how to dig up a palm tree for transplant

Cutting the roots all way around some time before, as is done with deciduous trees, isn’t advised for palm trees. They should transplant fine and don't usually have huge roots (I've one in a pot that lived outdoors for 15 years). Sulfur additions can lead to gradual decreases in pH, although its effectiveness varies depending on moisture, temperature, and bacterial presence. Make sure it is deep enough to partially cover the roots. Transplant at the beginning of the warm season, as this will help palms reestablish the fastest. For more tips from our Gardening co-author, including how to care for your new tree after planting it, read on! Approved. This will loosen the loosen the soil around the roots and allow air to reach them, causing them to dry out. Dig the hole to the same depth or a little deeper than the palm's container. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. This will reduce transpiration and reduce the palm moving in the wind. They will grow in just about all soil types. Moving a Sago Palm Tree Approximately 24-48 hours before any sago palm tree transplanting, water the plant deeply and thoroughly. As long as the branches seem supple and flexible, it is probably alive. Irrigate the area several times over with large amounts of water to settle the earth and rehydrate the palm. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. They are not to fussy about their position in sunlight or partial shade. Maybe you just want to dispose of a palm tree that's in the way. Often stress will cause the leaves to drop even if the tree is living. Carefully dig into the soil as you circle around the palm's trunk. If you're referring to the time of year, then I would suggest transplanting trees in the spring. Additions of organic matter such as peat moss, manure, or compost can improve soil drainage. Remove them later if they die. Palm tree transplanting is popular with our commercial customers but we also provide the service for residential customers on occasion as well. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? Finally, use the excess soil to create a 3-inch dam about 2 feet from the trunk to keep water from draining away. References Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Transplanting Palm Trees. Step 2 - Prepare the Transplant Dig about 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 cm) into the soil and touch it with your hands. Last Updated: August 17, 2019 Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. You have to be very careful not to damage its roots and to relocate it quickly otherwise it could go into shock or die. It doesn't have to be a huge rain, drizzling/sprinkling off and on will be fine. Can I transplant a 15-foot peach tree without damaging it? What are the extra costs? Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. They may grow closer together, but competition between root systems isn't good. Visual aids provided are so much better than what's available elsewhere online. If my sapling has two trunks, should I separate them or replant them together? ", "Never done this before, and having read the article, I'm actually encouraged to do it! Thanks! Hi All, I have a few Palm Trees of various type, ranging in sive from ankle high to waist high, which I'd like to transplant to a different area. Maybe you've discovered you have a valuable tree, such as a large Canary Island Palm, and you want to sell it. Decide whether this is a job you can do yourself before you can begin. Support wikiHow by Ideally, choose a time when it has been raining for a day or two and the forecast calls for more rain. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. You can also put bone powder on the ground around the trunk. Never dig up a sago when the plant is growing new leaves. High winds can blow the sapling down before the soil is compacted and the roots begin growing out to establish a new foothold. Keeping stakes in the ground can hinder or damage a growing trunk. Conversely, aluminum sulfate additions lead to instantaneous pH decreases that are difficult to control. Afterwards, continue filling the hole up with the remaining soil. If you don't have the equipment to support the palm root ball, trunk and crown all at once while transporting, you need professional help. The idea is to transplant a tree while it’s dormant. ", "Time of year, care for root system, orientation of tree when replanted. Yes, but make sure that you're pruning your tree at the proper time of year. Palm Tree Rootball Once you’ve dug up your sapling, dig a hole 2-3 times as big as its root ball in your new location. Unlike some palms, whose roots may be damaged if transplanted when they are too young, it is probably safe to transplant juvenile canary palms, as well as adults. Limit yourself to trees with trunk diameters that are 2 inches (5.1 cm) or less for the best results. For example, tie a colored ribbon to north side of the tree, and plant with this ribbon facing north. Fill with regular soil and do not amend. If it's dry, or even just a bit damp, it needs more water. I love that I now have the tools to do it correctly and hope for these trees living at my home. The larger the tree is, the heavier the rootball will need to be, which means heavier equipment may need to be brought in to dig and move the plant. Dig up the Palm. This rootball size provides enough anchorage for the tree at … wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. "Hopefully, I will be able to save a couple ficus and magnolia trees off our construction site that will soon be, "Thank you! Transplanting palm trees makes a great instant and dramatic landscape feature. Be aware of the local regulations and do the right thing—these laws are there to protect our forests for everyone's future. Add dolomitic limestone to raise the pH of low-magnesium soils. But what you can do is cut the trunk into sections and plant each one if it gets too unwieldy, that could make 2 nice height ones. Different plants fare better during different time frames. Anything bigger can be difficult, and is best transplanted by landscape contractors. Palm trees can be an exception to most of the rules above. Sarah Moore has been a writer, editor and blogger since 2006. New root growth generates from the trunk rather than the ends of long lateral roots as in other trees. Never nail anything directly into a palm's trunk. Palms are relatively easy to transplant when compared to similar-sized broadleaf trees, because many of the issues involved with transplanting broadleaf trees, are never a problem with palm trees due to their different root morphology and architecture. Mulching provides a favorable environment for root growth by improving water flow, holding in moisture, and preventing weed growth. Purchase plastic or a tarp from local home hardware or garden stores. This article has been viewed 385,739 times. ", tools, the weather is good (raining), we've barked the north side of the little tree and will be careful to get all the root system! This article answered all our questions.Our oak sapling is too close to our house. Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball of the palm. You can undertake ponytail palm replanting yourself, as long as you follow the general guidelines. I'm on a construction site where everything is going to be removed. By removing the earth from the roots before replanting it I hope it is still. Tie up the leaves, including the canopy, with twine to keep them from harm and protect the crown. Don't water so much that you wash the soil from the roots. So, prior to digging, get the soil moist around the palm. Can I transplant a 15-foot blue spruce tree without damaging it? It is entirely possible to repot or transplant a ponytail palm, no matter how large it is. Dig a hole that is twice as deep and wide as the expected root ball. You may have to add more soil as the earth settles around the root ball. With a bit of effort and determination, your young tree will be healthy and growing in no time. There are many reasons you may find yourself with the need to dig up a palm tree. ", "Very good tips and easy-to-follow instructions.". Avoid transplanting palms in fall and winter in areas where these months are significantly cooler, as this will stress the plant, making it difficult for it to get established and predisposing it to disease. Rewater the tree after the initial watering has soaked in, and keep watering the sapling through its first growing season. Thank you. In its new position, dig a hole that should be twice as wide as the root. Step 8 Push the extra soil back in around the root ball, pressing it down as you go. Take out the plant with care and by now, you are ready for planting. Using a tree spade or shovel, cut the palm from the ground while leaving at least 3 feet of space around the trunk. ", http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/, Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/2009/3-11/transplanting.html, http://web.extension.illinois.edu/gardendesign/assessment_sunlight.cfm, http://extension.msstate.edu/content/soil-testing, http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/other/soils/hgic1650.html, https://athenaeum.libs.uga.edu/bitstream/handle/10724/34451/LeylandCypress.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y, https://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/archive/stakingyoungtrees.html, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Watch for the usual pests if you are in the woods looking for a transplant candidate. Transplanting large ponytail palms, however, requires the assistance of many strong arms and even a tractor. Leave them tied for a couple weeks after re planting. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. On the other hand, signs of not getting enough sunlight include decreased growth, a wide distance between leaf stems, spindly stems, and fewer flower buds. Same zone (the southeat). If the leaves fall off after moving the sapling, wait and see if it rebuds and puts out new leaves. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. All the trees were planted roughly 6 mo. Remove the stakes after 1-2 years, once your tree's roots are established. For more tips from our Gardening co-author, including how to care for your new tree after planting it, read on! Steady watering ensures that the tree does not dry out. Then, pull out any remaining burlap from under the tree. You might want to wrap the string or wire with a split, cut-off piece of garden hose where it contacts the tree to keep it from chaffing the bark at these locations. These dams are especially useful for dry soil. Perhaps you're redoing your landscape and need to transplant your palm. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. There are ficus trees and. If … Consistently watering for several days before you transfer the plant will help the soil stay clumped to the plant's root ball. When settled, the part of the tree that is between the roots and trunk should be 1 inch under the soil's surface. Adding fertilizer too early will stimulate the tree to put more growth out than its stressed roots can support. Water the soil around the palm tree slowly and deeply the day before you plan to dig up the palm tree. Dig up the palm using a shovel. Since palms lose some of the roots, they are often stressed by lack of sufficient water. Although it can be transplanted during any time of the year, it will establish itself much more quickly when its roots are actively growing. I don't think it's a true palm, it's a Dracaena (Dragon Tree). Place the sapling in the bottom of the hole and fill it in with soil. Anyone have suggestions as to how this is done best? There are two good tree transplanting windows throughout the year: in fall after leaves drop and before the ground freezes, or in early spring before growth starts. The transplantation: digging out. Whatever the reason, digging up a palm tree probably isn't … If you see new rosettes forming, it is not the time to transplant. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Saplings with large taproots and large roots extending from the trunk are likely unsuitable for transplanting. Palm trees can take a long time to reach maturity and become quite large as they grow; they often outgrow their original location and need to be relocated to a more suitable space. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Can I dig up a sapling and relocate it to fit my needs? Although it does tolerate transplanting, it is a soft palm that damages easily, so you must handle it carefully. The aeration in the soil will keep the palm happy and help prevent transplant shock. Bundle up the remaining fronds on the palm so that they are clustered together in a bundle straight up from the trunk. However, estimating will give you a good idea of how to dig around the ball to minimize damage to the tree's roots. Splint the palm all the way up its length using a length of lumber or a strong pole to keep it from snapping off during transplant. The Best Time To Transplant Trees. Then pack soil around the palm tightly. Because of this lack of a large root ball, support bracing is required after transplant. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. % of people told us that this article helped them. This article received 14 testimonials and 89% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Wrap the root ball in burlap as you transport it to its new home using a cart, dolly or muscle power. Fill the hole where you dug up your new tree so that no one falls into it. I'm happy to say that now I think I can save a few. It is best to transplant in spring when warmer weather is just around the corner. They like lots of organic matter in the soil. Limit yourself to trees with a trunk diameter of 2 inches (5.1 cm) or less. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Water the soil 24 hours before you remove the tree to make digging it out easier. unlocking this expert answer. Canary palm (Phoenix canariensis), also known as Canary Island date palm, is a large member of the grass family native to the Canary Islands and hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. It was also helpful with advice about similar soil type, "I have a Autumn Flame Maple sapling that I'm giving to my neighbor. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Small palms, however, will present far less of a problem. A long slow trickle from a hose will allow the plant plenty of time to absorb the water. Leave the palm’s canopy intact. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/66\/Transplant-a-Young-Tree-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Transplant-a-Young-Tree-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/66\/Transplant-a-Young-Tree-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid144949-v4-728px-Transplant-a-Young-Tree-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"