Question
Hi Tom, I live in central California and have what I believer are, Queen Palm Trees. We have 5 in our backyard and just a few months ago, I noticed pod like things growing from one of our trees. Then one opened and had little wheat looking seeds, was pollinated by a swarm of bees, turned into tiny rounds seeds with a black mark on them.  Then they all dropped off, into our pool of course.  Now the rest seem to be opening up.  Are these seeds to plant new palms?  Should I call someone to come and get them, as to use them? We wouldn't mind planting a few ourselves.  Quite interesting to me.  Thank you for any help you can offer. Michelle

Answer
Hi Michelle,
Thanx for your question.  Here is a link to what the Queen Palm fruit look like.  The seed is inside.

http://www.covefarms.com/images/queen_fruit_close.jpg

This is queen palm pollen from the male.  It is what you described as looking like wheat.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_i1WU_nSGwJQ/SL2byh66r_I/AAAAAAAAIpc/YQOTxQQOozQ/CIMG0008.J...

The pollen can't be planted but the resulting round, orange fruit has a seed inside that can be planted.

Here's a link to a picture of the seed.

http://realpalmtrees.com/palm-tree-store/media/catalog/product/cache/1/small_ima...

Syagrus romanzoffiana is the botannical name and all indications are that the fruit is edible but I have not tasted of it.  There are arborists who will trim the trees and clean them up for you.  Contact your local county extension agent or look in the yellow pages for tree triming or arborists.

If you want to grow the seed, harvest from the orange fruits as soon as the fruit falls to the ground.  Clean off all the pulp.  Plant 1 inch deep in a pot of good potting soil.  Keep moist and warm (above 80癋) - germination occurs from a couple of weeks to 3 months but averages about 3-4 weeks.  Gently prick out the seedlings when they are of a manageable size and transplant to separate pots.  When the plant is large enough to live on its own, tranpslant it to a warm, sunny area of the garden. Not frost hardy.  I hope this helps.
Tom