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Palm Trees vS Coconut Trees

Palm trees vs Coconut Trees - that is the question!

We see assorted ways the Palm Trees vs Coconut Trees question may come up. A question that pops up: Which Tree is Which?

We're here to demystify these puzzling tropical flora. Just roll on down the page for the full understanding. Or choose something specific here...

Why are you wondering?

  • Maybe you're working on an educational project. It could be your college treatise or a school science assignment. You want to Know Your Stuff before beginning! Like How Coconuts Grow.
  • Are you considering growing a palm or coconut tree? Starting With A Seed or palm seedling. (Remember - it's a long-term commitment!) Yet watching them grow well can be a satisfying experience.
  • You're wanting a major Tropical Plant in Your Backyard.
  • Or travel to a relaxing natural palm place, a Tropical Resort?

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Here at Mission: Palm Trees

Palm lovers can get info needed to ease their palm-related search tasks & worries. Enjoy our informative articles, while having fun finding what you want or need. Without unneeded shoptalk lingo & tiring endless research. We Research For You!

Several coconut palm trees with their fruits up in the crown.Cocos nucifera = Coconut Trees
Couple in the outdoors doing research for the difference of a Coconut Tree vs a Palm TreeWhat's the Difference?
Which is What?
Palm tree in the harbor at Port Douglas, Queensland AustraliaSolitary Palm Tree - No Coconuts!

Key Difference of a Palm Tree vs Coconut Tree

Let's start with an Essential Principle:

  • Not all palm trees are coconut trees
  • But all coconut trees are indeed palm trees.
  1. Coconuts grow on palm trees.

Is that surprising, or unclear? We'll explain, if you're still wondering: "Is a coconut tree a palm tree?"

Palm trees are scientifically in the plant family, Arecaceae. The coconut tree is just one palm tree species. Amidst about 2600 other palm species. Which aren't coconut palms!

Now we know Palm trees are a family of plants.

  • A Coconut Tree is one species in that large family. So yes, a coconut tree is a palm tree!
  • But yet remember: Palms Aren't True Trees. But many are tree-like, as is the coconut palm. Because of their tall trunk with a crown of leaves.
Looking up at the crown of Cocos nucifera, the Coconut Palm Tree with fruitCocos nucifera, one species in the family of Palms.

Coconut Tree vs Palm Tree Height

Think of an image of a tall, slender trunk. It's crowned with spreading green leaves!

You're envisioning that typical palm tree. Which may be a Coconut Palm, or maybe not! Each palm tree species is a story of its own. With Many Shapes or Silhouettes.

Heights go from about 6in/15cm to the Tallest Palms in the World, at 150ft+/45m+. Coconut palm trees reach a majestic height, up to 98ft/30m.

MORE PALM TREE VS COCONUT TREE COMPARISONS

A coconut palm stands out from the crowd:

  • And what About Those Palm Fronds?
  • Flowing with pinnate leaves. These fronds amazingly reach close to 20ft/6m. Sprouting from the top of a slender 1ft/30cm diameter trunk. 
  • As opposed to Fan Palms. With a different leaf pattern altogether, compared to a coconut palm's feathery fronds.
Book coverCLICK TO GET OUR FREE ILLUSTRATED PALM FROND GUIDE

Like all palms, because of How They Grow, coconut palms are known for resilience against vigorous winds. You may have seen this when watching hurricane films.

TRUE STORY!

We have first hand experience, as many have. We watched palms start to bend in 2005, as Hurricane Wilma came in. When we were in Cancun! Until they closed all the storm shutters.

palm trees begin feeling the effects of Hurricane Wilma in 2005The Front of Our Resort in Cancun as Hurricane Wilma is Only Beginning its Fury!

Why Do Palm Trees Not Grow Coconuts?

What??

As we've seen, palm trees vs coconut trees relate to each other. But were you wondering: Do all palms produce coconuts? No, most palm trees do not grow coconuts.

Only the Cocos nucifera species grows these Palm Tree Fruits. They've been cultivated for that fruit for centuries.

