The Palm Tree by J. N. Kelly

This interesting article, by J.N. Kelly, on Palm Trees appeared in The Advocate, on June 26, 1909 (see here) The writer is, I believe, John North Kelly, but I am not sure which one. There was a John North Kelly who died at Euroa  on 1923, aged 84 and he was an engineer; you can read his obituary in The Advocate of December 20, 1923, here. He had a son also called John North Kelly, who was at one time Shire Engineer at Euroa, he died in 1949, aged 75;  you can read his obituary in The Advocate of August 25, 1949, here.

The article celebrates Palm Trees generally and discusses the Palm Tree in connection to Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Easter) honours the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem when palm branches were strewn in his path. Thus on Palm Sunday,  palms are used to decorate churches or carried in holy processions. Mr Kelly suggests that the original palm, which gave us the Palm Sunday name, was the Phœnix dactylifera or the date palm. He also suggests that people visit the Botanic Gardens in Melbourne to see the different palms, gives hints for growing palms and encourages people, especially Catholics to plant palms, if for no other reason then that would ensure a plentiful supply of real palm branches for our churches. 

The Palm Tree. Some remarks on the Palm Trees and its Varieties.

By J. N. Kelly.

The growing taste for the cultivation of the palm by private persons and public bodies in and about Melbourne is not only remarkable, but commendable, and it has occurred to me that as this is the season for tree planting, a few remarks on the palm, even from an amateur, might not be out of place, and would, perhaps, tend to create or awaken a desire on the part of country people, particularly Catholics, to emulate Melbourne citizens in that direction.

It is pretty generally admitted that of all the plants of the vegetable kingdom none can compare with the graceful palm. The roughest configuration and poorest vegetation are beautified by a judicious interspersion of this magnificent plant - the prince of sylvan scenery; and we need go no further than the Melbourne Botanic Gardens for a confirmation of this assertion.

Mr Kelly suggests a visit to the Melbourne Botanic Gardens to view the varieties of palms. 

 Botanical Gardens, Melbourne, c. 1890s. Photographer: Adam Rechberg.

State Library of Victoria image H2009.48/11

In Arabia, Ceylon, Persia and Syria, and many other countries the admiration of the palm borders on veneration. Catholics understand very well why they respect and love the palm, they know that when Jesus was approaching Jerusalem the people went out to meet Him, and spread their garments and

palm branches in the way to honour Him.

Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all refer to that memorable event. The three first-named are not specific as to the kind of branches used on that occasion, but St. John is very clear (John xii., 12, 13.):
12. "And on the next day a great multitude that was come to the festival day, when they had heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem:"
13. "Took branches of palm tree and went forth to meet Him ; and cried : Hosanna! Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel."

In regard to the species of the palm referred to by St. John, it is popularly supposed to be the "date palm" (Phœnix dactylifera) and which is (I understand) the palm sanctioned or approved by the Catholic Church for use on Palm Sundays throughout the world - if possible. But as it is not possible in many places to obtain the real palm, substitutes have to be used. Speaking for myself, I may say that I never saw a palm tree in Ireland, yet I know that branches of the Irish yew tree were used as substitutes on Palm Sunday. It is quite likely that the palm may have been cultivated in stone houses, and such places in Ireland, England, and Scotland.

In Australia we very rarely see a palm branch in a country church. I understand that it is common
enough to see great quantities of the branch of the date-palm (Phœnix dactylifera) sent every year from Syria to Rome and other large cities in Southern Europe to be blessed and given to the people, and used for decorating the churches
"In Rome upon Palm Sunday,
They bear true palms.
The Cardinals bow reverently,
And sing old psalms.
Elsewhere those, psalms are sung
'Mid olive branches,
The holly branch supplied their places
Among the avalanches.
More northern climes must be content
With the sad willow.
—Gothe.

