What Fruit Grows on Palm Trees? | Home Guides | SF Gate What Fruit Grows on Palm Trees? What Fruit Grows on Palm Trees? The coconut palm is economically important to many developing countries. Members of the family Arecaceae, palm trees are an ancient and diverse group of trees that bear fruit containing one or multiple seeds. Many of these fruits are hard or tough and suitable for consumption only by wildlife, such as birds and squirrels. However, a number of palms produce fruit that is good for human consumption or useful for other commercial purposes. Coconut Palm The coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) is a tall, tropical tree that grows well in U. S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10b to 11. The fruit of the coconut palm consists of a fibrous, hard seed coat surrounding a large, edible seed or nut. The highly nutritious nutmeat has many culinary uses and can also be pressed to produce coconut milk. Coconut oil, an edible semi-solid fat extracted from the nutmeat, is used in chocolate and ice cream, as well as products such as soap, hair conditioner, ointments, lubricants, rubber and paint.

Date Palm Members of the genus Phoenix, date palms range in height from 10 feet to more than 80 feet, depending on the species. Female date palms bear fruit if a male tree is nearby, but not all species bear fruit that is good for human consumption. The main trees used for commercial date production are the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) and the silver date palm (Phoenix sylvestris), both of which grow in USDA zones 9 to 11. Dates are grown commercially throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa and also southern California and Arizona. Many types of date trees are grown as ornamental landscape plants throughout the southeastern and southwestern United States. Jelly Palm The jelly palm (Butia capitata) is a cold-hardy, small to medium-sized tree with long feathery leaves. It produces clusters of small edible yellowish-orange fruit. The fruit is sweet, but somewhat tart and fibrous and is often used to make jelly. Native to South America, the jelly palm tolerates occasional winter lows to 15 degrees Fahrenheit and grows well in USDA zones 8 to 9.

Chilean Wine Palm The Chilean wine palm (Jubaea chilensis) grows approximately 80 feet tall with a thick, sturdy trunk. This palm bears small orange fruits that contain brown hollow seeds about 2 inches in diameter. These seeds look and taste similar coconuts. The tree also produces a sugary sap that can be boiled down to make syrup or fermented to make wine. However, extracting the sap eventually kills the tree. The Chilean wine palm prefers cooler temperate areas and grows well in USDA zones 8 to 10. Guadalupe Palm The Guadalupe palm (Brahea edulis) prefers sunny Mediterranean climates and is hardy to 20 F. This tree is native to Guadalupe Island, a small volcanic island off the western coast of Mexico. The Guadalupe palm bears small fleshy fruit, similar in taste and texture to a date. The fruit is often used for making jelly and jam. This tree reaches about 30 feet tall in USDA zones 9a to 11. Sunset Western Garden Book; Kathleen Norris Brenzel, ed.

About the Author Based in the Atlanta area, Charlene Williams has been writing and editing since 1988. She has over 15 years of experience working as a technical writer in the software industry. She has worked as a freelance writer for the past five years, and is a contributing writer for eHow and Answerbag. Williams holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Kennesaw State University. Photo Credits What fruit grows on a palm tree? | Reference.com What fruit grows on a palm tree? A: Quick Answer The most common fruits that grow from palm trees are coconuts and dates. Other fruits from palm trees include the acai berry, jubaea, peach palm fruit and betel nut. Full Answer The coconut palm has coconuts that hang below the fronds. These will eventually fall to the ground when ripe. The hard outer shell of a coconut can be stripped away with a sharp wedge or hammer. Date palm trees are plentiful and popular. When the dates get ripe in the fall, big nets are wrapped around the bunches of fruit to keep them together and on the tree before harvest. Medjool dates are the most popular type of date in the United States.

