The date palm is also highly prized as an ornamental tree, as it is ideally situated in streets, avenues and driveways. Optimum planting conditions dictate that trees should be set 6-8m apart and then well soaked with water. The date palm can tolerate a high salinity level of up to 22,000 parts per million. Iraq is the top commercial producer and exporter of dates, closely followed by Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Algeria. According to the Qur'an, dates have always been considered beneficial to mothers.
Dates are high in fiber and an excellent source of potassium.
Bedouin Arabs, who eat them on a regular basis, show an extremely low incidence rate of cancer and heart disease.