ExclusivePalm trees symbolize California’s tropical climate, but only one palm is native.

Palm trees swaying in the breeze on a warm, sunny day is a picture which represents Southern California perfectly. The year-round temperate climate, beautiful beaches, and popular tourist attractions make SoCal seem like a paradise to visitors from other states and countries. A big part of this exotic appeal is the palm trees themselves. However, not all palm trees which are spread throughout California are native to the state. In fact, just one palm tree, the California fan palm, is naturally found in California’s desert areas.
Other varieties of palm were first brought to California over two hundred years ago by Spanish missionaries. They brought Mexican palm trees to California for use in religious services, particularly around Palm Sunday. After the Gold Rush, developers wanted to entice homesteaders from back east to move to California. To do so, they advertised California as a lush, fertile paradise, and palm trees were used to convey this image. Today, experts debate whether palm trees are still a good option for Californian landscaping.