Florida Palm Trees & Their Fruit | Garden Guides Florida Palm Trees & Their Fruit Florida Palm Trees & Their Fruit Reason for flagging? Submit Overview Palm trees are plentiful in Florida, especially in the southern part of the state. In addition to adding beauty and structure to landscapes, some palm trees bear edible fruits. Dates are the most popular of the palm tree fruits, but several other varieties of palms also bear delicious fruits. Date Palms The date or Mejool palm (Phoenix dactylifera) was one of the first cultivated fruit trees. Date palms are grown commercially worldwide and dates are an important food in Africa, Asia, South America and the Middle East. The fruit is used in syrups, ice creams, vinegars, alcoholic drinks and other foods and drinks. Date palms are slow growing trees, but can eventually reach 80 to 100 feet tall. They have feathery dark green or silver upright fronds. The female flowers are cream and yellow, while the male flowers are white. Immature dates are green and turn dark brown when ripe. Date palms are planted in parks, resorts and residential areas in Florida.

Canary Island Palm The Canary Island palm (Phoenix canariensis) bears small oval orange fruits that are edible but do not have a good flavor. The tree has a large curved nut that resembles a pineapple at the top of the massive trunk and feathery dark green fronds. Canary Island palms are tall trees with large canopies and are used in parks and along streets and beaches in Florida. Pindo Palm Pindo or jelly palms (Butia capitata) usually grow up to 15 feet but can grow as tall as 25 feet. They have long arching feathery blue-green fronds and white flowers. The orange fruit is eaten fresh or used in jellies, jams, desserts and alcoholic beverages. Pindo palms are planted in parks and residential areas in Florida. Mexican Fan Palm The Mexican Fan or Washington palm (Washingtonia robusta) bears round black fruits that are edible when fresh. The thin pulp around the seed has a flavor similar to dates or butterscotch. Mexican Fan palms have tall slender trunks up to 100 feet tall, large palm-shaped fronds and curved thorns.They are used as accent trees near tall buildings and along streets and beaches.

Queen Palm Queen palms (Syagrus romanzoffiana) are elegant palms with smooth trunks up to 50 feet tall. Long lacy fronds form a canopy up to 25 feet wide. The green fruit turns orange when ripe and has a thin sweet layer of pulp. Queen palms add a tropical look to parks, gardens and along streets and beaches in Florida. Keywords: Florida palm trees, palm tree fruits, Date Palms, Pindo Palms, Queen Palm, Mexican Fan Palm About this Author Melody Lee worked as a newspaper reporter, copywriter and editor for 5 years. In addition, she has edited magazine articles and books. Lee holds a degree in landscape design and is a Florida master gardener. She has more than 25 years of gardening experience, which includes working at nurseries and greenhouses. Trees | Which Two Fruits Grow on Palm Trees Which Two Fruits Grow on Palm Trees? Which Two Fruits Grow on Palm Trees? Palm trees are a beautiful and unique staple of the scenery in any warm, tropical climate. Two edible fruits - coconuts and dates - grow on some varieties of Palm trees, but people are sometimes confused as to which Palm trees grow each of these delicious fruits.

Coconut Palm Tree Coconuts and the Coconut Palm Tree The Coconut Palm tree is grown throughout the tropical regions, and thrives in sandy soils, abundant sunlight, warm temperatures and high humidity. It is one of the most famous types of Palm trees due to the popularity and widespread use of the coconut fruit. Technically, the coconut is what is called a drupe, a fruit with a fleshy layer - it is not a true nut. The coconut is used in all kinds of ways: The "meat" of the coconut, which is the white flesh inside, provides oil, which is used for cooking and making margarine. The meat of the coconut can also be cooked, eaten raw, or dried. The meat of the coconut can be pressed for its juice, referred to as coconut milk, which is a healthy drink and can also be used in cooking. The cavity of the coconut is filled with "coconut water," which contains a large amount of sugar, vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and is an excellent, nutritious drink. The hard coconut shell is often used to make things, from bowls to buttons. The flowers of a coconut bloom produce a sap, which can be used as a drink.

It can also be fermented to produce "Palm wine." The buds of the coconut blooms are also edible and are known as heart-of-palm. They are a delicacy and often used in high-end culinary recipes. Dates and the Date Palm Tree Date Palm Tree Dates are a sweet, fiber-filled fruit grown on certain types of Palm trees, known as Date Palms. Date Palms are specially cultivated for the fruit and probably originated around the Persian Gulf, although today they are grown anywhere the climate is suitable due to their desirability. Dates have been a food staple in the Middle East for centuries and are often mentioned in the Bible. The fruit has multiple uses, both as food and otherwise: Dates may be eaten, fresh or dried; they may also be pitted and stuffed with various fillings such as cream cheese. Multiple puddings and desserts, particularly those of Middle Eastern origin, contain chopped dates, sometimes glazed with glucose syrups. Dates are popular in the U.S. as a holiday food, often baked into breads along with nuts, cinnamon, and other traditional ingredients. Their sweet flavor is nicely balanced by the richness of the spices. Date juice is used in some Islamic areas as a form of non-alcoholic champagne.

