Daniel is a bit of a Palm tree fanatic and in his spare time enjoys growing many exotic varieties from around the world. He has donated three palm trees to the local Council to display on Weymouth’s roundabouts over the last few years. The Canary Island Date Palm (Phoenix Canariensis) at Chalbury Corner, Preston was donated in July 2005. It stands 14ft tall and weighs in at more than two tonnes. It was imported from Spain and so heavy it had to be craned into position using a special lift and secured underground for safety purposes.

In August 2006 Daniel donated a second Canary Island Date Palm to King’s Roundabout in Weymouth to mark the successful bid for Britain to host the 2012 Olympics.

We will probably never again in our lifetimes get such a fantastic opportunity to improve the image of Weymouth & Portland for such a positive cause. During the four day coverage of the Olympic Sailing Championships, we can really show the world what a wonderful part of the UK we live in. 

The second palm weighed one and a quarter ton and currently stands 12ft tall.

Daniel also donated an 8ft Californian Fan Palm (Washingtonia) in May 2007 to celebrate the newly landscaped gardens as Sandsfoot Castle, just a short walk from Nothe Fort. The Council’s plans for the redevelopment of the sight were based on bringing a ‘Mediterranean flavour’ to the castle grounds and we think they made a success of this! I know Daniel feels very passionately about the palms and sees the donation of them to the town as a long lasting, green, environmentally friendly way to give something back to the community and improve the area. The trees will flourish over many generations adding a welcoming feel and tropical touch to the town.