Palm Trees In the House - Tropical Home Decor Motif

 I've speculated on the whys of the popularity of palm tree decor.  And that's all it is - speculation.  It doesn't seem to be the type of topic that a lot of research is done on.

The possible reasons that have run through my head have to do with things like snowbirds, the tropics, male vs. female preferences, and neutral colors.  Oh yes, and there are two states with Palm Trees for state trees.

You'll find some of those speculations farther down the page.  Dan you think of anything to add to it?  If you can, there's a comment area at the end of this page.  More ideas are certainly welcome there!

Whether you are just thinking of putting bit of warmth here and there or adding more to your existing palm decor, here are some ideas that just might peak your interest.

These items are what I like to think of as "semi permanent" touches.  They're all easy or fairly easy to install and remove.  So, though they're not really permanent, they're not nearly so temporary as say, a palm tree bath towel that you might hang up on Tuesday, and throw in the dirty clothes hamper on Wednesday.

 Why are these tropical looking trees so often chosen as decorating accents or themes?  Here's some purely speculative reasons, just for fun.

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Sabal Palmetto or Cabbage Palms, with Seagrape in the foreground, CC

Some people may not consider the Sabal Palm, or Sabal Palmetto, to be the prettiest or most exotic variety of palm tree on the planet, but here in Florida, we think they’re pretty special.  So special, in fact that they are our state tree.

Apparently, the folks in South Carolina agree.  It's also their state tree.

What's so special about these particular palms?   

• You don't have to give them any special care.  They grow in practically any type of soil.  They're  more tolerant of colder weather than some other kinds of palms.  That's a good thing, since it can get really cold in South Carolina.   
•  Being resistant to salt water, they also grow well near the sea coast, which is a good thing, since Florida has over 1300 miles of coastline! 
•  They are able to withstand hurricane force winds better than trees that look much stronger, like Live Oaks.

Not for nothing was the Sabal Palm named the state tree of the great state of Florida. 

Also known as the Cabbage Palmetto Tree, the variety grows more abundantly in the Sunshine State than any other.  (We have nine palms in our own yard, three of them Sabals.) 

In addition to seeing them just about everywhere, you'll also find them on the state seal and the state flag.

Though quite delicious and considered a delicacy, don't try harvesting heart of palm in the state of Florida. You see, the heart really is the heart, and when it's cut out the tree will die.  That's  illegal here! 

Image Credit

South Carolina's nickname is "The Palmetto State."  

 Not surprisingly, it enjoys a prominent spot on the state's flag.  It's one of only two design elements on the banner, the other being a crescent.  Both are in white on an indigo background.

However, sometimes you'll see  this flag in other colors. That's done by students or graduates of one of the state's five main universities, who substitute their school's colors for the customary indigo and white.

Image Credit

The Sabal Palm was officially adopted as South Carolina's state tree in 1919, and it also appears on the state seal.

This squirrel struck a pose for my camera, as he sat on one of the bootjacks, or "boots," of a cabbage palm in my backyard.

Squirrels routinely cavort in this particular tree, leaping back and forth between it and the schefflera you see in the background.

The boots are the left over portions of old fronds that have aged, died, and broken off as the tree grew.  Some owners choose to remove the old boots.  In the wild, some palms actually shed them on their own, while others do not. 

photo by author