Steps for How to Transplant a Palm Tree Successfully
Palm trees are unique garden plants that require much more attention when transplanting them than other trees may need.
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.
This article “How To Transplant a Palm Tree Successfully” aims at outlining the steps that if taken, would increase the chances of a successful palm tree transplant from one place to another.
Preparing for the New Site
Before even thinking about transplanting a palm tree make sure that the palm tree you are buying is able to handle the temperate conditions of your hardiness zone.
Check out the post “Buy Palm Trees – Most Common Types of Palm Trees” for some of the most popular types of palm trees and where you can buy them online.
Playing close attention to the section which the plant is to be transplanted to is important. This is because after removing the palm tree from its initial location, one needs to ensure that its new surroundings provide optimum conditions that enable it to grow back the roots it lost.
First, dampening the soil in that area would significantly aid in reducing the amount of root loss because moist soil serves to hold them together.
Secondly, it is advisable to ensure that the transplant occurs in soils of high temperature. This can be ensured by undertaking this exercise during the months of May through to June considering that the soil temperatures are expected to be about 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Finally, you have to dig up a hole that is twice the width of the rootball size; thus ensuring enough of the “old” soil is used when acclimatizing the palm tree.
Dig up the Palm
Before digging up the Palm, it is important to pay attention to the seasons of growth of the plant.
For the best results, it is advisable to do this during the most active season of growth so that the palm is able to recuperate from stress it will experience during the transplant.
With this in mind, using a shovel from a distance of approximately 3 feet from the trunk, remove the palm from the ground.
The rootball size extracted using the distance specified is enough to provide strong support in the soil for the palm and perform root functions such as absorbing nutrients which are important in full recovery of the plant.
Transfer the Palm to Transplant Area
After shifting the palm, examine the soil line in relation to its trunk. Ensure that the level of soil is the same as the initial level at the old location.
This helps to ensure that the plant has a better transition to its new status and makes it less likely to experience shock which could result in stunted growth.
Afterwards, ensure that the area has sufficient moisture to encourage the growth of the palm’s roots from its original rootball size.
Maintaining the moisture levels should be consistent for a period of six months. However, one should be careful not to make the ground soggy.
If there is adequate rainfall, watering should be stopped. After a period of 8 months, the palm tree transplanted should be firm.
Conclusion
Learning how to transplant a palm tree is a task that can seem challenging but if carried out following the proper guidelines, one can transfer a palm tree successfully.
Some final tips that are important to note.
- Throughout the process, one should ensure that the palm’s roots are disturbed as less frequently as possible.
- Furthermore, the transport of the palm tree should be done in a way that prevents the trunk from snapping. This can be done by making sure weight is distributed evenly and adding support rods (if needed) by tying boards the length of the trunk to the tree while in transport.
Good luck!
