Date Palm (Nakhla)

One trunk covered with old leaf bases, and a crown of long feather-like fronds with thorns near the base. There are male trees (pollen) and female trees (fruit). The fruit goes from khalal to rutab to tamr (dry date).

Grown in most regions. Famous areas include Al-Ahsa oasis, Al-Qassim, Madinah, Riyadh, Hail, Najran, Al-Jouf, Tayma and Bisha.

Deep sandy or loamy soil with good drainage is best. It handles salty and alkaline soil well.

It can survive drought, but good fruit needs regular and enough water, mainly in summer.

Hot dry summers and long sunny days. It handles short cold spells.

From offshoots, which keep the same type, or from tissue culture. Seeds give mixed results.

• Dates are a main food. Famous types: Khalas, Sukkari, Ajwa, Barhi and Sagai
• Fronds are used for crafts like baskets and mats
• Trunks and stems were used in old buildings
• Gives shade and cools farms

• Uses a lot of water when grown for fruit
• The red palm weevil is a dangerous pest
• Frond thorns are sharp
• Needs work for pollination, cleaning and harvest

Pollination is done by hand in spring, from male to female trees.