Tall Trees...

Having grown up in Southern California, I have a  certain affinity for palm trees, but this particular one is just absurd. I have left the power lines and the houses in the shot to give an idea of how tall the palm tree is. The redwoods are even taller, but they don't sway in the wind the way palm trees do.

Palms are famous for swaying when  slightest zephyr is blowing. I've noticed television news reporters are always standing reporters stand next to palm trees when reporting an approaching hurricane because they sway so alarmingly. 

Redwoods are pretty stalwart, even in high winds but they do throw bark and other detritus for quite a distance.  They are famous for being planted in backyards from a burl purchased at a gift and growing to massive heights before anyone really notices. 

We have friends who bought a lot covered with trees, most of which they cut down. They had to design their house to fit in between the redwood trees when they were notified that it is illegal to cut down a healthy redwood tree. They wound up selling the house and moving because the redwood trees were so dark and messy.

This particular palm tree, however, is planted in the parking strip next to the road I travel on almost daily. Although they sway alarmingly, they rarely fall over, which is a good thing because it would certainly take out half the neighborhood's power. 

It looks like the tree in the background has been 'topped' by PG&E but they must have lost interest, since it still appears to be quite a bit taller than the power lines. They have various approaches to the 'tree problem'
1) Clear cut a row of trees to the ground
2) Cut huge 'V' shape out of the middle of the canopy for the wires to go through
3) Whack off branches randomly for no apparent reason

We had friends in Berkeley who planted a little palm tree they  next to their front steps. They seemed to like it, even though the only thing that appeared to be growing was the trunk. The last time we passed their house their palm tree was taller than their two story house and was in the process of ripping up their steps. We understand from the neighbors that they have moved. Perhaps it was easier than cutting down that huge palm tree.

I love trees, but a certain amount of care and consideration should be taken before planting one