Washingtonia filifera has a thick and sturdy trunk, heavy leaves, graceful long clusters of fruit on long stalks, is fibrous and, in nature, is surrounded by a thick "skirt". The slimmer and taller growing Washingtonia robusta's leaves and fronds are more open and fruiting branches are often blown off the tree , but both have shiny dark green leaves that seem to create an aura of their own when in bright sunlight.
Interestingly, filifera seem to pop up wherever there is water in the garden and no wonder! I have seen these trees filled with California Mountain bluebirds feasting on the fruit and have found coyote scat filled with the seeds.
The trees do best with moderate water. We feed ours once a year, in summer and trim them after the fruiting season ends. We do not let ours develop skirts, but trim the leaves off as they die. As they grow taller, a professional trimming service will probably need to be hired to do the work. After one twelve foot mishap, no more ladders for us! New seedlings are easy to dig up for transplant.
There are many native stands of filifera in Anza Borrego Desert State Park...one of the most popular trails is located above Palm Canyon Campground. That cluster of trees has experienced both fires and floods, yet renews itself as it has always done through though centuries. You have to admire Washingtonia filifera...one very tough species!
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