Palm-lined Mosul street sees renewed identity, revived harvests

NINEVEH — In Mosul’s al-Mazare’ al-Oula neighborhood, a cluster of date palms has transformed a once-overlooked street into a local landmark, now affectionately known as “Palm Street.” The trees, long neglected, have regained vitality as residents took it upon themselves to nurture them back to health.

Standing behind al-Qader Mosque on the city’s left bank, nearly 100 palm trees — including Jouzi and Khastawi varieties — now yield abundant fruit. Residents say rising temperatures and climate changes have enhanced productivity.

“This area became known for its palm trees, especially the Jouzi and Khastawi varieties,” said Mohammed Mahmoud, who moved to the neighborhood in 2019. “When we arrived, the palms were neglected, but we started caring for them and preparing their fruits, and since then they’ve yielded more abundantly than in previous seasons.”

Mahmoud said the trees now serve both practical and social roles, offering shade for pedestrians and vehicles while supplying dates shared among families and neighbors. “They provide us with production and shade that cools the street,” he said.

While locals embrace the aesthetic and communal value, agricultural experts offer a more cautious view. Anas al-Taie, an agricultural specialist, said palm trees are better suited for orchard cultivation.

“Palm trees are well adapted to the climate of central and southern Iraq, where they give the best results,” al-Taie said. “In Mosul there have been attempts to plant them in neighborhoods, and some have succeeded in producing fruit.”

However, he added, “From an environmental perspective, it is better to direct palm cultivation into orchards for economic production and job creation. In residential areas we recommend trees with broader foliage and shade to face the challenges of climate change and global warming. Palms in streets do not serve the required climatic purpose, while their presence in orchards ensures sustainable production.”