Do you suppose I could grow a betel palm tree if I brought some betel nuts home from Taiwan to Canada?

Question

We will be living on Vancouver Island, which is nowhere near as cold as the rest of Canada gets.

Answer 1

Palm Trees in Oak Bay

"The Palm Tree Capital of Canada"

Oak Bay is Victoria, British Columbia's scenic 'Seaside Village'

http://www.palmtreesinoakbay.com/

You might want to read the excerpt below/including the link

Seed Selection and Germination - Mature fruits (nuts)

of a desired variety, “Red” or “White,” are used as seed

source. However, because the betel-nut is known to be

wind-pollinated, there is no guarantee that a seed from a

desired variety will grow to bear the same variety due to

the effects of cross-pollination. Unfortunately, cross pollination

cannot be detected until the planting material

(seed) becomes mature and produces its own nuts.

http://www.hawaii.edu/hivandaids/Betel-N...

I can't say for sure about the seeds producing during your life time but the palm trees certainly grow in parts of Canada and most certainly in your area.

Missouri USA

Answer 2

You might want to check with the department of agriculture to see if it is legal to bring back such. You can't begin to imagine the damage that can be done to an Eco system by the introduction of just one plant or animal that has no natural preadetor in that system. Give it some serious thought before you do it.

Answer 3

I say you get a life, tree hugger.