Erik's Cloud 9

Okay, I need something cleared up. Can ANYONE tell me about the Palm tree in Chaska, just north of the "bend" on Highway 41. It's on the west side of the road in the entrance to a business. Last year when I first saw it I did a double take and nearly drove into a ditch. I thought, "Wow. That palm isn't gonna make it thru the winter" thinking it was surely a fresh planting - or transplant. Karen Scullin and I have even spoken about it in wonder.

I thought WHY would anyone plant a Palm tree in MINNESOTA. it's a pure and evil case of palmocide - that's the killing of a plam tree. But get this. Someone must know something - and perhaps it's been there for quite some time - doing just FINE in the winter. I think this because about a week ago I drove passed it - seeking it out to gather its post-winter status. Sure enough - dead as a tropical doornail! Brown and wilted, it looked like an unfortunate victim of the latitude. BUT WAIT A MINUTE! I just drove past it 3 days ago and it looked GREAT. It was tall, green, swaying in the breeze like a good palm should. What happened? I'm truly perplexed by this one. I even drove back to see if there was fresh dirt around the bottom of it indicating it folly to a rich person who plants a new living palm in the same space year after year. I DUNNO!!!

So, help me out Mr. or Mrs. Twin Cities. What's up. Is it the same palm that made it thru the winter? How did it recover so quickly? Really, I don't want this to be the cause of sleepless nights. Contact me with a comment if you know the "bark" on this tree!!! 

From Cloud9,

Erik