Artificial palms

[Bosley]

Wife was playing around on the internet last night and discovered she can buy Artificial palm trees...here we go! its her favorite tree so she wants a few for around the pool. After reading about them and doing some research they appear to be good product however I cannot find any reviews. Has anyone dealt with this company or know of another company that builds these?
oasisillusions.com
Cheers

 

[Arizonarob]

Bosley, Here is a good post regarding fake palms.

 

[Bosley]

Arizonarob,

Thanks for that link. The tropical palm trees are half the price of the oasis but definitely don't look as real. We could order twice as many for the same price. Unfortunately with the winters we have, nothing can live outdoors!!!! We got some thinking to do for sure

 

[rajung]

I did some quick research again on the Oasis Illusion trees.
Most do look more realistic than the ones I have listed in my old post. I might be concerned in the ones that look more real since they have frayed, for lack of better word, trunk. I have no idea what parts of those trees are called. sitting in a few feet of snow ,they are made out of real tree material. The ones I have are all rubber which have stood up extremely well and this year 5ft snow was no joke.
I would call them and see about what needs to be done for brutal snow belt areas for the fronds. I can take all of our 11 off in 1 hour by myself and store in a extra large double lid vinyl storage box. A little longer to put together ea spring but only due to making sure they are placed and spaced right. They told me I would not need to but recommended to. hey, it will double the life, and one less thing to worry about with heavy wet snow piled on them. Also, I would ask them to send you a PDF of the install instructions, that will have you prepared if you decide on that brand and might help in decision making.

 

[Bosley]

@rajung Thanks for this feedback. Did you get yours from Tropical Palm trees? They were featured on the TV Show "How it's made". I contacted them directly and were excellent to speak with. My wifes biggest concern is that the fronds do not look like shiny plastic. I was in contact with Oasis illusions and asked about how the trees have done up here in Canada and his reply was that he has no idea as he has never heard back from his customers. To me that is a red flag escpecially considering he has premium pricing. Through more research I also found out his trees are infact made in China. As of now we are leaning towards the Tropical palm trees. I don't suppose you have any pictures of your trees you could post?
Cheers

 

[Arizonarob]

I was in contact with Oasis illusions and asked about how the trees have done up here in Canada and his reply was that he has no idea as he has never heard back from his customers. To me that is a red flag escpecially considering he has premium pricing.

To play devils advocate, it could be a good thing that he hasn’t herd from his customers, as there have been no complaints. Most people will squawk when they have a problem, rather then a compliment.
Maybe ask them for some references up in Canada that you can follow up with.

 

[rajung]

I will see what I have for pictures.
One reason I also went with this company as they supplied trees to our local extremely large waterpark in near by Waterloo. It is called Lost Island Waterpark, they have a website with pictures of the park so you can see some trees there also.

 

[rajung]

Here are 3, I do not have any close up ones. Obviously taken last summer. Yes, I did get them there, over a span of 3 years. Once a year they will have a sale usually knocking up to $100 of ea. They are good to deal with, at one time when ordering 2 more I asked about a sale that was over and they gave me sale price anyway.
The fronds do have some sheen to them originally but will lose it after some sun. By the way, can you folks keep your miserable cold and snow up there for a couple years a least? We do not need it, but thanks.

 

[Bosley]

You have a great setup. looks awesome! As far as the cold and snow goes, I hate the stuff myself! Been a rough winter of -40C and a fair bit of snow. We are finally getting plus temps. Had to go outside and mark out our pool & deck with orange paint on the snow!

 

[Arizonarob]

Bosley, one thing to keep in mind. Real palms (and I have quite a few) have a shine to the palm fronds, unlike most other trees. So you would not want them to be dull looking because that would make them look fake.

 

[Bosley]

Bosley, one thing to keep in mind. Real palms (and I have quite a few) have a shine to the palm fronds, unlike most other trees. So you would not want them to be dull looking because that would make them look fake.

Absolutely. I am in the RV business and we sell the cheap little plastic palm trees that light up. Almost florescent green. HORRIBLE!!
Also regarding feedback from customers....Tropical palms did have reviews from some Canadian customers. I truly believe that if your selling anything especially to other markets, you would want feedback. Great way to promote yourself is with great reviews. Wifes bday is in July so hopping to have a few here by then....Lets see...ground work...build pool..run electrical, plumbing & gas...build deck....work 50 hours per week....No Problem!!!!

 

[rajung]

Just a little more info for you.
I do have one of the smaller 6ft trees they sell placed next to my steps up to pool. I did not want a taller one there. Those 6 foot ones are mounted directly in to ground by a post and cement, no pad needed since they don't catch all the wind and it has held up great even with 60 mph gusts also.
Only thing with those is they are made mostly straight up. Not with a arch as other ones have that option to make it more randomly realistic, like when you place in pairs or groups. I know I ordered quite a few trees from them so it may have made a difference, but I called them one day and asked if they could make the 6 ft one with a lean for me. They did at no extra charge. I just did not want it to look like a bunch of sticks out in the yard. They are great to work with. Also, if you need to ever touch up the finish on the trunk due to shipping and such, all you need is a tube of latex caulk, and to shades of latex house paint, tan and dark brown. If you apply the paint correctly you will never see it. The bolts they send with the trees I do not like, at least what they sent me. They were a bent pin with a nut, I opted to go with the wedge style that flare out as you tighten. Up to 10ft tall trees you can install yourself, otherwise they get a little top heavy to keep straight while marking for holes. Also the fronds use to be shipped with the tips painted with a dusting of yellow to appear more real but the last ones did not, which I did paint on later. I think it looks better. Maybe more info than you wanted!

 

[Bosley]

No such thing as too much info. Anyone that knows me would tell you I possibly over-research things HAHA!

 

[rajung]

Same here, been told that everyday. if its not broke, break it so you can fix it and see what makes it work. That's what happens during those long boring winter months.
If you do decide to go with this brand of tree and you group 2 or more together, I have found out that if the fronds are too close together from 2 trees, such as one very close or touching the bottom of the other one, during very high wind events, one can cause the other frond to lift out of its saddle and end up on the ground all due to the fronds temporarily flexing upward, only happened once in 5 years until I realized why.