It appears that the northern limit of the palm in Europe is 43 degrees; that parallel would pass through the north of Spain, south of France, and further east through Rome. In Asia and America the limit would be, about 34 degrees of north latitude; that parallel would pass through about the middle of the United States, thence north of the Canary Islands, and further east through the north of India. The palm limit in South America is through Chili, or about 36 degrees of south latitude. In Africa, 34 degrees, south also; and in Australia and New Zealand, about 38 degrees. In Australia its northern limit would be, of course, Torres Strait.

The palm is at its best in Arabia, Ceylon, Persia, Sumatra, the Philippines, Borneo, Java, and New Guinea. At the Melbourne Botanic Gardens, under the able curatorship of Mr. Guilfoyle, may be seen specimen palms indigenous to various countries, all of them looking remarkably healthy, although so far away from their habitat. Gentlemen in the country desirous of beautifying and giving a tropical effect to their homes would do well, before sending to the nurseries for supplies, to pay a visit to these beautiful gardens ; for, there they will see nearly all that is lovely in the vegetable kingdom gathered together from different parts of the world for man's pleasure, guidance, and profit.

Mr Kelly suggests a visit to the Melbourne Botanic Gardens to view the varieties of palms. 

Botanical Gardens, Melbourne, c. 1910. State Library of Victoria image H2009.48/11

Phœnix, a name given to this genus of palm by Theopheastus over 2300 years ago, are all fairly hardy and well adapted for beautifying the garden and lawn. When these palms are from six to ten to fifteen years old, they present a pleasing and elegant appearance; their branches curve so gently and gracefully that it would be very difficult to find the centres from which to draw them, with the best instruments, as they appear to the eye.

The Phœnix Dactylifera (date palm) of Arabia, Persia, and Syria is of no commercial value from a date-producing point of view in Australia; but, associated, as it has been, with the religious services of the Catholic Church for about nineteen hundred years, it is, and always will be, thought highly of and appreciated by Catholics.

The Phœnix Rupicola, Phœnix Canariensis, Phœnix Sylvestris, Phœnix Tenius, and Phœnix Reclinata all present a very beautiful appearance in the Botanic Gardens. I prefer the Rupicola, Canariensis, and Reclinata, of the Phœnix tribe, for giving tropical effect to the garden and lawn. Chamæops, from Chamai, on the ground, or dwarf; and ehops, a bush, established by Linnaeus, is found further from the Equator than any other palm.

The Livistona Australis, or cabbage palm, of Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, a fan palm, having flat leaves, is also thought very highly of, but is better suited for the lawn than the garden.

With regard to the cultivation of the palm, a few words may be said. Fairly sheltered positions should be selected;  ordinary black soil - not too stiff or rich loam is needed - which must be well trenched, say not less than thirty (30) inches deep, and from 4 to 6 feet in diameter. If the ground has not natural drainage, sloping, say, 1 in 10, or thereabouts, a small drain should be made from the bottom of the shallow side of the pit, extending outwards to the grass, and then filled with small stones or large gravel. This trench
should, and will, suffice to properly drain the pit - to keep stagnant water away, which the palm cannot tolerate. Should the ground be level, or nearly so, and difficult and expensive to drain, it will be better to bank up two (2) to three (3) feet high, by about 6 feet diameter: surround with large stones to keep the earth in place, then plant the palm in the centre. The mounds and palms will look A1 in a few years.

I now wish to make a suggestion, which would I think, have the effect, if carried out, of improving, still more, the gardens and grounds of all Catholic churches, presbyteries, convents, schools, and Catholic homes in the country, and about the cities and towns as well. 

The grounds and gardens of many such places are already very nicely laid out and planted with beautiful trees, shrubs and flowers; nevertheless, I would like to say, do not let this planting season pass away before ordering a suitable supply of the palm tree for planting purposes. In the course of a few years these palms will improve the appearance of the gardens, lawns, and grounds immensely. We will then have a plentiful supply of real palm branches for our churches; we will then have a real Palm Sunday every year, with children carrying palm branches (as they did at Reading, in England, lately), and singing "Hosanna! Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord—the King of Israel."