SoS: Why You Don’t Grow a Washingtonia Palm in an Urban Garden

When we first created our garden over twenty years ago on a bare, sandy plot, I had the romantic notion of planting a cute palm tree. Our neighbour had one (about 8ft) as did many other gardens in the area, so armed with no more than the dream of our very own palm tree swaying in the wind and providing shade on a hot summer’s day, we trotted off to the nearest garden centre. Sadly, unfamiliar with the different types, we chose a baby Washingtonia palm. If I’d known then what I know now, we would never have planted it.

To give you some idea, the first picture is one of my neighbour’s Washingtonia, which they felled a few months ago. Okay, theirs was a few years older than ours, but it made me realise what we had to look forward to. The second photo shows the trees at Lagos Marina which, although well manicured, were still waaay too tall for an urban garden.

Lesson 1: Research palms before you buy.

Washingtonia growing in our garden: The first picture below shows the tree after the dead fronds were cut back in 2025 by a professional tree surgeon at a cost of 75€. The second and third pictures show that by Spring 2026, further work was required to keep the tree in shape.

~The Washingtonia dwarfed the house.

and at certain times of the day the blob of fronds obscured the sun and cast a shadow over the solar panels.

By June 2026, it was time to take drastic action. Sadly, the Washingtonia had to go. Not only did the palm seem dangerously close to being blown over in the persistent gales as the pom pom of fronds swayed perilously, but the potential damage to ours and other properties if it did made me anxious. …especially after a friend told me her Washingtonia blew over. Then there was the yearly maintenance. The cost was only going to increase, so why not bite the bullet now? Mr P was not happy, but practicality overruled his heart.

After careful research, we reached out to a tree specialist I’d seen advertising on Facebook, and before Mr P had a chance to change his mind, a price was agreed and the date booked. Of course, it had to be one of the windiest days we’d experienced so far this year. The wind was so strong I could barely stand up. We gave the guy the option to reschedule.

Unfazed by the weather he arrived with an assistant. Strapped on clampons, secured safety ropes and was up the tree, despite the strong wind and swaying trunk in a jiffy. Removing the lethal spikey fronds one by one, he carefully lets them drop without damaging the hedge and plants below.

Same with each chunk of the fibrous trunk.

*

The guys did an amazing job! Not only did they fell the tree but they also removed all the debris without damaging the plants. When they had finished I could not believe how much space we had to create another sitting and garden area.

We just need to figure out the quickest way to encourage the stump to rot down. For now, we level the ground as best we can with Brita (small stones). Any suggestions welcome.

The skyline is so different now. PLUS when the wind blows, it is quieter without the palm fronds crashing against each other.

That’s it for this week, folks. My thanks to Jim over at Garden Ruminations for hosting the garden Meme.