Phoenix Dactylifera Zahidi
(fe-niks dak-till-lf-er-ah za-he-de)
Origin: North Africa
Full lush canopy with long tall fronds

  • Excellent for formal applications, both cold and salt tolerant.  

Applications

Zahidi dates have been successfully utilized in just about every possible application. In staggered groups, in rows lining avenues or as freestanding, very formal specimens, where Zahidis are installed, they tend to blow away everything else in sight. As natural attention getters, you cannot go wrong with these awesome specimens. Zahidi dates bring impact and formality to every job site on which they are utilized.

Zahidi canopies are much more upright in appearance then the Medjool and they tend to be slightly denser. Zahidi's are often specified where a look of organized formality is sought and where the client needs to create instant impact. Come to Groundworks and stand next to a Zahidi. Unless you just plain hate palm trees, your checkbook will be in your hand before you realize what is happening!

Environmental Behavior

  • Cold Tolerance: Zones 8b-11
  • Drought Tolerance: High
  • Salt Tolerance: High
  • Light Requirements: High
  • Wind Tolerance: Med to High
  • Soil Requirements: Adaptable
  • Moisture Tolerance: Good
  • Nutritional Req.: Moderate

Identifying Characteristics

  • Thick canopy of silvery green to dark green. Fronds tend to be more upright then in other varieties and the canopies tend to be very dense.
  • Canopy spread after one year on site will be approximately 25 feet. Wide individual leaflets create a dense appearance.
  • Average trunk caliper of 18-20 inches. The outer petiole layer is removed by hand using the "Classic Cut" harvesting method. Classic cutting yields a distinctive raised diamond shape trunk appearance that is beautiful and functional.
  • Commonly, the lower two feet of trunk has a layer of advantageous aerial roots covering it. These roots are normal and can be planted into the ground although most people prefer that we plant as high as possible as the palms are sold by size. The aerial roots are a part of the trunk and if you like, they are easily hidden with under plantings.
  • Zahidi's can grow as tall as 70 feet and even taller in the desert. Like P. Canariensis, the growth rate is very slow and is slowed further by our wet conditions. It is best to buy palms near or slightly below the size you need. After establishment, you can expect a foot of new trunk every two to four years.

Selection and Availability

In early 2011 we have reliable availability of beautiful Zahidis up to 18’ of clear trunk and a few that are even taller than that. At the present time, Zahidi's are a special order variety so if you are thinking that the formality and canopy density of the Zahdidi is perfect for your design, please give us 10 days notice and we will bring in and stock as many as necessary to allow you the ability to browse through and hand select palms that are just right for your application.