Latest news with #palmTree
Khaleej Times
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
All about dates: Dubai exhibition brings residents closer to palm tree, Emirati heritage
The second edition of 'Dubai for Dates' was launched on Friday, July 25. This cultural event reflects a national vision to support local heritage and promote it as a source of inspiration. Aiming to encourage the cultivation and care of palm trees in homes, farms, and institutions, ensuring the sustainability of this national icon for future generations. The event, held at Al Remah Fort on the Dubai–Al Ain Road, is organized by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center and focuses on half-ripened dates. Running for eight days, it welcomes visitors daily from 10am to 10pm. The event blends heritage and innovation, celebrating the palm tree as a deeply rooted national symbol of Emirati identity and culture. "What makes Dubai for Dates different from other festivals is that it focuses on the palm tree itself — on its social aspect more than its economic one. Everything we have is dates — no fruits or other products," said Anood Alblooshi, Head of Events at Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center, to Khaleej Times. The event features a mini-exhibition showcasing traditional tools used in palm cultivation, including digging, cleaning, and pollination tools, as well as a diverse range of photographs documenting various types of dates and their harvesting stages. Visitors can explore old farming techniques once used by Emirati farmers, making the space a rich archive that connects people to the UAE's agricultural history. There are also many distinguished products made from dates, traditional homemade foods, and sweets. Interactive learning for children Children have a large share of the experience, with a dedicated section offering educational and entertainment activities centered on palm trees and dates. These include drawing, colouring, and interactive games. One highlight is the Date Harvest Game, which helps children understand the process of harvesting dates engagingly. There are also simple stories told in child-friendly language that narrate the history of the palm tree. "Our goal is to promote the value of the palm and encourage its cultivation. Even children come here and learn something new. For example, in the kids' corner, we teach them how to harvest dates. We also run the initiative 'Plant Your Seedling,' where they're given a small can with soil and a seed. They take it home and plant it. If a sapling grows by next year, we reward them," added Alblooshi. Emirati farmer Abu Abdullah from Sharjah participated in the Dubai for Dates event for the first time this year. He owns a farm in Dubai with over 1,200 palm trees. He has previously taken part in various agricultural events across the UAE. "I have around 1,200 palm trees, and we harvest daily. We collect between 200 and 500 kilograms per day," Abu Abdullah told Khaleej Times. He noted that although some varieties of dates are imported, when cultivated in the UAE, they surpass the quality of their country of origin, like Medjool dates, which are exported from Palestine, or Sukkari dates from Saudi Arabia." Abu Abdullah explained that the normal price of dates ranges from Dh10 to Dh80 per kilogram. "The best types of dates include 'Dubai Hilwa', Umm Al-Dahan, and Ajwa, which can reach up to Dh100 per kilogram." He has been in the date farming and trade business since 2007 and is now teaching it to his children. He also discussed the challenges faced in date farming, particularly the high production costs associated with electricity and labour, which affect the profitability of selling products. He mentioned that some farmers struggle to cover their losses due to fluctuating market prices. To manage excess produce, Abu Abdullah converts surplus half-ripened dates into fully ripened dates. In a modern touch that merges technology with tradition, visitors to Dubai for Dates can access information through an AI-powered virtual Emirati figure. This character provides interactive content about traditional palm-based crafts, irrigation methods, and pollination techniques, enhancing the visitor experience through innovative, knowledge-rich engagement. 13 competitions, exclusive palm auction This year's edition includes 13 competition categories, including the "Homegrown Palm — Dubai and General" category for palm trees grown in residential areas, as well as a "Government Entities" category. A special category is dedicated to 'Dubai Hilwa', considered one of the rarest and most valuable date varieties. Other contests include the Largest Cluster and the competition's Khalas, Khneizi, and Boumaan dates at both the Dubai and other emirate levels. The event also features the Palm Auction, organized in collaboration with Emirates Auction, which runs for seven days and showcases he finest types of palm trees in a unique commercial and cultural setting. A local expert committee oversees the judging process, chaired by Saeed Khalifa Bin Thalith, with members Alhai Ali Al Sabousi, Khalfan Ali Al Suwaidi, and Khadem Al Midour Al Muhairi, ensuring transparency and accuracy in evaluations. Abdullah Hamdan Bin Dalmook, CEO of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center, said, "We've transformed Dubai for Dates into a vibrant community space where the palm tree meets the public and their daily lives. This event is a social and national message aiming to strengthen people's connection to their land and heritage." "Launching initiatives such as the Hilwa Dubai category and the Palm Auction reinforces the presence of the palm tree in our daily lives. It's not just a tree, it's a symbol of generosity and deeply rooted identity," he added.
