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References Most potted palm trees do well in the same container for up to two years. First, remove the plant from its pot by sliding a flat instrument, like a dinner knife, around the inside of the container. Palms can be transplanted during the spring or early in the summer and generally tolerate transplantation well, although some varieties that can struggle with transplant, such as the Dypsis decipeins and Bismarkia nobilis. To check to see if a palm pup is ready to be transplanted, remove some of the dirt around the palm pup. Do not just place the fertilizer between the soil and the root ball as this can damage the tree’s roots. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. Approximately 24-48 hours before any sago palm tree transplanting, water the plant deeply and thoroughly. In its new position, dig a hole that should be twice as wide as the root. I took a long time to conclude that I had to get rid of the palm trees near my house. After transplanting, queen palms require constant moisture for root re-establishment. Starting with mature palms is expensive, sometimes so big that they need to be trucked and craned into the site. How to Trim a Palm Tree. This article has been viewed 446,873 times. A long slow trickle from a hose will allow the plant plenty of time to absorb the water. Palms with exposed root balls are said to be “on their tiptoes,” and are less stable. Gently pack the soil down around the base of the plant. Step 5 - Water. the side that has been given the most sunlight. Next, expose the root ball’s root system and ease the tree down, making sure the root ball is slightly lower than the level of the adjacent ground. Place the fertilizer one or two feet around the trunk of the tree to avoid over-fertilizing. This article has been viewed 446,873 times. Palm trees are unique garden plants that require much more attention when transplanting them than other trees may need. If the palm tree is tall, it may be easier to remove it from its pot while it is laying on its side. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Fill the hole, watering as you go, and build a soil barrier around the newly planted tree to help it retain water. It depends on climate conditions and how you plant it from the nursery. Horticulturalist Maggie Moran explains, “Palm trees have shallow roots that usually reach depths of 36 inches (91 cm) or so. Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Sunset Western Garden Book; Sunset Magazine. Transplanting is a method that is used to move a plant, palm or tree to another area. Palm trees are good landscaping plants because their roots are non-invasive. Before lifting the palm with a … ", lot of great information for a novice like me. Use great care lifting, if done manually, since palm trees have a high center of gravity with their relatively small root balls. How far apart should I plant queen palms? Water the palm thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes. What Nutrients Help the Shock of Transplanting a Pygmy Date Palm? I really wanted to know how to plant them as they were not, "Just moved here from Illinois, where Palm trees are not seen or grown. Using a tree spade or shovel, cut the palm from the ground while leaving at least 3 feet of space around the trunk. 4 Create a small dam about 3 inches (7.6 cm) high around the tree. ", "I planted a date palm seedling and this article helped me a lot, my palm is now growing and healthy! Step 3. If you cut off a palm tree at the trunk, it will not grow back. Otherwise, I would have added the fertilizer immediately in order to give strength to my plant. Palm trees are popular landscaping landmarks in tropical regions. So let’s look at some of the best ones to choose: Archontophoenix: A. alexandre, Alexander palm to 18m; A. cunninghamiana, Bangalow palm to 18m. Resistant to storm winds, and offering great shade and cover, palm trees are reliably no-fuss once you've put them into the ground. Mature trees cost much more than immature trees. Wrap the trunk at least 1/4 up the tree's height with a 16 inch (40.6 cm) wide piece of burlap to keep the bracing board cleats from chaffing the bark when the tree tries to sway in high winds. Do not bury the root crown (top of the tree ball) or trunk of any other palm trees; please consult with a certified arborist prior to planting if you have any doubts about how deep your palm can be planted. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Disturb the root ball as little as possible during this process - it is not necessary to loosen or cut the roots when transplanting palm trees. Just one raw seed is needed to make one palm tree. With simple protection you can grow any cold hardy palm tree. ", "First time planting Queen Palms, awesome article!". This article was co-authored by Maggie Moran. Before you plant your palm tree, make sure that you are putting it exactly where you want it, or indeed, be sure that you want a palm tree at all. The difficulty in transplanting an indoor palm tree to a new, larger pot is dependent on the size of the palm; for larger trees, you might need a hand. Give the new transplant lots of water, and let the water compact the dirt down into the hole. very big in size and I was afraid they would die. Once the plant is out of the pot, wash the roots in running water to remove the soil. It will take two to three weeks if you planted