There is something about a palm tree that stirs thoughts and images in my mind and feelings. Maybe it is the silouette on the horizon, or the thought of lying in a hammock between two coconut palms. The gentle breeze on your skin is so refreshing.
I can remember a time in my life when there were no palm trees. After returning from that cold climate I began to really appreciate what I had always taken for granted. The Florida Cabbage Palms which I had always considered a weed began to take on a respected place in the landscape.
I have become adept at growing plants from seed and also collecting seedlings and transplanting them. It is rewarding to watch them grow into mature trees. The past two winters in Florida have been devastating to my palm collection. I lost too many of my favorites including Cuban Royals, Foxtails, Manilas and Triangles just to name a few. I am taking my palm collection to someplace that will not ever have a cold weather problem. That place is sunny, tropical Jamaica. I will keep you updated on the progress of that undertaking. This series of articles will be about these palms.
They will contain facts and more about these versatile plants. 
Foxtail Palm-Wodyetia bifurcata
Family: Arecoideae
Origin: Northern Australia
Cold Tolerance: 28 degrees F minimum
Salt Tolerance: Moderate
Drought Tolerance: Moderate
Size: 30 feet
The Foxtail Palm is fairly new on the palm tree scene. Less than two decades ago this palm was barely known in the rest of the world. Today it is one of the most popular and fastest growing palms in the world. They are very recognizable by even palm novices because of the bushy foxtail appearance of the mature frond.
Native to the remote northwestern part of Australia, this palm was rarely seen by anyone except aboriginal natives. Once the word got out about this beautiful tree, the race was on to collect all the seeds that could be collected. The problem with this is that this practice could decimate the native population. There was no longer much of a wild population left. Fortunately the collected seeds quickly spread throughout the Palm and Landscaping industry worldwide. The overwhelmanding demand and popularity of this palm has guaranteed its survival and so far prosperity
The Foxtail grows quite rapidly and in only a few years you can have a wonderful specimen that will tremendously enhance your zone 9-10 landscape. I say this to warn that without proper protection a freeze of any length can severely damage or kill your palm. I learned that in St Petersburg Florida, which is borderline zone 9. Most years you can get away with planting tropical palms, but sooner or later it is going to get you. It always happens. It is nature. Where the palms were unprotected from the north winds there was an 80% mortality rate. Whereas in the protected fenced in back yard (this is known as a micro-climate) there was a hundred percent survival rate of all the vulnerable species.
Wherever this palm is used it is immediately recognized as a favorite. It is useful in many landscape situations. As a specimen plant it has few peers. It makes a wonderful street planting whether in mass or in spectacular stately rows. This clean looking palm quickly became one of my personal favorites. I love seeing a Foxtail laden with thousands of bright red egg sized seeds. 
They are very easy to maintain once they have become established. I can show you how to maintain them easily. Go to www.gardeningdirections.comfor palm care tips and instructions via video. It has a solitary, self-cleaning trunk with smooth green crownshaft, which makes it a very clean and easy maintenance chore.. Trunk is slender, dark grey to light grey, closely ringed, and slightly swollen at the base. Proper watering and fertilizing techniques will net you good results as these hardy palms really will thrive with some good TLC.