Overall height is the full height of the palm, from the ground to the top of the crown. Clear trunk is the bare trunk you can see below the fronds. Knowing both numbers helps you picture the palm in your yard and compare sizes with confidence.
What Overall Height Means
Overall height is the total length from the base of the palm to its highest point. It includes the trunk and the crown of fronds. When you look at a palm in a field, the overall height is the number that tells you how tall the palm will stand once it is planted.
Overall height is a useful number for planning space. It tells you how the palm will fit under power lines, next to a roofline, or beside a window. Measure the space before you pick a size.
What Clear Trunk Means
Clear trunk is the bare part of the palm, from the ground up to where the fronds begin. A palm with a longer clear trunk shows more of its trunk and sits higher above the ground. A palm with a shorter clear trunk has fronds closer to the soil.
Clear trunk matters for the look you want. Some homeowners prefer a tall, open trunk that stands out in a landscape. Others prefer a fuller look with fronds closer to the ground. Think about the view from the front door and the patio before you choose.
Reading Our Size Range
Our Sylvester palms range from 7 feet of overall height up to 9 feet of clear trunk. Some specimens go well beyond that, with overall heights over 20 feet. The right size depends on your site, your budget for delivery and planting, and the look you want. Ask us about the sizes that fit your plan.
Two palms can share the same overall height but look very different. One may have a long clear trunk, while the other has a shorter trunk and a fuller crown. Compare both numbers before you decide.
Specimen and Florida Fancy Grades
Our palms are graded as specimen and Florida Fancy. When you request a quote, mention the grade you have in mind so we can match your request to the right palms in the field.
Measure Before You Call
Before you request a quote, take a few simple measurements. Note the open space where the palm will go. Measure the distance to the house, the driveway, and any overhead lines. Write down the planting address, because delivery is planned around the site.
- The open width and depth of the planting area
- Distance to buildings, walls, and fences
- Overhead lines, eaves, and tree branches
- Access for a trailer or flatbed on the street or driveway
- The planting address for delivery
Visit the Farm to Compare Sizes
Seeing a palm in person helps. Customers can visit the farm in Vero Beach, walk the rows, and pick the exact palm they want. Call ahead before you come so we can plan for your visit. Standing next to a palm gives you a clear sense of its height and trunk in a way a number on a page cannot.
Jerry meets customers in the field. Bring your measurements and photos of the planting area. Walking the site together is a good way to match the palm to the space.
Delivery and Planting Basics
Delivery is available for every order. Our crew root-wraps the palm in the field. A loader lifts it onto a trailer or flatbed, and it goes to your site. Plant the palm as soon as possible after delivery. If planting must wait, keep the root wrap on and set the palm in a shady, well-ventilated spot.
When planting, dig the hole about twice as wide as the root ball. Dig it only as deep as the palm was grown. Never bury the trunk. Backfill with a mix of soil and gravel, pack out air pockets, build a soil dam, and soak the root area fully. Water the palm daily or every other day for the first two weeks.
Feeding and Long-Term Care
Fertilize in spring, summer, and early fall with a slow-release fertilizer. Look for one that contains manganese, magnesium, potassium, iron, and copper sulfates. Once the palm is established, the Sylvester palm is often described as cold-hardy, wind tolerant, and low maintenance. Regular feeding and proper planting still matter.
Questions to Ask When You Request a Quote
- Which overall height fits the space I measured?
- How much clear trunk will the palm show at planting?
- What grade is best for the look I want?
- What are the delivery steps for my address?
- What planting and watering schedule should I follow?
Delivery pricing is not published online. Call us with your planting address and we will give you a quote.
Talk With Sylvestris Tree Farms
Sylvestris Tree Farms grows field-grown Sylvester date palms on our farm in Vero Beach, Florida. We grow Phoenix sylvestris Robusta, also called the Sylvester palm, India date palm, or silver date palm. We serve Vero Beach and Indian River County, and delivery is available for every order. Explore our Sylvester date palms and read our guide on how many palms fit your property to plan your planting.
Ready to choose your palm? Call 772-778-3006 with your planting address to request a quote. We will help you match the size, grade, and delivery plan to your site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between overall height and clear trunk?
Overall height is the full height from the ground to the top of the crown. Clear trunk is the bare trunk below the fronds. Both numbers help you picture how the palm will look.
How do I measure a site for a Sylvester palm?
Measure the open width and depth of the planting area, the distance to buildings and overhead lines, and the access for a trailer or flatbed. Write down the planting address too.
Can I visit the farm before I order?
Yes. Customers can visit the farm in Vero Beach and walk the rows. Call ahead so we can plan for your visit.
How soon should I plant after delivery?
Plant as soon as possible. If planting must wait, keep the root wrap on and store the palm in a shady, well-ventilated spot.