Howea fosterana - Kentia Palm

These no matter how easy TO FIND...get highest respect from even palm specialists because of the elegance they bring.
The slow growth means...large ones are very expensive.

They are really common here. Stan you would be so surprised how fast potentially they can grow. They grow fast with tons of water (almost constantly in water, wet). The ones I planted next to a down spout grew extremely fast because of all the water. It's too bad I can't keep it watered more. Very well-watered and fertilized Kentia palm can put out 10 to 12 fronds a year.

It is true large ones with a lot of trunk are very expensive; however, I have seen some really good deals on very tall Kentia palms.

They are so elegant and beautiful! They tolerate winds so well. They tolerate winds probably better than any other palm that grows well in California. I think it's because Lord Howe Island is very windy.

I think this is the reason last year when I was up in the Bay Area and in San Francisco I saw several used as street trees. I was actually shocked they were using them as street trees. It's actually, most likely one of the best palms for The City because of it wind-tolerance.

Andy,what I notice too...is they look very beautiful in wind...the fronds do this ballet like bend, the Swan thing,and they also make a flapping sound..like wings (or a flag) in very windy weather.
I once had photos of mine in a very strong wind in midday. I wish I had kept that series.

The leaflets are strong and hard and that's why they're able to withstand such strong winds.

I definitely know the sound. My many kentias in the front of the house make that noise. My largest one has a trunk almost 6' tall. It's been in the ground from a 5 gallon plant for I think 8 or almost 9 years. I have to measure how tall it is, though. It's maybe 14'.

I didnt know you had Howeas. Alright.

I have dozens of Howeas. I have 3 large ones in the ground. I got several dozen very large liners (they were 5 gallons size) for $2.00/ea. I've sold several over the years.

You see them in almost all my pics posted of the front of the house.