6 Palmettos; Morris Island; 4' X 5'; acrylic

Yes, we love our Palmettos; Palmetto is in the Palm family and one is not incorrect (sorry for the double negative) in saying, "those are nice palms lining Lockwood BLVD". However there are 2600 species of palms, so one is not being very descriptive when you call our Palmetto a palm. 

Unfortunately, our Palmetto has become TOO popular and palmettos are being yanked our of their homes and transported anywhere. Many die in the process of transplantation yet people claim, "we have lots and lots of these trees!" Well, we used to have lots of ducks and whales, but no longer. Just like whales, palmettos are not easily replaceable. Palmettos do not have an identifiable trunk until they're about 25 years old! Those palmettos they are harvesting are 50-75 years old! These are not easy to replace, therefore these palmetto harvesters aren't putting seeds in the ground as they would be long dead prior to getting a similar replacement.

The correct name for a palmetto is to call it Sabal palmetto to give it the real scientific title. The Carolinas are home , also, to the Sabal minor which never gets a significant trunk. 

The Palmetto became our state tree following the Battle of Fort Sullivan on June 28th, 1776 when a sand and palmetto fort withstood the mighty onslaught of the world's most powerful naval war machines of that era as the thousands of projectiles shot at the fort were neutralized by "sinking into the palmetto logs", therefore causing no significant harm. I'm not sure who made that ridiculous story, but that's NOT what happened! The logs held the sand, providing means to make a "wall of sand" and the bombs just disappeared into the sand by the thousands. The palmettos DID save the fort, our novice army, and our colony from subjugation by Sir Peter Parker, Sir Cornwallis, and Sir Henry Clinton, nevertheless

These palmettos are safe at present from the harvesters as their home is at the north end of Morris Island, near the South Jetty. They are NOT safe from the wind, the tide and erosion. They are tall and therefore powerfully strong and hardy. The amount of salt air, salt water, and terrific wind they must endure is shocking. By their height, they've survived many a hurricane right at the interface.

This scene at dusk was beautifully calm and lovely as the breeze was gentle and the surf peaceful.