Palmetto Has Got to Go

BF, “The palmetto has got to go.”
TMF, “What?!  Why?  I like the palm tree.  It’s very Floridian”
BF, "No, it's the only tree that doesn't fit in."
TMF, "But, I don't want to rip out an old tree."

BF feels our yard has an old Florida cracker theme.  There’s a mature Satsuma, kumquat, orange, lemon and other unidentifiable citrus trees planted throughout the property.  In the front yard, there’s a big live oak and a few water oaks in the backyard.

 







 

And then there’s the lonely sabal palmetto. 

It once was known as the “Scooter Tree” because of the random Razor scooters left hanging on its trunk by the previous tenants.  BF and friends thought it was comical, I did not.  As soon as the beloved dumpster arrived, I ripped the rusty scooters off the tree and threw them into their crowded grave.

During a visit from BF's parents, BF told Calvin about his plans on getting rid of the smaller trees throughout the yard.

BF, "Yeah, TMF doesn't want to get rid of the palmetto."
Calvin, "Why? Palmettos are roach motels!"
TMF, "WHAT?!?!?"

BF pulled back a piece of the trunk and there they were…

I can’t estimate how many roaches were hanging out because I couldn’t look at the grossness. Apparently palmettos are THE hotspot convention center for roaches and their immediate and distant family members.  Yuck!

I’m so sorry Florida, but our state tree has to go.