Facts About the Coconut Palm

Coconut palm tree.

Coco nucifera, otherwise known as the coconut palm tree, is one of the most widely recognized trees in the world. Symbolic of tropical paradises, the sight of this tree conjures up images of sandy beaches with soft breezes. Although it is not native to the continental United States, the coconut palm can be grown in the subtropical portions of the country.

Geography

Although the area where the coconut palm originated cannot be pinpointed, the majority of botanists believe it to be in the region of the Indian Ocean. Today this tree can be found growing worldwide in the tropical regions, having been disbursed by nature thanks to the ability of the coconuts to float to far off shores. Coconut palm trees found inland are the result of humans planting them.

Growing Conditions

Coconut palm trees are not cold tolerant and will not survive temperatures below 18 degrees Fahrenheit. To do well, they need to be in a frost-free environment at all times. Due to their tropical, coastal native habitat, they have a high tolerance for salinity. Their moisture needs are low, requiring only 20 inches of rain per year. They grow well in a variety of different soil textures and they need approximately 60 inches of soil depth for their roots to develop properly.

Description

A mature coconut palm tree has a height range of 80 to 100 feet with leaves that may be as much as 20 feet long crowing the top. The trunk, which is singular and unbranched, is rarely straight but rather leans due to the weight of the fruit, soil instability and even the wind. The tree produces both female and male flowers beginning around 4 to 5 years of age. Shortly after flowering, nuts appear. While the nuts reach full size in about six months, they need nearly a year to mature. If conditions are ideal, as many as 75 nuts may appear, although 25 is more the norm.

Features

Each tree has only one bud or growing point, which is located at the tip. This heart, as it is known, is roughly the size of a human forearm and consists of immature leaves, which are yellow-white in color and packed tightly together. Removing this will kill the tree. The unopened flowers have a sheath surrounding them that resembles burlap. The husk of the fruit, called coir, is made up of fibers tightly packed together. The seed has an inner shell that has a fine grain and is hard.

Uses

The coconut palm tree provides many useful items, both food and otherwise. Some of the items produced by the fruit include coconut water, which can be used medicinally; coconut oil, used for cooking and in many food products; and coconut milk, a component of prepared foods. Using the tree in landscaping is popular worldwide, and the leaves are sometimes used as brooms or brushes or as material for fences and roofs. Approximately 17 billion nuts are harvested worldwide each year (as of 2010).

References

• Union County College: Coconut Palm
• Garden Guides: Coconut Palm
• Coconut Palm Tree