I seem to own a 'Palm Tree,' too ... duh!
For those of you who have met me, I'd imagine that I come across as a pretty funny guy.
(I've often been told that.[:D])
A couple days ago I got a really good laugh at myself. I don't mind that - I LIKE to laugh at myself, as well as my friends.
I also like a good story - somehow when I don't find one ... they tend to find me!
Another one just found me.
You'd THINK if you owned something - about fifty feet tall, in plain sight, something not skinny and difficult to see, something that might be even called MAJESTIC AND HUGE, alive and substantial ,,, you'd THINK you'd know about it!
Maybe, maybe not.
About a year ago I got a letter in the mail - some guy wanted to buy the palm tree out in front of our house. I smiled and tossed the letter - we don't have a palm tree in front of our house - never have, don't now and never intend having one in front of our house!
A few weeks later I got another letter - "What would you be willing to sell your palm tree for - that big one in your front lawn?" Mature palm trees are quite valuable - depending on the species and size. A guy down the street just sold his for $40,000. THIS time, I notice a post mark on the envelope, from Los Angeles.
"Ah," sez I, somebody must have seen a property up in Los Angeles they've confused with a couple that we own in West Hills!
Since I've owned those properties since 1976, I obviously would know if either had a palm tree in their front yard(s)! Jeeeeze! How 'STUPIT' can you get!???
Just to make sure (which is ridiculous, again, I would know if there was a palm tree there, or not - for heaven sakes, I've been there a million times in the last 30 years!) I searched for photos of those houses! Can't find one - gott'em, but they must be in a box somewhere in the garage, probably!
So, I turned to Gale (after she returned home from a hard day of third graders) and asked her, "Do we own a palm tree in Los Angeles? She shoots me a (very) funny look and says, "No, of course not - why?!" I told her some nut up there wants to buy it. We laughed.
Then I went up to my daughter's room. I asked her, "Jenny, do you ever recall seeing a palm tree up at the West Hills properties?" She shot me a (very) funny look (just like her mother) and said, "Nooooooo," expecting it was a trick question.
Finally, I found my son, John, out front, working on his truck, "Yo, John! Do we have a palm tree up in Los Angeles?" Same funny look and he says, "Noooo," deciding the old man has finally lost it (Yippee!)!
The letters persisted.
Finally, out of curiosity, I grabbed my camera and drove on up Friday - a six hour round trip (on a perfect day)! The photos below are those I took upon my arrival to West Hills!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I OWN A PALM TREE!!!
Good lord - I've always prided myself as a trained observer!
Obviously, I should look a few more degrees above the horizon, I'd probably be a
much better observer.
We have our properties managed by a property management company - they take
care of the gardener, pool guys and apparently the palm tree trimmers - from the
looks of the palm tree photos! I just pay the bills - what do I know!?? jeeeze![:o)]
... THAT'S gotta go into my book!
[:D]
(I've often been told that.[:D])
A couple days ago I got a really good laugh at myself. I don't mind that - I LIKE to laugh at myself, as well as my friends.
I also like a good story - somehow when I don't find one ... they tend to find me!
Another one just found me.
You'd THINK if you owned something - about fifty feet tall, in plain sight, something not skinny and difficult to see, something that might be even called MAJESTIC AND HUGE, alive and substantial ,,, you'd THINK you'd know about it!
Maybe, maybe not.
About a year ago I got a letter in the mail - some guy wanted to buy the palm tree out in front of our house. I smiled and tossed the letter - we don't have a palm tree in front of our house - never have, don't now and never intend having one in front of our house!
A few weeks later I got another letter - "What would you be willing to sell your palm tree for - that big one in your front lawn?" Mature palm trees are quite valuable - depending on the species and size. A guy down the street just sold his for $40,000. THIS time, I notice a post mark on the envelope, from Los Angeles.
"Ah," sez I, somebody must have seen a property up in Los Angeles they've confused with a couple that we own in West Hills!
Since I've owned those properties since 1976, I obviously would know if either had a palm tree in their front yard(s)! Jeeeeze! How 'STUPIT' can you get!???
Just to make sure (which is ridiculous, again, I would know if there was a palm tree there, or not - for heaven sakes, I've been there a million times in the last 30 years!) I searched for photos of those houses! Can't find one - gott'em, but they must be in a box somewhere in the garage, probably!
So, I turned to Gale (after she returned home from a hard day of third graders) and asked her, "Do we own a palm tree in Los Angeles? She shoots me a (very) funny look and says, "No, of course not - why?!" I told her some nut up there wants to buy it. We laughed.
Then I went up to my daughter's room. I asked her, "Jenny, do you ever recall seeing a palm tree up at the West Hills properties?" She shot me a (very) funny look (just like her mother) and said, "Nooooooo," expecting it was a trick question.
Finally, I found my son, John, out front, working on his truck, "Yo, John! Do we have a palm tree up in Los Angeles?" Same funny look and he says, "Noooo," deciding the old man has finally lost it (Yippee!)!
The letters persisted.
Finally, out of curiosity, I grabbed my camera and drove on up Friday - a six hour round trip (on a perfect day)! The photos below are those I took upon my arrival to West Hills!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I OWN A PALM TREE!!!