The seeds of the date can be ground up and used as cheap animal food. Date oil is often used in soap and cosmetics and requires little chemical processing, making it cheap and natural. Date seeds may be burned in place of charcoal or even used as an additive to coffee beans to enrich the flavor of coffee and stretch the beans to make more volume. The high tannin content of dates allows for their use in many traditional medicines; they have a natural cleansing and astringent power and can be used for everything from sore throats to colds and fever. The sap of the Date Palm tree may be used to make a special syrup that adds sweetness to foods and recipes. The leaves of the Date Palm tree are perhaps best-known for their use during Palm Sunday in Christian tradition. They are also used in North Africa for making sheltering huts; their large size, waterproof nature, and durability make them suitable for everything from basket-weaving to fans. The wood of Date Palm trees is very light and can be used for crafts as well as making things such as decorative structures (posts, railings, etc.) to actual infrastructures such as bridges. The wood is easy to carry and cut and withstands weather well, although it's not the most durable of woods.

Extra wood may also be burned for fuel. Other types of Palm fruits grown on other types of Palm trees are, in fact, edible, and some have multiple uses, but no two are as popular or as widespread as coconuts and dates and no two have made their way so successfully into our daily culture with such wide-spread methods of use. Copyright © 2012 LoveToKnow Corp., All Rights Reserved What Is the Fruit of a Palm Tree? | Home Guides | SF Gate What Is the Fruit of a Palm Tree? What Is the Fruit of a Palm Tree? Palm fruits range from small berries to large coconuts. Tall and exotic, palm trees dot tropical and semitropical landscapes with rugged, irregular trunks topped by a tuft of green fronds. Palm trees are the only members of the monocot order, Arecales, although there are dozens of genera and hundreds of species within the order. Despite their primeval appearance, palms are angiosperms -- they flower and produce a wide variety of fruits.

Importance The coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) fruit’s husk provides coir, a stringy substance used in horticulture; oil from the seeds of the cohune palm (Attalea cohune) is used in soap. Palm trees are not harvested for their fruits alone, though -- dozens of varieties are important to local economies in tropical countries and have provided food, medicines and building products for centuries. Palm tree sap and pith contain a variety of oils, starches, sugars and even the basis for a wine called arrack. Hearts of palm come from the growing tops of the trees. Trunks make sturdy wharf pilings or lumber, and woven fronds make watertight roofs against even the strongest tropical downpours. Flowering Palms Palm trees bloom the same way as other angiosperms. They produce clusters of unremarkable flowers each spring at the base of fronds around the tree, but are frequently deadheaded on ornamental palms to keep the tree looking attractive. Palms may have unisexual or bisexual flowers, so successful pollination depends on the proximity of other species of palms and presence of the tree’s traditional pollinator.

Beetles, bees, wasps, flies and even some types of bats pollinate palms, depending on their species and geographic location -- and fruits follow pollination. Useful Fruits Palm fruits grow only from pollinated flowers, so many flowers may fade and die on the tree. The fruits contain one or more seeds and, while smaller fruit is soft-skinned and fleshy, larger fruits grow a hard skin to support their weight. Palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer) is an Asian type that produces fleshy, golden edible fruits an inch or two in diameter. Palm tree fruits may be soft or hard and follow flowers in clusters, some of which produce large numbers of fruits. The African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), for example, produces clusters of flowers that yield 200 to 300 black berry-like fruits, the skin and seeds of which are used to produce palm oil. The berry-sized fruit of the acai palm (Euterpe oleracea) is used in alternative medicine.

