At Zimmerman Tree Service, one of our specialties is palm tree care in Florida. Our team of certified arborists are experts at planting and maintaining all types of palm trees. Palm trees come in several varieties, with species in all shapes and sizes. Perfect for the tropical climate of South Florida, it’s no wonder many homeowners want to include palm trees into their landscape design.
Our certified arborists have compiled a list of some of the more popular types of palm trees in Florida. Some of these species have long been landscaping staples in South Florida, while others have gained popularity in recent years. Each of these native Florida palm trees offers unique foliage and trunks, adding visual interest to any garden or landscape.
Spindle Palm
With its quintessential tropical look, spindle palms (Hyophorbe verschaffeltii) are the perfect way to create a paradise in your own backyard. Commonly cultivated in containers or in-ground, they thrive in areas with full light and year-round warm temperatures. In full sun, spindle palms can grow up to 25 feet high, with fronds as long as 10 feet. They are named after their grey trunks, which feature horizontal ridges and a wide base that narrows where the fronds begin to grow, resembling a spindle.
Lady Palm
Also known as the broadleaf lady palm or bamboo palm, this species of fan palm is a popular indoor and outdoor plant. Lady palms (Rhapis excelsa) are easy to grow in low-light conditions. Their large, star-like fronds keep their glossy deep green tint best when grown in shady spots. Lady palms grow up to 8 to 10 feet high with thin trunks topped with fronds, giving them a more oriental look. Multiple trunks grow close together and will cluster, creating a shrub-like appearance.
Royal Palm
Often referred to as the Cuban royal palm or the Florida royal palm, the royal palm (Roystonea regia) is a native Florida palm tree. This large palm tree can grow up to 80 feet tall! They are characterized by smooth light grey to white trucks and bright green crown shafts topped with long and full fronds that look almost fluffy. Due to their size, royal palms are typically used for larger private homes, estates, and exclusive gated communities.
Sylvester Palm
Also known as the silver date palm, Indian date, sugar date palm, or wild date palm, the Sylvester palm is a flowering plant in the palm family. Sylvester palms (Phoenix sylvestris) are very hardy and low maintenance trees that can grow up to 40 feet in ideal conditions. Their compact shape and silver blue-green fronds make them stand out from other palms. Their eye-catching trunks are described as diamond leaf-base scars. Invest in professional tree trimming services for the perfect “diamond cut.”
Bismarck Palm
The Bismarck palm is a large fan palm tree that can grow up to 30 to 60 feet tall with fronds spreading out up to 16 feet. Bismarck palms (Bismarckia nobilis) are best known for their massive fan-like costapalmate leaves that are typically silver-green but also come in light olive-green. In addition to its stand-out fronds, they have a stout trunk, and symmetrical crown, which makes them a perfect addition to any South Florida landscape. Due to their dominating presence, Bismarck palms are usually used for larger-sized properties.
Sabal Palm
A native Florida palm tree, the Sabal Palm, is the Florida state tree. Also known as the palmetto, cabbage-palm, cabbage palmetto, and blue palmetto, this species of palmetto palm is a medium-sized fan palm. Drought-tolerant, salt-tolerant, free of pest and disease, the Sabal Palm (Sabal palmetto) is a perfect choice for South Florida landscapes. They are known for their green star-like fronds that form a full, round canopy on top of their grey-brown trunk. These slow-growing sabal palms can grow up to 40 feet tall!
Choose Our Palm Care Specialists
At Zimmerman Tree Service, our certified arborists have over 40 years of experience maintaining South Florida landscapes. We specialize in tree trimming and tree treatment services for plenty of tropical species, including all different types of palm trees in Florida.
Are you looking to add more palm trees to your tropical paradise? Or do you need the palm trees you already have to be properly maintained? Either way, for experience and expertise you can trust, contact us or call 561-968-1045 to request an estimate!
