Susie’s Blog: Read My Palm

You can’t walk a block without seeing a palm tree, tripping over a fallen palm frond or hearing the wind rustle through their foliage. The world boasts thousands of palm species and many of them flourish in Florida.

Palm trees glory in colorful names such as Foxtail palm, Everglades palm, Lady palm, Jelly palm, Fishtail palm, Coconut palm, Mexican Fan palm, Sabal palm and the gorgeous and regal Royal Palm. Next to grasses, palm trees are a vital link in human survival as they supple people in the tropics with food, clothing and shelter.

Cuban Royal palm trees are a staple in landscaping, often along the roads. The Florida Royal is a native plant. Circular bands around the trunk mark where the fallen  palm fronds used to be attached. The trees also host colorful lichens that catch the attention of passersby. Ferns grow on the trunks of Pineapple palms–Pineapple palms are well named and the tree itself actually RESEMBLES a pineapple. The sap of some palm trees can be used to make sugar, wine or gin.

You can talk about trees for hours and whether you prefer shade giving oaks, evergreen scented firs, or syrup giving maples, I believe palms are amazing trees that contribute more than their share to feed, clothe and protect us. In return, they only hope to be allowed to flourish. 

Just like people.

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