Familiar Fruits Two palms, the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) and coconut palm (Cocos nucifera), produce fruit that is consumed around the world. The date palm, a native of the desert Middle East, has grown in orchards for centuries and may produce as much as 500 pounds of the sweet, brown fruits each year over a lifespan of up to 100 years. Coconut palms have migrated from their native Malaysia to coastal areas around the tropics. A single tree can produce from 40 to 100 white-fleshed nuts per year that yield not only coconut meat and milk, but also copra, coconut oil and coir. What Fruit Grows on Palm Trees? | eHow What Fruit Grows on Palm Trees? Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images There are about 1,100 different species of palm trees on Earth, most growing in tropical areas of the world. The fruit of each tree varies, ranging from the berry like fruits of the California fan palm to the fleshy fruit of the coconut palm. Some fruits are even covered in scales.

Dates The date palm is native to the desert areas of Northern Africa and has been grown for thousands of years. The fruit grows on female trees that must be pollinated by male trees for the dates to mature. Dates only grow on female trees. Coconut Almost one-third of the world depends on the fruit of the coconut tree. Coconuts are a staple part of the diet on many islands where they grow. Coconuts are very nutritious and contain a lot of fiber, vitamins and minerals. Coconuts are sometimes called the "tree of life" because every bit of the tree is used. Jelly Palm Fruit Jelly palms are grown all over the world, but they are native to parts of Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. The small yellow- to orange-colored fruits taste like a combination of apricots, pineapple and banana. They can be eaten fresh or used to make jelly or wine. Pygmy Coconut Pygmy coconuts come from the Chilean wine palm. The fruits are fleshy, sweet and egg-yellow. They taste something like coconut and are eaten raw or made into candies. Other Fruits The fruit of California fan palms are brownish-black berries that taste something like dates or butterscotch.

Guadalupe palms bear plump, black fruits that taste like dates and can be made into jams and puddings or eaten fresh. EDIBLE HARDY PALM FRUITS Fruit Facts Common Names: Guadalupe Palm, Guadalupe Fan Palm. Related Species: Mexican Blue Palm (Brahea armata), Palma Dulce (B. dulcis). Origin: Guadalupe palms are native to Guadalupe Island off the west coast of Mexico but are widely grown in many parts of the world. Adaptation: Guadalupe palms thrive in dry, sunny climates, and do not like humid tropical conditions. The palms grow well in many parts of California and are hardy to at least 20° F (USDA Zones 9-10A). They can be grown for some time as container specimens. DESCRIPTION Growth Habits: The palms are robust and slow-growing to 30 feet with a canopy of several dozen leaves. The naked, elephant-hide trunk is ringed with leaf scars. Their slow growth, moderate size and clean habits make them attractive landscape specimens.

Foliage: The fan-shaped, costapalmate, stiffly folded leaves are 3-6 feet long and 3-4 feet wide, dividing about halfway into 70-80 segments that split deeply at the tips. They are green on both sides and sometimes contain teeth on the margins of the petioles. The trees tend to be self-cleaning. Flowers: Large clusters of yellow, bisexual flowers are borne on 4-5 foot inflorescences that hang down from the leaves. Pollination is by wind and insects. Fruit: Plump, black fruits, about one inch in diameter are borne in great sprays on the trees. The pleasant, sweet taste is somewhat like dates. CULTURE Location: Guadalupe palms do best in a sunny location. Their wind and salt tolerance make them suitable for beach and desert conditions. Soil: The trees are widely adaptable to most soil conditions. Irrigation: The palms require little or no water once they are established. Fertilizing: Guadalupe palms have a low nutrient requirement. Pruning: The palms seldom need pruning. Propagation: Propagation is from seed, which germinate in two to four months.

Pests and Diseases: The palms have no major pests, diseases or physiological problems. Harvest: The fruits are picked as they ripen. They can be eaten fresh or made into jams and puddings. Under refrigeration they can be stored for a month or more. Common Names: Jelly Palm, Pindo Palm, Wine Palm. Related Species: Yatay Palm (Butia yatay). Origin: Jelly palms are native to central-southern Brazil and adjacent areas of Uruguay and Argentina. Today they are widely grown in many parts of the world. Adaptation: The jelly palm is the hardiest feather-leafed palm currently in wide cultivation, withstanding low temperatures of at least 15° F (USDA Zones 8B-10B). They grow well in central and northern California, Florida and the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts into the Carolinas. Their small size and slow growth habit make jelly palms good container specimens. DESCRIPTION Growth Habits: The trees are slow-growing to about 15 feet with a canopy of 40-50 leaves. The trunk is heavy and patterned with stubs of old leaves.

