how about an Arbutus Marina "Strawberry Tree" vs a Podacarpus? This is a little "wider" -- more of a tree than the Podocapus. Would be about 10ft from pool--- will that be a problem? How would the two look together--- I have two neighbor's windows to block--- I could put the thinner podo 10 ft from pool, and thicker Arbutus 15ft from edge--- Tropical theme, I still want some clumping bamboo further from the pool, know about the bamboo droppings. Thanks--- newbie, my first attempts at Latin.

It seems to do well without too many leafs falling into the pool; very minimal with beautiful white flowers that my dog likes to snack on. I'm very pleased with the decision :) thanks to everyone!

Thanks Eric that info on foxtail is very helpful. I need every little nuance to help me in identifying the palms. Susie, I love those palms, I really don't need an 80' tree! I had a queen many years ago at another home I was fond of, it was probably 15-20' tall and that was plenty. We used to decorate it for christmas. I have seen alot of foxtails on the water but the more I look for them, the more I see in other places around town soooooo I think I might try to grow some. Your palms are just beautiful.

Royalpaulm, Thanks for the info on the winter weather in Clearwater/St. Pete. I think that couple of degrees difference is why when I was there last (about 7 years ago) I saw mature Malayans in St. Pete, but only saw a couple of mature Jamaican talls in Clearwater. Over here in Texas, the Mexican tall seems to be our best coconut for the Valley since it is hardy to 27F, but there are a lot of Malayans being planted in Brownsville, Port Isabel, and South Padre, when they are available that is. So far, I have only seen developing coconuts on a couple of Mexican talls over here, but as long as the winters stay mild in the Valley, the Malayans should have nuts in a year or two. It seems like the nurseries in the Valley have only recently started carrying Malayans, which may account for the lack of coconuts on trees already planted (many being too young). The nurseries over here do not have a regular supplier of coconut palms, so I am hoping to fill that void soon. John