john mini distinctive landscapes – usa

Category: Large Indoor Greenery

Situated in the heart of Downtown New York City stand sixteen 37-foot tall Washingtonia Robusta trees. They are the architectural feature of a 120-foot-tall glass atrium and anchor point of the World Financial Center.

Based on recommendations developed by the New York Botanical Garden and the founder of our company, the palms are re-planted every 10 years for horticulture and safety reasons. Our research determined that while these trees grow 1-2\’ per year indoors, their fibrous trunks don’t strengthen their flexibility as they would when outside, exposed to natural elements such as wind and rain. Once the palms reach ~55’, they must be replanted for safety.

While the installation is conducted over a precise schedule of 12 nights – 8 nights of removal and planter bed prep and 4 nights of tree planting – the initial stages of the project started three years ago with the search for the 16 new trees.

This project is a story about discipline and endurance, beginning in June of 2021. Our team visited over 10 unlisted fields across Florida before selecting a field to initiate tree tagging. Within the selected field, we assessed 2,112 palm trees. Our goal was to select, dig, and transport 24 trees to acclimate in a custom-built shade house. Of these 24 trees, only 16 would be selected and shipped from Florida to New York for the July 2024 installation.

The tree finding and acclimation process posed significant challenges. Over the past decade, there has been a consolidation of large tree nurseries in Florida that serve the US interiorscape industry. When our sourcing began, there was no nursery with a large enough shade house for acclimatization or experience with this type of tree finding. To address the challenge of nursery consolidation, we tapped into our relationships with Florida growers to search for a top nursery operator with relevant experience. We partnered with a seasoned tree farmer specializing in palms. Together we built a custom 48-foot-tall shade house to provide an area for the palms to acclimatize.

The Palm Trees gained media attention upon successful installation, given their legacy. In the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks of 2001, this space garnered national attention as a symbol of hope and resilience. The atrium and palm trees were destroyed in the attacks. In 2002, we worked tirelessly to locate and install a new set of palms, alongside other skilled contractors who rebuilt the entire atrium, for the one-year anniversary of September 11th. 

This endeavor took hold in the media, including coverage in the NY Times and Wall Street Journal. A message was told that, just like these palm trees, we as a country would always stand tall in the face of adversity. During July and August of 2024, we were requested to discuss the process of replanting and the history of the project with media outlets. The process requires horticultural precision.

The end result is an incredible display of scale and symmetry. Sixteen palms standing tall, a pinnacle of the possibilities of landscaping.

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