Jelly palms vary considerably in nature, the forms differing in ultimate height, trunk thickness, leaf color and amount of arching, and fruit color and taste. Their neat, compact growth makesthem very attractive landscape features. They are widely used as specimen trees in California and northern Florida, where they also function well in median and avenue plantings.The trees very wind-tolerant. Foliage: The arching, blue-green, 4-6 foot, pinnate leaves are crowded with many upward-pointing leaflets that form a pronounced V-shape. The petiole is armed with stout, sharp teeth along the margin. The leaflets are about 2-1/2 feet long and 1 inch wide. Flowers: Numerous, very small creamy yellow to reddish flowers are borne on once-branched, 3-4 ft. long inflorescences bearing separate male and female flowers. Pollination is by wind and insects. Fruit: The one-inch, yellow to orange-colored fruits are round to oval-shaped, and hang in large sprays from the tree. Each fruit contains a single seed. The sweet-tart flavor is reminiscent of both apricots and a pineapple-banana mixture.

CULTURE Location: Jelly palms do best in a sunny location but will take some shade. Wind is no problem because of their high tolerance to it. Soil: The trees are widely adaptable to most soil conditions and have a moderate salt tolerance. Irrigation: Jelly palms are highly drought-tolerant, but appreciate an occasional watering in summer-dry areas. Fertilizing: The trees seem to thrive with little or no fertilizing, although they respond to a spring fertilizing with a complete fertilizer. Another light fertilizing in mid-summer is also helpful. Pruning: The only pruning necessary is the removal of lower leaves as they become untidy looking. Propagation: Propagation is from seed, which germinate in six months or more. Germination is faster after dry storage. Pests and Diseases: The major pest problem is scale. Major disease or physiological problems are ganoderma, stigmina leaf spot, graphiola false smut and phytophthora bud rot. Harvest: Jelly palm fruits are picked as they ripen. If whole bunches are harvested, they tend to ripen all at once. The fruits can be eaten fresh and pureed, or used to make an excellent jelly as well as wine.

They can be stored for about a week under refrigeration. Jubaea chilensis Baill. Common Names: Chilean Wine Palm, Honey Palm, Coquito Palm. Origin: The palm is native to coastal valleys in Chile that do not experience extremes of both heat or cold. It is now grown worldwide in Mediterranean type climates, including California. It is the most southerly representative of the palm family in South America. Because of extensive sap collection from them, which ultimately kills the tree, the palms have become threatened in the wild with very few stands remaining. The species is now protected by law in Chile. Adaptation: Chilean wine palms are intolerant of hot, humid tropical or subtropical climates and do not thrive in such places as Florida. They grow well in many parts of California and are hardy to about 20° F (USDA Zones 9-10A). Because of their slow growth habit, Jubaeas can be grown for some time as a container specimen. DESCRIPTION Growth Habits: The slow-growing trees can reach a height of 50-80 feet. Thick, 4-6 foot diameter trunks are dark gray and conspicuously marked with raised, diamond-shaped leaf scars.

The elegant, feathery palms are attractive as specimen trees or in avenue plantings. Foliage: The stiff, spreading, 6-12 foot, pinnately compound leaves are dull green above and gray below. The 2 foot long, 1 inch wide leaflets tend to split at their ends. The trees are essentially self-cleaning, neatly dropping their older leaves. Flowers: Sprays of tiny purple flowers are borne on once-branched, 4 foot long inflorescence bearing triads of one female and two male flowers. Pollination is by wind and various insects. Fruit: The 2 inch, oval, egg-yellow, edible fruits hang down in bunches and are fleshy and sweet. Each contains a single hard, smooth-shelled nut about 1-1/2 inches in diameter with a pleasant, open-centered edible kernel, known as cokernut or pygmy coconut. The taste is somewhat like a miniature coconut. CULTURE Location: Chilean wine palms do best in a sunny location. The trees are wind-tolerant, but their low salt tolerance make them generally unsuitable as beach palms. Soil: The trees are widely adaptable to most soil conditions.

