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Thread ID: 134842	2013-08-21 11:08:00	Now here's an odd one for the brains trust...........	Billy T (70)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1351740	2013-08-21 11:08:00	We have a Phoenix Palm [phoenix canariensis] at the front of our property. It was a gift from a friend at the time of our wedding nearly 30 years ago, and was a tiny plant at that time. We kept it in a pot for a few years, then about 25 years ago I planted it on a slight slope on our street frontage, bang on top of excavated spoil from earthworks carried out while excavating to a garage during major renovations. It has now matured into a rather large specimen and although the soil beneath it has been well consolidated over the passing years, it is not virgin soil and probably doesn't have the strength to take a lot of strain. I've never seen a Phoenix Palm blown over, and there are some around here that are three times the height of our modest example, but it leans toward our garage at an angle of around 7.5-10 degrees and from what I've seen of removals or transplants in progess, they don't have a root structure as such, just a fairly dense mat or rootlets that are quite strong and travel several metres from the trunk. I've spent some time searching for information but have found nothing helpful, it is all about how big they get and how nice they look! So, is there an arborist or other knowledgeable member around who knows how durable these trees are when the wind gets up? I've seen them being removed for relocation and they have virtually no root structure worth mentioning at that point, and some have been three times the height of ours, but I don't know how they have fared once transplanted! My concern is that it might land on our garage one day. We've just had it trimmed and the crown reduced, but that now accentuates the height and the lean! Cheers Billy 8-{) :help:	Billy T (70)
1351741	2013-08-21 20:47:00	We have a Phoenix Palm I've spent some time searching for information but have found nothing helpful, it is all about how big they get and how nice they look! . issg . org/database/species/ecology . asp?si=864&fr=1&sts=" target="_blank">www . issg . org Extensive root structure . Phoenix canariensis fronds can be harmful to humans and animals, due to sharp barbs that can cut off and embed themselves under the skin, eventually causing infection . Some individuals are also known to be allergic to the plant . Phoenix canariensis has also been documented as displacing native species and altering habitat . P . canariensis have also become a source of bronchial asthma in a certain individuals, as palm fronds senesce and dry out ( "This is not a good palm tree for residences unless the planting area is very large . . This palm is best used along boulevards, on campuses and in parks and grouped in trios to form focal points in cityscapes" . And: . nzherald . co . nz/nz/news/article . cfm?c_id=1&objectid=137712" target="_blank">www . nzherald . co . nz If it was me I'd have someone cut it down and burn it .	pctek (84)
1351742	2013-08-21 23:00:00	Yep. I'd get rid of it. There are much better forms of palm to grow. Canariensis grow huge, and unless you have about an acre, look silly on the average suburban section. It will probably be nearly impossible to grow anything underneath it too.	Richard (739)
1351743	2013-08-22 05:14:00	If it was me I'd have someone cut it down and burn it. Get someone to do it !!! ... tin of diesel, a box of matches and some snags on sticks ... gone !	SP8's (9836)
1351744	2013-08-22 05:24:00	Get someone to do it !!! ... tin of diesel, a box of matches and some snags on sticks ... gone ! You missed a couple steps; fire brigade shows up fines are issued :crying	dugimodo (138)
1351745	2013-08-22 10:44:00	Yep. I'd get rid of it. There are much better forms of palm to grow. Canariensis grow huge, and unless you have about an acre, look silly on the average suburban section. It will probably be nearly impossible to grow anything underneath it too. Well, we have no intention to getting rid of it, we like it and have a certain attachment to it, given the manner in which it was obtained. We have no problems with plants growing beneath it, we just choose wisely i.e. plants that thrive in the shade. It grows very slowly indeed, and if it has taken 30 years to reach its present height, it is not going to present a problem for a few years yet and we can always trim back the crown The 'extensive root structure' comment from pctek has answered my question very nicely thanks. To have grown to the present height now tells me that the root structure must indeed be comprehensive, and more so on the side away from our garage, so I think there is little chance of it falling. I now believe the tilt was probably caused by compression of the soil on the lower side in previous years, and before the root structure was fully established. What is silly is the oak tree belonging to neighbours across the road that is breaking up the driveway and foundations of their house, and blocks the drains with its leaves every autumn. Cheers Billy 8-{) :xmouth:	Billy T (70)
1351746	2013-08-22 19:18:00	Oak, together with Privet, should be declared a noxious weed.	R2x1 (4628)
1351747	2013-08-22 19:27:00	Oak, together with Privet, should be declared a noxious weed. Ah but oak makes awesome firewood, and gorgeous timber for furniture. Privet....can't think of any good use for that...	pctek (84)
1351748	2013-08-22 22:15:00	You missed a couple steps; fire brigade shows up fines are issued :crying Must have been those bloody kids down the road again ... look, they've been trying to have a sausage sizzle again ! Please note: I mentioned nothing about cooking the snags yourself ... you just assumed it. Gotta have an exit strategy ya know !	SP8's (9836)
1351749	2013-08-22 22:29:00	In my early twenties while flatting we decided to get rid of an old couch by having a few beers and burning it. The flames were impressive, so much so that a fire engine crossing the rail bridge a km down the road spotted them and came to investigate. They told us to put it out, turns out the couch was beyond the ability of our garden hose to extinguish :) After they put it out they gave us a very stern talking to, explaining how we'd have been liable for the callout if someone had reported it. good times :) :) The couch was an even worse mission to dispose of after that, and we confined our future blazes to a 44 gallon Drum. Anyway sounds like the tree is probably fine, not a fan of them myself but it's not on my property.	dugimodo (138)
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