I have never given a darn about palm trees, that is until Hurricane Irma passed through the Caribbean and canvassed the entire state of Florida. Of course, I saw many images of the hurricane itself and its carnage, but as the days went by I became infatuated with the palms as much or more than the fierce storm itself. I switched on the TV frequently to check on how they were doing, all the while feeling twinges of empathy when I observed those palm trees battling the harshest of winds. Unlike other trees, I can at least take solace in knowing that they are likely to stand up to the task.
Certain palm trees are almost hurricane-proof. These include sabal palms, different types of date palms, manila palms and pindo palms, according to the University of Florida based on data collected between hurricane’s Andrew in 1992 and hurricanes Rita, Katrina and Dennis in 2005. There are many factors contributing to a palm’s ability to withstand wind, including the tree’s age, the condition of the soil, the duration of the storm and whether the tree grows on its own or among other trees.
These trees are masters of engineering; their stem is made of small bundles of woody material which provides great strength to support weight and allows the stem to bend over 50 degrees or more. They have no wide-spreading branches, rather huge leaves with a central, flexible spine – like enormous feathers that fold up in strong wind and rain. They seem to weather the wrath of hurricanes and tornados, waving majestically all the while. Also, scientists have found when the storm is over and the palm tree stands upright again, it is actually stronger than it was before the storm.
I have a cousin who lived in the Tampa area for many years right by the ocean. On her visits up this way, she always mentioned the strength and beauty of the tall palm trees that grow at the water’s edge. Gabriel claimed, “The palm trees’ secret to staying in one piece through huge, devastating storms is to bend almost to the ground and it is their resilience that allows survival.” She was one to pontificate and usually delivered her message for me like a Buddhist monk in a long red wrap. To negate negativity: “You can weather a storm by allowing it to blow through without resistance as a palm tree would.” That might be okay for some people but not me. I said, “I would rather be like embers hiding in waiting until time to start a wildfire.”
I did wonder afterwards if I had ever been resilient? Then it came to me! About 10 years ago, my Dad and I agreed to split the cost of a new 6’ x 8’ window. Afterwards we decided on horizontal blinds and called in a lady from Pembroke to advise and take measurements. The custom blinds were made but after our installation the three sections had no space between them and naturally wouldn’t operate properly. The lady came back and quickly realized she had forgotten to allow some tolerance. Visibly concerned, probably more about her boss than for us, she offered to have them remade. I said, “Wait a minute, why don’t you just take the middle section back and trim a fraction from each side of the slats. She was so relieved at that compromise and that’s how it ended. I remember I felt pretty good over part in it. I think maybe, I’ll show resilience again some time.
The Florida Keys is the only habitat in the US that will grow and maintain coconut palms consistently. Curiously, it is said that hospital’s plant palm trees to distract from the somber environment while casinos install them to loosen people up.
The coconut is the most extensively grown and used nut in the world and is the Swiss Army knife of all plants. Coconut oil is the chief product of the coconut. Literally every bit and piece of a coconut and its palm tree can be used. Coconut water is so antiseptic, it can be used as an alternative to blood transfusions (as a last resort). It can also be used to polish leather or even unstick a locked zipper in case of an emergency. The coconut palm, more than any other plant, gives a tropical effect to the Florida landscape and is highly valued as an ornamental feature.
If I ever get back to Florida I know what I’ll enjoy seeing best. And If there is a stiff wind during my stay there, I’ll make a point to practice some resilience alongside those palms.
