Bismark Tree

Back when Hurricane Charlie ripped through the Cape it caused untold destruction. For us there was no real damage to our home except for a few screens on our pool cover and some trees. We had a most beautiful bougainvillea on our front lawn. It covered an area of about 100 square feet and had brilliant red colour. It was ripped from its roots.

Theresa and I decided to plant a tree which would be a signature tree for our front landscaping. We took our time and after much consideration decided on a Bismarker. This is a sturdy palm with a bluish-grey-green colour. It would withstand the hurricane force and grow quite quickly.

Little did we know that this 5 year old tree would reach a height of 20 ft. and have branches or frowns weighing almost a hundred pounds. From a three frown tree in a one gallon pot to this so quickly amazed us. We do love it and it is easy to maintain it but maintain it you must. When we arrived here in October we had to saw off 9 branches. Each branch was 14 feet long and the composition of the branch is like hardwood.

It is a good idea when planting anything here to think what it will be like in five years. This tree will reach a height of 40 feet in 10 years so we shall have some time to enjoy it.