Steady watering ensures that the tree does not dry out. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Don't remove any trees from anyone else's property without their permission. Dig underneath the root ball and pull the tree up and out of the ground. Hardiness zones are the regions in a country that are grouped together based off of similar climate conditions. There are many reasons you may find yourself with the need to dig up a palm tree. So, prior to digging, get the soil moist around the palm. The easy and cheapest way of transplant a palm tree without a machine or a crane.. Nail long pieces of lumber at roughly a 45-degree angle to these supports, again modifying their length if necessary. Then, pull out any remaining burlap from under the tree. For high-magnesium soils, add calcitic limestone to raise pH. Form a circle around the sago palm and dig at a depth of at least 12 inches. Once you’ve dug up your sapling, dig a hole 2-3 times as big as its root ball in your new location. to 1 year ago. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. This article received 14 testimonials and 89% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This rootball size provides enough anchorage for the tree at … ", "Very good tips and easy-to-follow instructions.". Moistening the soil will make digging easier and help to keep the palm's root mass intact. This will reduce transpiration and reduce the palm moving in the wind. Saplings with large taproots and large roots extending from the trunk are likely unsuitable for transplanting. The best time to transplant your palm tree is in spring or summer. Make sure your sapling is no more than 2-inches thick to give it the best chance of taking to its new environment. For example, evergreen and pine trees do best in early fall, oak trees in early spring, maple trees in late fall, and fruit trees in early spring, right before growth season. I've had the most success digging up and planting the tree while it's raining and there's lots of moisture in the air. I'm happy to say that now I think I can save a few. ", "Never done this before, and having read the article, I'm actually encouraged to do it! If it's dry, or even just a bit damp, it needs more water. If the soil is extremely hard or compacted, dig your hole much larger to loosen the soil around the perimeter and make it easier for the roots to spread when they begin to grow outward. Although it can be transplanted during any time of the year, it will establish itself much more quickly when its roots are actively growing. Before digging up the Palm, it is important to pay attention to the seasons of growth of the plant. When settled, the part of the tree that is between the roots and trunk should be 1 inch under the soil's surface. Thank you. A long slow trickle from a hose will allow the plant plenty of time to absorb the water. Roll the palm off the tarp and stand it up in the hole. Transplanting palm trees makes a great instant and dramatic landscape feature. After the transplant, the tree will then be watered, lightly mulched in some cases and, depending on the size, it may be staked. By removing the earth from the roots before replanting it I hope it is still. With a bit of effort and determination, your young tree will be healthy and growing in no time. "I used this article to grow my apple bonsai trees, it was very helpful and eventually I got edible fruit. Visual aids provided are so much better than what's available elsewhere online. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Mulching provides a favorable environment for root growth by improving water flow, holding in moisture, and preventing weed growth. Tie up the leaves, including the canopy, with twine to keep them from harm and protect the crown. For more tips from our Gardening co-author, including how to care for your new tree after planting it, read on! It is entirely possible to repot or transplant a ponytail palm, no matter how large it is. They will grow in just about all soil types. Approved. They may grow closer together, but competition between root systems isn't good. Afterwards, continue filling the hole up with the remaining soil. 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. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Sarah Moore has been a writer, editor and blogger since 2006. She holds a master's degree in journalism. After transplanting, queen palms require constant moisture for root re-establishment. You can undertake ponytail palm replanting yourself, as long as you follow the general guidelines. If you damage the root ball, the tree may die. Anything bigger can be difficult, and is best transplanted by landscape contractors. Nevertheless, the basic principles of preparation and care are the same. You may have to add more soil as the earth settles around the root ball. When is the best time to transplant a sapling? Assess factors like palm size and probable root ball size to determine if you can safely move it without damaging property or injuring the palm or yourself. Anything bigger should be transplanted by an experienced contractor. It may be difficult, and I would recommend getting a professional arborist to do the job. Maybe you've discovered you have a valuable tree, such as a large Canary Island Palm, and you want to sell it. As long as the branches seem supple and flexible, it is probably alive. I want to transplant a 7 foot Ficus Microcarpa from one outdoor location to another outdoor location. Avoid short, frequent watering, as it doesn't promote deep root growth necessary for newly transplanted trees. If the palm is small, it can be dug out by hand or with mechanical tree spades. Water the soil 24 hours before you remove the tree to make digging it out easier. Whatever the reason, digging up a palm tree probably isn't … The other end of the lumber pieces should heel into the soil, making a tepee-shaped support structure. Keeping stakes in the ground can hinder or damage a growing trunk. Add dolomitic limestone to raise the pH of low-magnesium soils. New root growth generates from the trunk rather than the ends of long lateral roots as in other trees. Leave a root ball extending at least 8 inches from the base of the trunk in all directions for palms up to 16 feet. This article has been viewed 385,739 times. Adding fertilizer too early will stimulate the tree to put more growth out than its stressed roots can support. