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Native or Naturalized Sabal Minor in Tennessee ? Posted by Rob on June 11, 2025, 1:58 am This is a naturalized sabal minor palm I took as a seedling almost 25 years ago from many growing along an old country road in Quebeck, Tennessee. It was on the property of the late Mr.Charles Cole about 40 minutes SSW from where I live. Mr. Cole grew the parent plants from seed 65 years ago. While not native it is certainly what we call naturalized. What do you think: These photos below are believed to be native. These locations are near a practically old ghost town called Hornsby,Tennessee and not to far north of the Mississippi State Line in Hardeman County,TN and the Alabama State line is just as close. There are other photos of Sabal Minor growing there, along side a street near a canopy of trees and some around a mailbox or two in the area. These photos came off Google Map and there are still other photos but they are growing further west of this area and they looked like they were planted years ago but these below around an abandoned old shack seems to have some in the back near a field and growing up into old shade trees. It's possible some could have been dug up and planted around the mail boxes or electrical guide wires there. I'd love to hear what Tennessee growers or others in the south would share your opinion about these below, I would appreciate it. Thanks. Hope to post my own pics soon. Thanks https://maps.app.goo.gl/55YsomouVBfgfxTx9 https://maps.app.goo.gl/pMgG3r3WX4Cu3EDu5 https://maps.app.goo.gl/fKYSgojfCYn5Bxzj6 It's important to share native plants growing in an area where they are not known, especially to Agricultural and Educational entities for study and documentation. Then again, they could be naturalized and documentation serves no purpose.

Re: Native or Naturalized Sabal Minor in Tennessee ? Posted by Fred SC on June 11, 2025, 12:58 pm, in reply to "Native or Naturalized Sabal Minor in Tennessee ?" Rob, naturalized now in small areas. Here the Trachycarpus has naturalized in and near some plantings. Minors are native to just two counties from me. Some say they were native in southern Greenville County along the Saluda River back in Pioneer days but lands drained and farmed. With warming climate maybe they will get climate creep farther north.

Re: Native or Naturalized Sabal Minor in Tennessee ? Posted by Kevin seTN on June 11, 2025, 7:06 pm, in reply to "Native or Naturalized Sabal Minor in Tennessee ?" I've got a few of these locations saved to my maps. There are also others around that small town. A pretty awesome sight for us not native to your state folks. If I'm ever out that way, I will be making a special trip there. Winter would be best or early spring. Kevin seTN

Re: Native or Naturalized Sabal Minor in Tennessee ? Posted by alex_7b on June 11, 2025, 8:05 pm, in reply to "Native or Naturalized Sabal Minor in Tennessee ?" If they're on developed land I'd guess naturalized. If they're in a locally low, wet area, possibly naturally occurring.

Re: Native or Naturalized Sabal Minor in Tennessee ? Posted by Rob on June 11, 2025, 10:47 pm, in reply to "Re: Native or Naturalized Sabal Minor in Tennessee ?" That about sums it up Thanks Alex.

Re: Native or Naturalized Sabal Minor in Tennessee ? Posted by Rob on June 11, 2025, 10:51 pm, in reply to "Re: Native or Naturalized Sabal Minor in Tennessee ?" Thanks Kevin. For such an old tiny remote place, it is odd to see these Sabal Minors abundantly. There were some photos of an area near Cleveland, TN also (in a natural area or state park with SAND in the name) and I thought of you since your likely 10 minutes from the GA line.

Re: Native or Naturalized Sabal Minor in Tennessee ? Posted by Rob on June 11, 2025, 11:13 pm, in reply to "Re: Native or Naturalized Sabal Minor in Tennessee ?" Fred I once saw a photo of a large sabal minor frond erupting from the ground with a disheveled looking little boy apparently riding circles around it on a tricycle. It was supposedly taken somewhere in the Missouri boot hill region in the early 1900's. Due to natural disasters, agriculture, earthquakes (The Mississippi flooded and flowed north for 2 weeks in that event) etc.etc. they may have became extinct and it's said and believed by many that they once grew there but that was long ago. I believe in the extinction of plants due to the conditions I mentioned above. Im surprised Sabal Minor can't be found in the entire state of South Carolina but farming, de-forestation, drainage, and agriculture variations will have its way with nature. Thanks Fred for sharing that.

Re: Native or Naturalized Sabal Minor in Tennessee ? Posted by Kevin seTN on June 12, 2025, 8:35 am, in reply to "Re: Native or Naturalized Sabal Minor in Tennessee ?" It is odd and yet cool! I know exactly what you're talking about. Let's just say I know a friend who knows a friend. 😉 I could take you to multiple locations where Johny Palmseed has been. Kevin seTN

Re: Native or Naturalized Sabal Minor in Tennessee ? Posted by Tom in PA on June 13, 2025, 11:13 am, in reply to "Native or Naturalized Sabal Minor in Tennessee ?" Rob, the Sabal from Mr Cole is a beauty! I’d love to know if the Sabals in Hornsby are native. It’s certainly possible if they are near areas that have native populations.

Re: Native or Naturalized Sabal Minor in Tennessee ? Posted by Rob on June 13, 2025, 4:52 pm, in reply to "Re: Native or Naturalized Sabal Minor in Tennessee ?" Hi Tom, There are no recognized native palms of any type in Tennessee, only naturalized. Hornsby, TN is about 20 miles north of the Mississippi State line and about 40 miles WNW of Alabamas Lauderdale Wildlife Management Area (Where the Tennessee River flows through Northern Alabama) and its worth noting that Alligators have been seen in the river there. It's still not conclusive about the Hornsby Sabal Minors. Thanks Tom, I have at least one palm to remember Tennessee's Palm Godfather, Mr Cole because he has since past and his son turned his old home into a barn and bull dozed the property of its many many giant Needle palms, tall Windmill palms and a country roadside for about a quarter mile of Sabal Minors. Sad ending. Kevin of this forum and I took Dr. Francko and Dr. Davis (from Palms Wont Grow Here and Other Myths fame) to explore Mr. Coles estate when he was still living about 22 years ago and they were bewildered and surprised to see those palms as they had naturalized there since the JFK days. The search continues. Grazi Amico

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