Queen Palms - In Las Vegas???

Queen Palms  -  In Las Vegas???

Growing up in Southern California in the 70’s the Queen Palm was one of my favorite palms.  Of the many different species of palms growing in California landscapes the Queen Palm (Syagrus romanzoffiankum) provides one of the best tropical effects with its smooth straight trunk, soft bright graceful green feather-type fronds that sway with the slightest breeze. 

When I moved to Southern Nevada in 1979 I was quite surprised to find the queen palm being used in landscapes.  Environmental conditions of the Las Vegas Valley with colder winter temperatures combined with highly alkaline soils produce less than desirable growing conditions for this palm. 

March 2011 Las Vegas

March 2011 Las Vegas

Some degree of damage to frond tissue occurs nearly every winter.  Trees are hardy to the mid 20’s with death often occurring in the low 20’s to high teens.  During the winter of 90-91 official temperatures dropped into the single digits and nearly every Queen Palm in the Las Vegas Valley was killed.  In addition, Southern Nevada’s highly alkaline soils (high pH) severely limit the availability of the essential soil trace elements or nutrients required for proper growth and development, especially manganese.

March 2011 Las Vegas

March 2011 Las Vegas

The damage to the palms in the photos is not unusual. It's also important to note that this past winter was average or typical and would not be considered exceptionally cold.  Without TLC these palms will not generally recover replacing all the dead fronds until late summer when its only a short time until the process starts all over again.

So why do we still see Queen Palms installed every spring and summer in Southern Nevada Landscapes?  Because the palms are inexpensive, readily available from Southern California, provide a nice tropical effect, and are very attractive in nursery growing containers as they arrive in Las Vegas from Southern California.