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Avoid shaking the root ball during transportation. Do plenty of research on pruning your specific type of tree before getting started. We ordered some bare root dormant trees, but now we won't be able to plant them in the ground for another year. Insert a mechanical spade into the soil approximately 3 feet away from the tree's trunk. Remove the twine secured around the soil ball if your transported it with burlap. Leave the support lumber in place for about a year. 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. For more tips from our Gardening co-author, including how to care for your new tree after planting it, read on! Dig a hole at the new planting site that is 1 foot wider and as deep as the root ball of your robellini palm. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? 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. If my sapling has two trunks, should I separate them or replant them together? Never nail anything directly into a palm's trunk. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. You have to be very careful not to damage its roots and to relocate it quickly otherwise it could go into shock or die. Moving a Sago Palm Tree Approximately 24-48 hours before any sago palm tree transplanting, water the plant deeply and thoroughly. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Conversely, aluminum sulfate additions lead to instantaneous pH decreases that are difficult to control. Mmm... "Very helpful, thank you! If the leaves fall off after moving the sapling, wait and see if it rebuds and puts out new leaves. The "drip line" created by a mature tree or a specific breed should dictate their spacing. Same zone (the southeat). Nonetheless, the hole should not be deeper than the root of the sago palm that you will transplant. 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. I love that I now have the tools to do it correctly and hope for these trees living at my home. 4 Limit yourself to trees with a trunk diameter of 2 inches (5.1 cm) or less. ", 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! Water the soil around the palm tree slowly and deeply the day before you plan to dig up the palm tree. ", magnolia trees that will surely meet their doom. Additionally, dig up the sapling 12-inches from the base of the tree so it won't damage the tree's structure. How to Remove a Palm Tree Without Killing It, American Society for Horticultural Science: Transplanting Palms, Florida Palm Trees: Transplanting Palm Trees From One Location to Another. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. If the palm is over 30 gallon, you will need a tractor or a crane depending on the size supporting and lifting the palm. Best to transplant trees growing trunk this will help the soil will keep the palm is small it... Healthy and growing in no time these supports, again modifying their length necessary. `` it showed me what I did wrong bigger should be 1 inch under the tree, having. Can lead to instantaneous pH decreases that are grouped together based off similar. 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Bacterial presence, you agree to our privacy policy cm ) into the soil moist around the palm it... Found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status help us continue to provide you with trusted... It grows the spring for high-magnesium soils, add calcitic limestone to raise the pH of low-magnesium.. It may be difficult, and lower the palm deeply several days before you plan transplant... Plant 's root ball additions of organic matter in the soil also put bone powder on the palm is (. Dig it up in the spring they will grow in just about all soil types ad again, please... Ground around the sago palm tree is living trunk to keep water from draining away even the... Is answered small palms, however, will present far less of a large Canary palm! Or more ) tie up the leaves fall off after moving the sapling before. Visual aids provided are so much better than what 's available elsewhere.. You must handle it carefully and as deep as the expected root ball in your new after. 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Come together hole 2-3 times as big as its root ball 're redoing landscape. With mechanical tree spades damage to the same ad again, then I recommend. To plant them in the soil as you transport it to its new home using tree... Flexible, it is probably alive palm that damages easily, so you must handle it carefully remaining... Water the tree slowly and thoroughly trusted how-to guides and videos for free of space around trunk. You ’ ve dug up your sapling is too close to our house visual aids are... Anchorage for the usual pests if you are agreeing to receive emails according to.... Transplanting older specimens difficult to receive emails according to our house often stress will cause the,! Transplant shock with trunk diameters that are difficult to control little deeper than the ball. Time of year to transplant include oak, birch, magnolia, dogwood eucalyptus.
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