Daily Mail
19-07-2025
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Young girl, 7, is struck and killed by falling palm tree while playing in her yard at Tiwi
A seven-year-old girl has died after a group of children were hit by a falling palm tree. The girl was playing in the yard of a property in Tiwi, north Darwin, when she was hit by the tree about 1.55pm on Saturday. She died in an ambulance while on the way to Royal Darwin Hospital. An 11-year-old boy was also injured by the fallen tree. He did not suffer life-threatening injuries. NT Police are investigating and believe the incident is not suspicious. A report will be prepared for the coroner.
CBS News
14-07-2025
- CBS News
Person electrocuted while trimming palm tree in Oakland Park, fire department says
An investigation is underway after a person was electrocuted in an Oakland Park neighborhood on Monday morning. It happened around 9:30 a.m. on a residential property near the intersection of NE 39 Street and NE 174 Avenue. Oakland Park Fire Rescue said the person who died was a male and he was apparently trimming a palm tree on the property when it happened. A neighbor said he believes the person was an employee of a landscaping company that was doing work in the area. "It seems so. They interviewed a bunch of people from that company, which is a landscaping company, across the street and they all seemed dejected. So, I believe that's who it was, that's only conjecture," he said.
CBS News
26-05-2025
- CBS News
Man dies after being electrocuted while pruning palm tree near Tamiami, Miami-Dade deputies say
Man electrocuted while pruning palm tree near Tamiami, police say Man electrocuted while pruning palm tree near Tamiami, police say Man electrocuted while pruning palm tree near Tamiami, police say A man was electrocuted and died at the scene after accidentally striking a power line while pruning a palm tree in Southwest Miami-Dade, authorities said. The incident happened near the intersection of SW 139th Ave. and 36th St. near Tamiami, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office. Officials said the adult male was trimming the tree when he made contact with the live wire. He was pronounced dead at the scene. It's unclear if the man lived at the residence or was performing landscaping work. Authorities have not released his identity.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Phoenix firefighters use chainsaws to free tree trimmer after palm fronds fell on him
A tree trimmer was rushed to a hospital in extremely critical condition after part of a 50-foot palm tree's "skirt," or the dried fronds that hang from the trunk, fell on him. Phoenix firefighters responded to a residence near 65th and Virginia avenues at around 9:30 a.m. May 10 after receiving reports from the trimmer's coworkers that he had become unresponsive. "Technicians arrived and began using rope systems with drone technology, accompanied with ground ladders to attempt to extricate the individual," department spokesperson Capt. Scott Douglas said in a statement. "Firefighters ultimately used chainsaws from the bucket of a ladder truck to cut away palm fronds and secure the man and lower him down from the tree." Douglas said the man was taken to the hospital in extremely critical condition. The Phoenix Fire Department did not immediately respond to questions regarding the man's condition, as of May 11. The May 10 incident was not the first time a palm tree trimmer was injured or killed. A professional tree trimmer died after he was trapped underneath palm fronds in 2020 at a home near Indianola Avenue and 18th Street in Phoenix. Another tree trimmer was pronounced dead in 1990 after hundreds of pounds of dead fronds fell on him at a home in west Phoenix that caused him to suffocate, according to The Arizona Republic archives. LoriAnne Barnett Warren with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management previously told The Republic that palm trees should especially be properly maintained as the skirts are very heavy and can potentially injure people. "Palms are definitely something that should be maintained because the flower stalks — or inflorescences, as they are technically called — can become a hazard," Barnett Warren said. Most of the species we have, Mexican and California fan palms, put out stalks in late April through June, she said. Those can dry out and become a hazard. "The skirts (the dead remains of fronds that have fallen or been trimmed) attached to the tree are also very heavy and can injure people if they are in highly trafficked areas and they blow down in a storm," Barnett Warren said. Barnett Warren recommended hiring a certified arborist for pruning palm trees as doing so can be quite dangerous and pruning too much could cause it to die. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix tree trimmer injured after fronds fell: How to prevent this