But growers created other forms, referred to as varieties. Trying to avoid coconut Palm Problems, like lethal yellowing. Names for some other forms are:

  • Tall Jamaican
  • Maypan
  • Green Malayan Dwarf
  • Panama Tall
  • Golden Malayan Dwarf

As coconut palms, these palm varieties all produce coconuts, too!

The Manila Dwarf palm is a variety of the Cocos nucifera palmAnother Cocos nucifera Variety - the Manila Dwarf

Palm Trees Grow Coconuts
But Only the nucifera Species 

And it gets more interesting!

The Coconut Palm is only one of many palm trees with fruit. Such as the Date Palm. Which also stands tall. Providing us with delightful clusters of sweet, chewy fruits. 

But then you have palms like the Zombie Palm. With fruits you can't eat. Although people do feed those seeds to pigs.

So, palm trees do grow fruit? Yes, it holds the seed for Growth of a Palm, with the ability to have offspring. 

Date palms growing in a commercial grove in ArizonaOur Son's Pic of Arizona Date Palm Commercial Grove
Zombie Palm Tree in Sarasota FLCalled the Zombie Palm - Zombia antillarum

How do Coconuts Grow?

What happens atop the iconic coconut palm?

Each palm produces 30 to 75 coconuts annually. They're surely liked as treats for us all!

Looking up, you'll see clusters of coconuts. A Tropical Sight to Behold! Coconuts mature over a period of around a year. Then they're ripe & ready for harvesting.

You probably know they can naturally drop to the ground! If one clunks you on the head, it's dangerous. Be aware of that. But it is rare that people are injured.

man stands beneath a Coconut Palm trying to catch the coconut as it is fallingTrying to Catch the Falling Coconut?? Be VERY Careful!

WHY DOES THIS PALM GROW A COCONUT?

Coconuts' actual purpose is enabling coconut palm reproduction. Monoecious male & female flowers appear. They're white to pale yellow. But each gender blossoms at different times on the same palm.

That way wind or insects will cross-pollinate, amidst different palm plants. This natural cross-breeding helps develop a healthier, diverse gene pool for coconut fruit.

Several coconuts with two beginning to sprout new coconut palms.Two Coconuts Sprouting New Cocos nucifera Palms

Coconut Palm Tree Uses

Coconut Palms are probably economically the most important palm of all.

When ripe, coconuts may be green, yellow or brown. The treasure is the inner chewy flesh surrounding a natural thirst-quencher: sweet coconut water.

Most palm species have versatile uses. The coconut palm's other economic uses are oil, decor, frond thatch & building timber. Even Garden Mulch! (We've used that & love it!)

Illustration from the 1800s of opened up coconuts, one with its milk, the other showing the edible meal.1880 Illustration By Michael Garnier of Opened Coconuts

Growing Coconut Palm Trees

Have a green thumb?

The coconut palm could be your new backyard resident.

  • They need warmth & full sun. The coconut palm growing zone is only 10b-11. 
  • Tolerates salty areas & some dry conditions when established.
  • Especially nice is their relatively quick growth. Although the seed itself could take up to a year to begin sprouting.
  1. Yet fruiting happens when they're as little as 3 feet tall.
Coconut has begun to sprout a new Cocos nucifera palm.Looking Inside the Coconut
A New Palm is Sprouting From the Seed

Takeaways for Palm Trees vs Coconut Trees

Now it's clear that Coconut Trees are Palm Trees. But there are other palm species, too. The tall Coconut Palm reminds us a lot of the tropics. We've seen how many uses coconut palms have.

Don't forget to make plans to relax near where Coconut Palms are growing!

We use booking.com for all our hotel & resort stays. Love their system, so we recommend it.

 

We hope your mental image of a palm trees vs coconut trees is now clear. If you have questions, though, please Send Them Over. We'll try to help.

The world of palms can seem enormous. And every member of the palm family is unique. They add value ornamentally, economically, or both.

In this diverse palm crowd, the coconut palm, the prima donna of the tropics, reigns supreme!

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