Irrigation: The palms are highly drought-tolerant once they are established. Fertilizing: Young trees benefit from an occasional light fertilizing with a complete fertilizer. Older trees generally thrive without fertilizing. Pruning: Pruning is is seldom needs since the trees tend to drop older leaves as they begin to die. Propagation: Propagation is from seed, which germinate erratically in six months to over a year. Pests and Diseases: The palms have no major pests, diseases or physiological problems. Harvest: The fruits are harvested as they ripen or fall to the ground. They are sometimes candied. The edible kernels are eaten raw or made into confections. The nuts will keep for months in cool, dryish storage. In Chile the sap from the trunk is fermented into palm wine or boiled down to a syrup known as palm honey. To harvest the sap, the crown of leaves is cut off, after which the sap begins to flow. This will continue for several months, provided a thin slice is shaved off the top each morning, until the tree is exhausted. Individual trees can yield up to 90 gallons. Common Names: California Fan Palm, Desert Fan Palm, Petticoat Palm.

Related Species: Thread Palm, Mexican Fan Palm (Washingtonia robusta). Origin: California fan palms occur near streams and springs on borders of the Colorado Desert of California and southwest Arizona. The related W. robusta is native to arid regions of Sonora and Baja California, Mexico. Adaptation: The palms are extensively grown in many parts of California and are common along the Gulf Coast and in Florida, as well as in other parts of the world, particularly those with Mediterranean-type climates. They are hardy to 18° F (USDA Zones 8-11). DESCRIPTION Growth Habits: The robust palms grow at a moderate rate to about 50 feet with a large canopy of several dozen leaves. The cylindrical, closely ringed and fissured trunks are swollen at the base and covered with a "petticoat" of dead, pendant leaf stalks, extending almost to the ground. The trees are especially valuable as avenue plants, and are widely used as such in southern California and Arizona. The also make handsome specimens They are not a particularly good choice for container culture because of their relatively fast rate of growth.

Foliage: The immense, fan-shaped, costapalmate, grayish-green leaves are 3-4 feet long and 6-7 feet wide, dividing about halfway into 50-70 pointed segments that bend and split at the tips with threads in between. The leaves are edged with prickles and stand well apart in an open crown. Flowers: Numerous white to apricot, bisexual flowers are borne on 9-15 foot arching, branched inflorescences that hang down from among the leaves. Pollination is by wind and various insects. Fruit: The berry-like, small fruits are brownish-black and have a thin, sweet pulp that tastes somewhat like dates or butterscotch. Each fruit contains a single seed. CULTURE Location: California fan palms are wind-tolerant and do best in a sunny location. Soil: The trees are widely adaptable to most soil conditions. Irrigation: The palms are drought-tolerant but appreciate some moisture. In native stands they always grow near springs or other moist spots. Fertilizing: The trees respond to an occasional light fertilizing, particularly when young. Older trees seem to do well without regular fertilizing.

Pruning: Cultivated trees usually have the shag of dead leaves removed, since this can be a fire hazard as well as a home to rats and mice. Older, untidy leaves are also sometimes removed. Propagation: Propagation is from seed, which germinate in six weeks to two months. Pests and Diseases: Major diseases include phytophthora bud rot, pestalotiopsis and diamond scale fungus. Harvest: The small fruits are harvested when ripe and eaten fresh or dried, or made into jellies and drinks. The seeds are also edible and were widely used by Native Americans who ground them into meal for making bread or porridge. Palm Tree Fruit Search this site Palm Tree Fruit When you think of palm tree fruit, you probably only think of a coconut or maybe dates. Did you know that wax, oil , jelly and wine are also produced from their fruits. Not all kinds are edible. It really does depend on what kind of palm it comes from. The Foxtail palm's fruit is toxic to us and the every part of the sago palm is poisonous to us and animals. Dates You have probably eaten many dates in your lifetime, but l bet you never thought much about where they came from.