Good lord - I've always prided myself as a trained observer!
Obviously, I should look a few more degrees above the horizon, I'd probably be a
much better observer.
We have our properties managed by a property management company - they take
care of the gardener, pool guys and apparently the palm tree trimmers - from the
looks of the palm tree photos! I just pay the bills - what do I know!?? jeeeze![:o)]
... THAT'S gotta go into my book!
[:D]
0
-
$40,000?!?!?!?!?!?! That man would have a palm tree. I'd plant another one and forget about it. 0 -
FOR SALE and ON SALE! 0 -
The $40,000 palm tree, about three houses down from us - when it was here - was planted when these houses were built - in 1966 - and it's the right species (whatever that species is/are). Some palm trees are worthless ie. Mexican Fan Palms, and those with raggedy leaves. The mature King and Queen Palms are an entirely different matter.
I've done some research on the subject, today, and have found there is a HUGE palm tree shortage in the Western states. So many have been bought/transplanted for hotels, shopping centers, local Gov't complexes, etc., etc., etc. that the search for more palm trees have depleted most in the far Pacific islands - coconut palms are safe, because they kill a certain number of tourists dumb enough to stand/snooze under them every year and are of no value.
Anyway, good looking - mature - palm trees demand high prices.
Los Angeles has decided not to replace the thousands and thousands of 60 footers that line many of the streets - planted in the 1920's and that are now dying of old age. They just can't find/afford replacements. Those are queen palms, I think.
The one up in West Hills was planted - probably - when the house was built, in 1957. That would make it about 50 years old. IF I planted another on in it's place, for investment purposes, I'd be 112 when it would be ready for resale!
... alas, poor Ulric, too late for this mere mortal ... most certainly, worm food by then!
[:D]0 -
So, are you going to negotiate to sell it [?] 0 -
I dunno - what would you do?
... I'm still laughing at myself (so much) I can't quite get serious enough to focus.
BUT, I have successfully embarrassed the hell outta my kids! That's payment enough,
for the moment, anyway!
[:D]0 -
I found your post somewhat coincidental. My future son-in-law is in that business in San Diego and it is a pretty lucrative business; I was shocked. While we were out there over Christmas he showed us several really expensive Palms around San Diego that he is either negotiating on or has a contract on and they are just waiting for the end buyer to be ready for receipt of it/them. He buys all over and his customers include hotels, resorts, as well as celebrities. He says when they purchase and remove a tree(s) they also restore the property and replant something in its place, usually with input from the land owner.
You probably should at least hear them out and see what their offer is and how they restore the area. Also, you need to find out if they have their own equipment to remove and transport the tree, it does make a difference!
If you make contact, let me know who it is, it might be my future son-in-law; [:0] he gets around because he has tree spotters that just go around looking for prime specimens and they aren't confined to the San Diego area! [:D]0 -
Old Colts:
Re: Future son-in-law
Well, feel free to pass the photos along to him/have him contact me at smstudioboss@gmail.com ... I'd be delighted to help a future son-in-law of a GB member along in his business. I'll provide him with the address of the property up in West Hills. It's a 2 1/2 hour drive up there under optimal driving conditions, if he cares to take a look.
I can probably get a hold of the equipment that it'd take to remove it and transport it but I would need to talk to my friend, Allan - he's at Carnival at the moment, in Brazil, this week and next. He's one of the studio's owners and also has just about every type of heavy equipment resource that you can imagine. He's been one of the biggest contractors in S. California - mostly commercial, nowadays.
Let me know.
[:D]0 -
I'll pass the photo's along to him. They have all their own equipment and can remove and haul the largest of trees with ease, so that's not an issue.
We were surprised to learn that as a result of the recent fires out there a lot of trees were destroyed, so there are a lot of people of means that need these Palms.0 -
OK ... nice talking to you ... looking forward to hearing from your man.
Wife has other plans for me now - I've ignored her long enough, apparently.
We're off to Bali Hai, on Shelter Island, for dinner.
Next time you're out we'll have to have lunch or maybe even some time at the range.
[:D]0 -
Sure looks like a "date-Palm" to me ...
SELL IT! their messy, and attract all kinds of pests!0 -
Bali Hai, we've been there on numerous occasions, but not for some time now. Always enjoyed it.
I'm sending him the photos tonight.0 -
SOLD!! What are you thinking about?
We had a "tree broker" knock on the door 2 days after we moved into this house and offered us $10K for the Japanese Red Maple in the front yard. "What the ****. You got to be kidding me?", was my response. His was, "I'll give you $12,500 and fill the hole, you sod it". "SOLD!" First year's mortgage almost taken care of.[:D]0 -
quote:You'd THINK if you owned something - that might be even called MAJESTIC AND HUGE, alive and substantial ,,, you'd THINK you'd know about it!
Why yes, as a matter of fact I do,,,,,,, I'm just too modest to talk about it here!0 -
SELL SELL SELL! Buy a smaller one for $5,000 and put $35,000 in a mutual fund! If you keep yours another 20 years, then you'll have a dying palm and no $40,000! 0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
14 comments