Care Instructions for Canary Island Trees

Canary Island date palms make impressive street trees.

The subtropical Canary Islands lie off the northwest coast of Africa. A popular tourist destination, these islands have contributed two trees to American landscapes. The Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis) is a massive palm often used as a street tree in California and Florida. The tall Canary Island pine (Pinus canariensis) is suitable for large landscapes, both residential and commercial. The cultural needs of these two plants differ.

Things You'll Need

• Palm tree fertilizer
• Pruners or loppers

Instructions

Canary Island Date Palms

1. Plant Canary Island date palms in full sun in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant zones 9a through 11. These palm trees suffer damage when temperatures drop to 20 degrees Fahrenheit and recovery is slow.

2. Plant these palms only in well-drained soil. They're very tolerant of soil type and pH but must have good drainage.

3. Feed Canary Island palms regularly with a fertilizer specially formulated for palm trees. Follow package directions carefully as to the amount and timing of applications.

4. Water infrequently but deeply, to encourage the roots to grow far down into the soil. While drought-tolerant once established, Canary Island palms grow best in moist soil.

5. Prune off old fronds that are no longer ascending or horizontal. Pruning off upright fronds interferes with the plant's growth and health.

6. Mulch around the bottom of the palm to prevent damaging the bark with lawn mowers. Insects are more likely to infest trees with injured bark.

7. Inspect the bark and fronds occasionally for signs of disease and insect infestation. Insects that damage the fronds include palm leaf skeletonizers and scales. The palms are also susceptible to Ganoderma fungus, which causes the bottom of the trunk to rot. Avoid wetting the trunk when you irrigate the tree. Infected trees must be removed, as no chemical control exists for this fungus.

Canary Island Pines

1. 

   Canary Island pines grow up to 100 feet tall.

   Choose large specimens rather than small ones, since Canary Island pines are slow-growing when young and after transplanting. Tree growth rate increases as the tree ages.

2. Plant Canary Island pines in full sun in plant zones 9 through 11. Avoid sites with reflected light from concrete or asphalt. Canary Island pines are tolerant of a wide range of soil types.

3. Water Canary island pines regularly, as these trees require moist soil. They are not drought-tolerant.

4. Remove lower limbs to raise the canopy, if desired. Otherwise, Canary Island pines need no pruning.

5. Inspect your Canary Island pine regularly for signs of insects or diseases. Green aphids are common in the spring but rarely cause damage. Other pests to watch out for include spider mites and scales. Drought stress causes twig and branch dieback in late summer and fall.

Tips & Warnings

• The Canary Island pine is tolerant of desert conditions if kept well-watered.

• Newly planted or injured Canary Island date palms are especially susceptible to damage from the giant palm weevil. Spray them with an insecticide approved for use against this insect as a precaution.

References

• University of Florida IFAS Extenson; Phoenix Canariensis; Edward F. Gilman, et al.; December 2006
• University of Arizona Cooperative Extension: Phoenix Canariensis
• University of Arizona Campus Arboretum: Pinus Canariensis
• Arizona State University: Pinus Canariensis