It does look like its branching! Really interesting. I wonder how rare it is for it to branch? Definitely keep us updated! It should only be a few weeks at most before the first frond opens if it is branching.
Thanks for sharing!!
-Alex

Okay, that's just not natural. Assuming it's not a mutant, it must be floral in nature. Any local concerns about radiation levels?!:)

Dypsis lutescens and baronii branch rather frequently though that is still cool looking. There are Dysis that branch normally, too.

I have seen Dypsis cabadae do the same thing and actually produce a fork, if you will, that goes into 2 fully formed trunks.
The only palm genus that I know of that branches as part of normal growth is Hyphaene so this is really an anomaly. Let it grow...it should be neat!

Actually, Dypsis crinita, fibrosa and utilis normally branch in habitat. Also, Nannorhops branches normally and frequently, and even Jubaeaopsis is an above-ground brancher in habitat (very old plants, rarely seen in cultivated specimens). It is not ususual to see Phoenix dactylifera produce above ground 'branches' sometimes upwards of 15' off the ground, but for some reason they look less like branches than an alien plant coming off the original.

What I don't understand about Hyphaene is why they do not appear to branch in a Mediterranean climate... has anyone ever seen an above ground branch outside of the subtropics or Africa? There are hundreds of these palms in southern California and not a single one I know of yet is producing a branch. My assumption has been all along that they just aren't old enough, but some of these palms are 40 years old... how much longer do we have to wait?

The tree is a Dypsis lutescens (Golden Cane, Butterfly, Areca) right?

Mine did the same thing; it will grow into another trunk. It's an above ground sucker.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Thanks all!..its a very uncommon outdoor palm in the SF bay area. Now,its even more special to me..