4O WITH SOME SUN.I PLANTED A SAGA PALM AND A MEXICAN FAN PALM A YEAR AGO AND IT LIVED WITH NO PROBLEM.
jimhardy
18 years ago
Ahhhh,how refreshing will the warm pipes hurt my palm? Now thats palm love at its best!And no mention of painting the trunk!How lucky your new palm is to have you for a parent!And free heat for its new crib,I feel at peace!
Michele Smith
6 years ago
We built our pool and jacuzzi and put a gorgeous Canary Islands Palm 6 feet in back of the jacuzzi, gorgeous. 9 years and guess what just happened.. twice the size and the roots just broke into the pipes. 🥺. Don't do it.