Today’s City Hall at 809 Center Street was built in 1937-38 in the Monterey Colonial style, a new style at the time. The enclosed Spanish Gardens are part of this style, but the date palm there today is not.

According to Leslie Keedy, Santa Cruz City Arborist, the Canary Island date palm tree was probably planted by a bird via its droppings. The bird probably got the date seed from one of the other Canary Island palms in the city. The palm took root next to the building but has been growing away from it, reaching toward the light.

Palm trees are native to tropical regions and are part of the Arecaceae family, which is common in the tropics. Because it is native to the Canary Islands, it grows in mild and tropical climates, which makes it desirable to plant widely across the globe.

The leaves and fruits are very important to some cultures for food, fiber, and shelter. Animals also have myriad uses for these palms. Squirrels eat dates and store them in the folds of the trunk for later. Kestrels, barn owls, starlings, and other birds also nest in these large protective trees. Thus, it certainly makes sense that this palm owes its existence to help from a bird.

Canary date palms, and palms generally, were commonly planted along the sidewalks or property boundaries of Victorian homes in Santa Cruz. In the 1800s, when the houses were built two palms were typically placed on either side of the home or the path to the home. The Italian cypress was also used in this manner, but not to the extent that the palm was.

Leaves

Palms are separated into two groups: feather palms, which have pinnately compound leaves that resemble a feather, and fan palms which have palmately compound leaves that resemble a fan.

This palm is a feather palm with leaves that reach up to 20 feet in length. Each leaf contains up to 200 leaflets that alternate on the sides of the central branch (rachis).

Flowers

Flower clusters are four to six feet long and orange. Female flowers are produced on separate plants. For this reason, you’ll see dates on only some Canary Island palms.

Palm trees are monocots. Other monocot plants are lilies, irises, and aloe.

Fruits

The fruit is a small drupe, similar to an avocado, about 2 cm long and 1 cm across. It contains a single seed.

Take the Self-Guided Mobile Tour

This piece is part of the Santa Cruz Tree Tour made possible by UCSC Environmental Studies student Laurel Wee with support from the Kennith S. Norris Center for Natural History. Download the free app with many tours of the Santa Cruz area and beyond.