There's a lot of people who think they were more related to the fig or a prune maybe, which of course is a dried plum. If you live in Europe or in the Middle East dates from palms would be common knowledge, and same if you were from California or Arizona. It was not common knowledge that this is type of palm tree fruit for many folks coming from Canada or the northern states. Spain has the Canary Island date palm that is thriving on the islands. It is a highly prized tree in landscapes. The the palm tree fruit it produces is edible but for the size of tree you don't get much fruit. The Middle East is probably the biggest producer of dates in the world because the date palms grow the best in the dry arid conditions of the desert. They don’t have to be cooked to be eaten and many farms leave the dates on the trees not just to ripen but to dry some too before being harvested. Wax Palm Fruit The wax palm grows a fruit very similar to the Christmas palm tree in looks. This palm tree fruit comes out green and is red when it is ripe. Their fruits look like small radishes or large cherries. There are really two types of wax palms.

One produces wax from their leaves and stalks and is used as sealing wax. While the other wax palm grows mainly in South America and gets the wax from their fruits/seeds. This wax is quite soft and is easy to add fragrance to-making great for candles. This is Columbia’s national tree. They grow in the valleys of the Andes at higher elevations than you'd probably guess. 1000 ft + above sea level. Believe it or not they get to be over 200 ft tall, that’s more than 20 stories! Oil Palm Fruit Oil palms are grown in plantations and their fruit is harvested for the oil. One type of this tree is native to Africa and another to South America. Both are now grown in various parts of the world. The oil is used for food products, cleaning products and for the production of biodiesel. I bet you never thought about it but palm oil is some of the healthiest available. It is used in a multitude of products from salad dressing to shampoo. Some oil palms have both the seed's husk and inside kernels used for palm oil. Another catch here is that there are also palms whose leaves are also used to produce oil but a completely different kind.

Two kinds of palm fruit. One on right is used in biodiesel. The above is a type used more for edible oil. Coconuts My favorite palm fruit and more than likely yours too, is the coconut and running in a close second is banana. The coconut palms that are grown on farms in an orchard type of setting are now recycled for their lumber once the tree is finished its coconut production. Did you know that a coconut palm could be a productive fruit producer for 70 years? Holy cow, compared to other fruit trees I’d have to say they have a long fruitful life! Other Palm Tree Fruit The Pindo palm produces a yellow or orange colored fruit that look similar to dates. There are lots of people out there who will make a great jelly or wine from these. You can also eat them raw straight off the tree. For a simple jelly recipe using this kind of palm tree fruit click here visit the Pindo palm page and watch a short video. The acai berry that is so popular and healthy comes from that kind of palm. The fruit of the saw palmetto (a bush or scrub palm) is used for a men's prostate health supplement. I bet that too was something you may not have known.

There are lots healthy products on the market that come from these great trees. Follow the arrows for more articles on palm tree information. Palm Tree | All About Palm Trees Furniture, food, oil, shade, rope Palm Trees Palm trees are among the most exotic and recognizable foliage on the planet. While they may be known as the "Princes of the Vegetable Kingdom," most people associate Palms with the sun, sand and surf. Fortunately, you are not relegated to decorating your home with the blow-up versions. With a little know-how you too can transform your backyard into a luxurious Palm tree-lined oasis. Appearance of the Tree Palm Frond The Palm's distinctive fronds and fruit make the tree stand out among its peers. However, despite its highly distinguishable appearance, there are nearly 3,000 different species of Palm trees throughout the world. Each type features a few similar characteristics, including: Leaves: The leaves of the Palm are very large and are known as fronds. They are divided into two major groups: fan-shaped and feather-shaped. The former, also known as palmate, are characterized by large segments that spread out like fingers on a human hand.

Meanwhile, the feather-shaped or pinnate variety, are characterized by leaves that sprout out along each side of a central axis and look like unruly tufts of hair. Trunk: Most Palms feature tall, cylindrical trunks that look very similar to a columns or pillars. In some types, the trunk includes hooked prickles, while others boast smooth trunks with very few markings. Flowers: Palm tree flowers are small and insignificant. They range in color from yellowish-green to light green and typically feature six stamens, though some Palm tree types have blossoms with twice as many of the stick-like offshoots. Fruit: Palm fruits vary in size, color and character; however, the most recognizable is the coconut. The hard, brown fruit has a brown shell and an edible white interior. Other Palms produce a berry-like fruit with a fleshy rind that covers a hard kernel. Palm Tree Fruit Palm Tree Types Coconut Palm Palm trees are often associated with fun in the sun and other memorable moments spent in tropical locales. Not surprisingly, many homeowners enthusiastically plant Palms near their patios and pools to recreate those fond memories.

