Pindo Palm Tree

One of the most popular cold-hardy palms, and widely grown in zone 8, the Pindo Palm is a handsome, striking palm tree at all stages of its growth. Young trees make a graceful mound of arching leaves that is great in the garden or in a pot. Older trees have short trunks and are good for screening things like AC units, while mature trees show off their striking, knobby trunk that can be as much as 2 feet thick. In gardens most trees mature around 15 feet tall, but double that is possible in hot zones, in time, as this palm is not fast-growing. This is the most cold-hardy of the palms with leaflets along a central spine, as opposed to fan-like leaves, and gives the tropical look you see from coconut palms in true tropical climates. The leaves arch over, touching the ground when young, and they are often a gorgeous blue-green, reaching 6 feet in length even on quite young trees. Once well-established it will produce sprays of colorful, yellow-orange flowers in spring, which mature into aromatic yellow fruits packed with vitamin A and carotenoids. Eat them fresh or turn into pulp, which can be frozen. In Brazil, where this palm comes from, palm wine is made from the pulp. In colder climates this is a good palm for a pot, overwintered in a sunny window. Potted trees will grow in the same pot for years.

• Long, arching fronds with a central rib, blue-green in color
• Develops a handsome, knobby trunk 2 feet thick
• Grows slowly to 15 feet or more
• Bold orange flowers sprays in spring
• Edible orange fruit packed with vitamins

Grow the Pindo Palm in full sun, although a little shade is also tolerated. Plant it in any well-drained soil. Established trees have quite good drought tolerance. Cut off older fronds once they yellow, and avoid planting over hard surfaces, unless you are willing to gather up fallen fruit. It isn’t troubled by deer or pests, and is an easy, long-lived tree. It is hardy to 20oF, and can briefly tolerate 10o if it doesn’t last long. If a cold night is forecast and your tree is young, wrap the fronds in burlap for a little protection.