with a seed that has started germination in the storage sack. Tying up the fronds. [1] wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. This site was very beneficial, and gives a, "Not knowing anything about palms, the information was extremely helpful and now at least I can feel comfortable, "Step by step is useful. Water the palm deeply before transplanting so the soil sticks to the roots better. Choose a heavy container that will support the weight of the palm and make it approximately 4 to 6 inches larger across than the current container. Choose a new pot that is about 2 to 4 inches larger than what the tree is currently in. Also make sure to find the front side of the palm, e.g. Many think regularly trimming palms will help them grow when in fact just the opposite is true. She holds an Associate of Applied Science in accounting, having graduated summa cum laude. How do I control the top seeds from getting in my yard and growing new palms? to 1 year ago. Take out the plant with care and by now, you are ready for planting. ", "Making sure the crown is well above ground level helped. Traditionally, mature palm transplanting is performed using an excavator, crane and low loader to remove, transport and relocate palm trees. Moving a Sago Palm Tree. Then, put 6 inches of sand in the bottom of the hole. All the trees were planted roughly 6 mo. Most palm tree varieties are propagated by seed or by air layering. For large trees, place casters under the pots in case they become too heavy to lift and move when full. Some people insert short lengths of 2 inch (5.1 cm) or larger PVC pipe into the ground around the root ball, with one end sticking up, to facilitate watering. unlocking this expert answer. If there are no drain holes in the bottom of the pot, either drill some or place an inch of gravel on the bottom of the pot before filling. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. So if you want to get started planting a palm tree somewhere on your property, see the details and issues below. Use great care not to damage the bark of the tree, since any damage will offer insects an opportunity to attack it. Do this carefully, as damaged palm pup roots tend to die back and this will set the pup back. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. For example mature Canary Island date palms are a very popular species of palm for mature palm tree transplanting. For a palm less than 15 feet in height, a root ball of shovel-width radius outward from from the trunk edge provides for adequate root survival. ", buying and planting the right palms for my area. Place the palm’s root ball into the center of the new pot and add soil until it reaches the same spot on the tree trunk as the soil in the old pot. They are compact and may be lifted out like a ball. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. Slice garden shovel blades into the ground around the palm's trunk to sever existing roots. Budget: Small palms cost less, big palms cost more. Jungle Music Palms and Cyads: Palms in Containers, Mahoney's Garden Center: How to Repot a Plant, Real Palm Trees: Transplanting Instructions, Real Palm Trees: Quick Tips on Transplanting, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Ask Mr. Smarty Plants, Fine Gardening: How to Repot Container Plants, How to Plant a Windmill Palm in a Container. Water the transplant site deeply two to three times after transplanting to minimize transplant shock. This could help prevent the spread of palm trees in your yard. On multi-stemmed palms, also called c_lustering palms_, the plant will continue to grow if the trunk is severed, but it will rejuvenate new stems from the roots to replace the removed one. Support wikiHow by Their delicate root system is a reason for this because unlike other trees, palms possess roots that take time to “heal” after being cut and also require to get acclimated to their new environment. Yes. The seeds become red when they are ripe. Now I can decide where to plant and how to plant, water, and fertilize it. Transplanting an indoor palm is an important part of caring for the plant, and your tree will be happy with the extra room to wiggle its roots in. For that matter, every tree takes a long time to grow, and taking this extreme step should always be the last resort. Exposed top of the tree's root crown is good -- but grading soil up to and exposing the root ball is a no-no. They also make long-lasting and easy-care indoor plants. Tip 1: Acclimatize the palm before transplanting Palm trees don’t like sudden changes in temperature and light levels. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Over time, the cutting will develop a root system that allows it to grow on its own. Depending on your preference, you'll probably want the sunny side of the palm facing a spot where you can enjoy it. The palms are also known for recovering quickly after a move. Nonetheless, the hole should not be … They need full sun and good drainage. Mexican Fan Palms grow quite wide and tall, so allow at least 10 meters between them. Use great care when digging, especially if using power equipment, since unknown underground utilities may be encountered. On the other hand, palms planted too deeply risk rot on their trunks, also destabilizing them, causing disease and rot. Thanks for sharing. Will the roots harm the foundation of my neighbor's house? 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