The Coconut palm is the best known of the palms. It is considered to be one of the most useful trees in the world. The tree is recognized by most people, and is often associated with some pristine beach on a tropical island. The un-branched trunk can reach 80-100 feet at maturity, topped by a crown of leaves each up to 20 feet in length. The tree is seldom straight, and often leans because of the wind, fruit load, and instability of the soil. When four or five years old the tree begins to produce male and female flowers, followed shortly thereafter by fruits (nuts). A coconut tree usually can be expected to produce 25 nuts a year, with a maximum of 75 under ideal conditions. The tree’s lifespan is approximately 80 to 90 years.