Palm Trees are tall plants in the palm family (Arecaceae). This family contains 181 genera with around 2,600 species, many of tree height but also some shorter and even some vining palm plants. Though primarily associated with tropical climates, palms can also live in climates ranging from rainforest to desert.

Palm trees are a type of monocot. Monocots constitute about 27% of flowering plant species. Other monocots include grass, sedges, rushes, onions, lilies, and cluster-lilies. Few monocots reach tree height other than palm trees, banana trees, bamboo, and agave. The palm family was the first modern family of monocots to appear in the fossil record, arising about 80 million years ago, during the late Cretaceous period. By 60 million years ago, during the Paleocene epoch, many of the modern genera of palms had developed and were much more widespread than their range today.

Palm Avenue and Palm Way in Woodland are both named for palm trees.

Arecoid Palms

The Arecoideae subfamily is the largest subfamily of palms, containing over 100 genera.

Queen Palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana) is from South America and grows about 50 feet tall. It produces edible dates that consist of a hard nut surrounded with a thin layer of orange, fibrous, sticky flesh. The nut's flavor is somewhere between plum and banana flavors. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. Queen Palm is ranked 6 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a moderate tendency to cause hay fever. It is planted as a street tree on Clover Street.

Coryphoid Palms

The Coryphoideae subfamily is the second-largest subfamily of palms but contains most of the palm tree species commonly seen in Woodland.

Mediterranean Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis) is a slow-growing, clumping palm from the Mediterranean region. It grows about 10 to 20 feet tall and spreads from an underground rhizome to produce multiple stems growing from a single base. It is very drought-tolerant once established. Mediterranean Fan Palms are usually either male or female, but occasional Mediterranean Fan Palms bear both male and female flowers. Only male flowers produce pollen, but the male trees are ranked 9 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a tendency to cause severe hay fever. They shed pollen all year long. Mediterranean Fan Palm is planted as a street tree on Oak Avenue.

Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix canariensis) is an invasive weed from the Canary Islands, off the coast of Africa. It usually grows 30 to 70 feet tall, occasionally over 100 feet tall. Canary Island Date Palms tend to grow in clusters that form a dense canopy that excludes light from reaching beneath them, leading to a loss of native plants. Canary Island Date Palms are usually either male or female. Only male flowers produce pollen, but the male trees are ranked 9 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a tendency to cause severe hay fever. They shed pollen all year long. U.C. Davis provides information on how to eradicate invasive palm trees.

The City of Woodland has knowingly and intentionally planted Canary Island Date Palm at City Park, Pioneer Park, Woodland City Cemetery, and Woodland Public Library, and also as a street tree on Palm Avenue and Main Street. In fact, the Urban Forest Resource Analysis published by the City of Woodland in 2018 indicated that the city was knowingly and intentionally maintaining 61 of these invasive weeds in Woodland.

Medjool Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is a slow-growing palm from the Middle East. It can grow about 100 feet tall and can live about 100 years. It is widely cultivated for its edible dates. Medjool Date Palms are usually either male or female. Only male flowers produce pollen, but the male trees are ranked 9 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating a tendency to cause severe hay fever. They shed pollen all year long. Medjool Date Palm is planted as a street tree on Main Street.

California Fan Palm (Washingtonia filifera) is native to the Los Angeles area in southern California. It grows about 50 to 70 feet tall. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. California Fan Palm is ranked 3 out of 10 on the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale, indicating that it is fairly unlikely to cause hay fever. It is planted in City Park, Pioneer Park, Woodland City Cemetery, and Woodland Public Library. It is also planted as a street tree on 1st Street, Carnegie Way, College Street, Court Street, Dead Cat Alley, North Street, Oak Avenue, and Pendegast Street.

Mexican Fan Palm (Washingtonia robusta) is an invasive weed from Baja California. It grows 80 to 100 feet tall. Mexican Fan Palms tend to grow in clusters that form a dense canopy that excludes light from reaching beneath them, leading to a loss of native plants. Additionally, the dead fronds can create a fire hazard. Male and female flowers are borne on the same tree. U.C. Davis provides information on how to eradicate invasive palm trees. The City of Woodland has knowingly and intentionally planted Mexican Fan Palm in Pioneer Park and Woodland City Cemetery and also as a street tree on 4th Street. In fact, the Urban Forest Resource Analysis published by the City of Woodland in 2018 indicated that the city was knowingly and intentionally maintaining nine of these invasive weeds in Woodland.