Vancouver is counting palm trees now

[yvr girl]

Bit of history. Victoria, BC's capital counts EVERY flower in the city once a year. They publish the number, and use it for 'bragging rights.'

Vancouver has decided to count palm trees. (Yes, we do have them.) I know why the rest of the country resents us. We do sort of push our mild climate in their faces.

[HEyHEY]

1. I'm from Vancouver and I resent them - we don't need those ugly things

When we have cedar, pine, juniper, douglas fur and a host of native trees that are much nicer.

[CanuckAmok]

2. Clearly, you are of the native minority who prefers to drink from...

glasses, rather than hollowed-out coconuts.

Philistine!

[HEyHEY]

3. You must admit it man - they have no place here

[yvr girl]

6. Not true

They just did a bit on them on the weather channel.

We are the only place in Canada where it doesn't get too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter. They like moderate climates.

They say in the Mediterranean that anywhere you see palm trees, it's a good place for people to live. There is abundant water and the climate is kind.

----

Saturday night and yvr girl is watching the Weather Network. Ack.

[yvr girl]

4. I took some pictures of snow-covered palms in January

I could use one of those big tropical drinks right now.

(I decided against the beach - too late.)

[depakid]

5. I've never seen a palm tree in B.C.!

at least not outdoors. I have a friend in Portland who's a miraculous green thumb- the woman can spit on the ground and flowers will grow. She's got a bannana palm- the only one in town, I think. It's in a little 'microclimate" next to her house. How it survives cold freezes, I don't know.. but it does....

So, I guess it's possible you've got some palms... let us know how many after the count. :)

[yvr girl]

7. We've got lots

The blvd along English Bay is littered with them for starters.

[depakid]

8. Guess I've never been down there!

I'll have to keep my eyes open next time I'm up that way!

So- it's true what they say- Vancouver and Victoria are in the "bannana belt."

[yvr girl]

10. For sure.

Especially Victoria.

I would say that Seattle gets more snow than we do.

[CanuckAmok]

9. Lots and lots in highrise courtyards, too...at the airport...

And along Beach Avenue. Even Nanaimo has some in a public park along the Island Highway (they have to be boxed for the winter, though, because the Island wind can freeze them).

[KT2000]

11. How about a banana tree

on Washington's Olympic Peninsula. OK - it was inside a house but the house did not have heat most of the time. It even had edible bananas!

Then again - how about frogs coming out of hibernation in February and bees the size of small birds in February.

Somethings going on here.