Q&AZ: Why are there so many palm trees in Phoenix?

When you think of the landscape of Phoenix, you might think first of cactuses, mountains — and probably palm trees.

KJZZ's Q&AZ project asked: Why are there so many palms trees in Phoenix when they don't provide any shade?

The story begins almost 150 years ago.

According to the city of Phoenix, the very first palm tree in the Valley goes back to 1879 and a man known as Alexander Lemon, one of the first attorneys in Maricopa County. He took a trip to the Sandwich Islands — aka Hawaii — and brought back some seeds for palm trees.

A friend of his, Clara Evans, planted one of them in her front yard on Monroe Street, and the exotic tree that grew from it became a local destination for tourists. Phoenix’s official historian, Steve Schumacher, talked about it in a video from the city.

“She was always on the list of things to see and take a photograph of was this original palm tree in her yard," said Schumacher.

Pretty soon, having palm trees on your property became a sign of prominence, said Schumacher. Home developers even used them as a way to attract wealthy buyers.

According to the University of Arizona School of Plant Science, just one palm tree species — California Fan Palm (Washingtonia filifera) — is native to the state. It is found in the southwestern part of Arizona in the Kofa Mountains.

The Show

Is it time to bid a frond farewell to Phoenix's palm trees? This LA Times writer says yes

Lauren Gilger, Sativa Peterson

As part of the summer series Throwing Shade, The Show wondered — why does metro Phoenix have so many palm trees? And, is it time to plant something else?

Listen • 8:32