However, before you start adding Palms to your property, it's a good idea to select a type that will prosper in your particular neck of the woods. Some of the most popular types of Palm trees include: Coconut Palm: Known for its versatile fruit, this Palm will keep producing coconuts until it reaches its 80th growing season. Another distinguishable trait is its massive height. Coconut Palms can grow up to 100 feet tall and feature a canopy of fronds that spread nearly 30 feet wide. Needle Palm: This pokey Palm is native to the southeastern region of the United States. Its needle-like spines are similar to those found on a porcupine. Another notable characteristic is its small size. The needle Palm's height doesn't exceed 10 feet. Foxtail Palm: The bulk of the foxtail population is centralized in Australia where it is known for its large leaves and small orange-red fruit. The tree grows to about 35 feet and thrives in direct sunlight. Bismarck Palm: The stunning Bismarck captivates with its massive canopy.

Native to Madagascar, the Palm got its name from the first chancellor of the German empire, Otto von Bismarck. The tree reaches a maximum height of 60 feet and is very hard to kill because it is tolerant of both extreme heat and cold. Royal Palm: This majestic Palm soars nearly 80 feet into the air and sports a light grey, smooth trunk that is swollen at the base. Its bright green fronds decorate the top of the tree where white flowers blossom seasonally. The royal Palm needs direct sunlight and warm temperatures to prosper. The Many Looks of the Palm Tree Palm Coconuts Oil for beauty products and cooking Building material In addition to coconuts, heart of Palm is another edible product of the tree that can be added to salads or stir-fry. Palm oil can also be extracted from the tree and used for industrial purposes. Interesting Facts Key to Palm Sunday Palm trees have long secured their place in history, having been mentioned multiple times in both the Bible and the Koran. In the Christian faith, Jesus was greeted by a path of fronds as he entered Jerusalem on what is now known as Palm Sunday. In that instance the Palm symbolized victory.

Other interesting facts associated with the Palm tree include: The trunks of Palm trees do not get thicker as they age; rather, they simply grow taller. Some Palms have trunks that are as skinny as pencils. Fossil Palm trees date back 100 million years to the Jurassic Era. Muslims regard the Date Palm as the "tree of life," as its roots can be traced back more than 5,000 years. Palm Diseases Yellowing Frond Palms are among the hardiest trees on the planet; however, they are susceptible to a few lethal diseases, such as: Bud Rot: The disease is caused by a fungus which attacks the fronds of a Palm. Fusarium Wilt: This is another Palm tree fungus which wilts fronds and causes them to lose their green color. Unfortunately, once a tree is infected with this disease, there is no way to cure it. Lethal Yellowing: This disease robs Palms of essential nutrients and can spread rapidly from tree to tree. In addition to the above diseases, Palm trees are a magnet for Palm aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, Palm weevils and caterpillars, which can cause irreparable harm if not addressed.

Palm Care Most Palm trees are very easy to grow, but they are equally easy to kill if you don't care for them properly. If you are planning to grow Palms, it's a good idea to keep the following growing tips in mind: Libya Palm Trees Pruning: Do not over prune a Palm tree. The sturdy tree needs nutrients from older fronds to prosper. Watering: Palm trees thrive in well-drained soil and should be watered on a regular basis. However, you don't want to over water your tree. If you notice the Palm fronds turning yellow or brown, then your tree is getting too much water. Fertilizing: Do not add fertilizer to the soil when planting a new Palm, as it can damage the tree's roots and burn its trunk. Newly-planted Palms do not need fertilizer for the first three to four months. Finally, planting a Palm in extremely cold temperatures will be a death sentence for the tree. Tropical Palm trees nee warm and humid weather to survive. Copyright © 2012 LoveToKnow Corp., All Rights Reserved

Question: Which fruit grows on palm trees?
Answer: Dates