Other Names:  Pasopaya Palm

Description:

A cold hardy, fast growing palm that is drought tolerant and does well in a drier climate; trim away dead foliage to enhance appearance; will slowly mature into a stately palm and make an excellent landscape focal point; not for humid climates

Ornamental Features

Bolivian Mountain Coconut has attractive grayish green foliage with hints of silver on a tree with the bulk of the canopy held atop a towering trunk or stem. The narrow pinnately compound leaves are highly ornamental and remain grayish green throughout the winter. It has panicles of yellow flowers hanging below the branches in mid summer. The rough brown bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Bolivian Mountain Coconut is an evergreen tree with a strong central leader and a towering form, with a high canopy of foliage concentrated at the top of the plant. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Bolivian Mountain Coconut is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Vertical Accent

Planting & Growing

Bolivian Mountain Coconut will grow to be about 50 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 25 feet. It has a high canopy of foliage that sits well above the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 80 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America.