177. Southsea Palm
That’s Southsea, Hants, not the south Pacific, but this tree definitely has a tropical vibe.
Like other south-coast resorts such as Eastbourne and Torquay, Southsea has gone in for palm trees, and they are doing very well. Canary palms have been planted at regular intervals along Clarence Parade on the edge of Southsea Common, alluding to the town’s temperate, holiday feel. Rising steadily, with a metre or two of clear trunk, my favourite is opposite high-rise St Martin’s House.
Species details
Canary Palm
Phoenix canariensis
Where to find it
Clarence Parade, Southsea, Portsmouth PO5 2EZ
///quite.defeat.forest | 50.781546, -1.085956
Other palms
Happy New Year!
I hope 2026 is being kind to you, but if you’re feeling the January gloom, this palm tree is a reminder that spring is round the corner…
This January, I’m off to a rather slow start, but over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing plenty of news including events I’ll be speaking at and dates for spring tree tours. My next outing is on the 24th February when I’ll be taking part in Bowl of Chalk’s Curistorian Club. It’s sold out unfortunately, but I’m told there is a waiting list. More here.
Where exactly is “Southsea Located?’ Oh, I guess I could Google it, but I’d rather a real person explaining that.
That line about alluding to holiday feel through deliberate planting hits different when you realize how much urban greenery is actualy designed nostalgia. Palm trees in Hampshire arent just surviving—they're performing a vibe that rewrites local identity. The mention of spring tree tours reminds me how seasonal outings transform passive appreciation into active seeking. Worth seeing in person I bet.