Why do so many of the straight palm trees lean towards the ocean?You'd think they would lean opposite?

Answer 1

Palm trees will tend to lean outwards because that is where more light is (phototrophism), escpecially as it will be reflected back from the sea.

In addition, seed dispersal is easier as the nuts fall in to the water where they can be carried away by tides and ocean currents.

Coconuts can survive for several moths immersed in sea water.

Answer 2

In crowded palm forests, they grow straight up. You probably see the pictures of the trees on the beach.

The beach has the "edge" effect on plants. There is a place between the surf and the main land where the trees can form roots.

This is a zone where the trees can form roots but they still compete with other trees for sunlight. The trees on the farthest ocean-side of the edge grow where they can maximize their exposure to sunlight. This place is towards the ocean because they are not competing with other trees. In other words, they keep their toes in the good soil, but have to lean way over to get the best sunlight.

Trees don't actually make a decision to do this, they just naturally grow towards the sunlight.

Answer 3

Senegal Date Palm - common name
Phoenix reclinata - scientific name
A beautiful, clump forming palm whose trunks tend to lean outward, hence the name.

Non clumped palms - if leaning I would look at the supporting earth and erosion

Answer 4

They lean towards the sun to increase the surface area in which they recive the sunlight.

Answer 5

Maybe since their roots are being pushed inland by the waves, the tops lean over to counterbalance.

Answer 6

Probably the same reason plants/trees grow toward sunlight....

Answer 7

you are on the west side of the land then, they are reaching for the last rays of the sun.

Answer 8

google it...it may be a scientific thing