Fake Palm Trees

[Suziqzer]

You guys got me interested in looking more into the palms and banana trees. Hubby wants the full tropical look out by our Indiana pool.

I was wondering how vigorous the root systems to these plants are since I have an above ground pool with a vinyl liner. I've decided against any type of bamboo for fear of some of their aggressive habits, but would like to consider some tropical plants that might endure our winters here.

 

[Melt In The Sun]

Not sure about banana trees, but palms as a general rule do not have invasive roots.

 

[tikifarmer]

Bananas in general aren't invasive , especially in Indiana . With that said I would not plant too close (4-5' away to be on the safe side) to the pool due to the fact that they clump and the clump will expand over time unless you remove some of the pups around the edge . Here is a link to a greenhouse in Indiana that specializes in bananas and tropical looking plants ...

http://northerntropics.mybisi.com/

 

[solarboy]

Not sure about banana trees, but palms as a general rule do not have invasive roots.

Here in Portugal we have TONS of problems with palm roots invading drainage systems. We also have the palm weevil that has recently arrived in imported large palms from Egypt and it is destroying all palms but especially Phoenix Caneriensis. You're left with just the trunk after the weevils eat away the heart. For this reason I'm interested in fake palm fronds to decorate these stumps.
If you hear of anyone trying to import palms from North Africa or Europe you need to make them and the authorities aware of this danger.
http://www.naturalgarve.com/gardencenters_doencas.php
http://www.redpalmweevil.com/newlook/RP ... tugal.html

 

[drb]

Try looking at these http://www.pacificlightsinc.com/ We got the hooter ones. Put in three, 2 12 ft and 1 10 ft in back yard last year and LOVE THEM!!! nice during the day and beautiful at night. We live in Minnesota and do nothing to them they have been in every thing from rainstorms to snowstorms. And look like the day they went in. Need to learn to add a picture

So how are these holding up? I am thinking of getting 1 or 2 and can't decide which ones. I live in Buffalo and think I may like to take apart and store inside for the winter. Is that something easy to do with these tress?

Just by looking I like the ones on the Oassis site, but they are by far the most expensive.

Daren

 

[poolmstr]

I like the ones with the led leaves. Has anyone come across some you could run power through? embedded speakers?

 

[drb]

View attachment 30861View attachment 30860

Well I went with the trees from Tropical Expression. I thought the trees from Oasis look better but were 2 times the cost. Also Oasis used real palm bark screwed to the trunck, I thought this might not hold up as good in harh winter weather. So I got [2] trees that I am very happy with, here are some pics;

Can't seem to add pics, but they are very nice. Got it, there are two trees right and left side of pool. They get lost in the greenery of the other trees but poolside they are unforgetable.

Daren

 

[dkellerd]

View attachment 30862View attachment 30861View attachment 30860

Well I went with the trees from Tropical Expression. I thought the trees from Oasis look better but were 2 times the cost. Also Oasis used real palm bark screwed to the trunck, I thought this might not hold up as good in harh winter weather. So I got [2] trees that I am very happy with, here are some pics;

Can't seem to add pics, but they are very nice. Got it, there are two trees right and left side of pool. They get lost in the greenery of the other trees but poolside they are unforgetable.

Daren

How are the trees holding up? I’m about to purchase some from there...I think.

 

[BMK]

I'm curious also. I have a nice planting space right by the pool, but nothing I plant there lasts very long. It's situated right next to an integrated slide, and the salt / chlorine mist from the slide eventually does in whatever I plant there. I never really considered artificial, but at this point, I'm very curious.

 

[cubsguy81]

You might also look into Mediterranean Fan Palms. Extremely cold hardy.

 

[rajung]

I'm thinking 10 or 12' guys! So real ones in Ohio aren't going to cut it, and storing large ones isn't an option..

http://www.tropicalpalmtrees.com/
http://www.custompalmtrees.com/outdoor.htm
http://www.oasisillusions.com/artificia ... vmchk.html

Oasis seems to have the best looking "fake" ones, but they command a premium price over the others!

I have 11 of them from tropicalpalmtrees.com
I installed them over a period of 3 years.
I just removed the fronds from them and covered each tree with a plastic bag to keep snow out, may not really need to do that but removing the fronds is a good idea just to get more life out of them since no need to be set up in winter.
Stood up to high winds great , close to 65 mph gust.
No sign of ageing on them after 4 -5 years now. Slight fade on fronds but you wouldn't know it .
Anchoring on a cement pad deep enough is the crucial part with rerod in pad. They come with instructions and the business is real helpful. The ship is costly on the 8ft and above, ran me about 200 - 300 for 2 at a time, shipped by semi.
The smaller 6ft can be shipped by UPS for about half the cost, also the 6ft one is only installed into ground with a post, no cement but has also held up great.I have the 6-8-10ft versions.
Looking at the site from custom palm trees you posted, they look and are named the same as the first one on the list , but have a larger variety of trees. Appear to be made the same as mine looking at the trunks and the way they are made and what materials used. They are made out of easily found building materials but the fronds would be a challenge to make, but you can buy them separately but might end up costing more in the long run.Drain tile, rubber belt, steel tube, buckets of laytex caulk, house paint
here is another version the way made.
makeing fake palm trees - Google Search

 

[drb]

Trees are about 5 years old and look as good now as they did new. I take the heads only off every season end so they don't have to deal with the weight of the snow.

 

[Bosley]

@drb Thanks for the reviews on these. We have been researching all yr. I googled Tropical Expression and it appears they no longer carry Palms.

 

[rajung]

Just out of curiosity I checked web site and they are still listed, did you call them?

 

[Bosley]

It would appear their is one in Canada and the one in the USA. I looked at the one in Canada and they sell Bonzai trees. lol The one in the USA does in fact sell Palms. I had to go far down the page on google to find it.
Cheers

 

[RedDawn289]

My neighbor down the street went all out and had large metal palms installed. They are now all rusted - not a pretty sight

I guess he better get out the Tremclad spray cans lol.

 

[Leik]

Windmill palms are great. They survived a 15 degree (f) temperature here this winter.