You might think about planting a palm tree to brighten up your backyard. You might also consider moving a palm tree from one area to another in your yard. These thoughts lead to the question: How can people transport and plant palm trees in their yards?

These are the 10 steps you need to take to move a palm tree.

• Look for the root ball in your palm tree
• Find the palm tree
• Take out old leaves
• Prepare to transport
• Prepare the planting site
• Plant the Palm Tree
• Tie the fronds
• Water the Palm Tree
• Add mulch
• Support the palm using timbers

Continue reading to find out about the root system and transport steps for palm trees, as well as tips on reducing transplant shock.

How to Transport a Palm Tree

Palm trees are one of the easiest trees to plant and transport. Because they have a large, fibrous rootball instead of a complex root system, palm trees are easy to transport and plant.

Preparing the location for transplanting an adult palm tree is essential. After preparing the location for transplant, you will need to carefully remove the tree from the ground with minimal damage to its root ball.

Transplant shock is a condition in which a palm tree is grown in a container. It is different from a palm tree that is grown in the field. How to reduce transplant shock in a palm is covered in the section “How to Reduce Transplant Shock In a Palm Tree”.

Before we start, a quick reminder: Did you know you can actually grow certain types palm trees in New York City? However, you can’t grow tropical palm trees in New York. We have more information about this in our article Why Tropical Palm Trees Can’t Be Grown in New York

Step #1: Dig Around The Root Ball Of A Palm Tree

Palm trees have a rootball that is made up of small, compacted roots.

According to a University of Florida study, different species of palm trees respond differently to cutting their roots. For example, the roots of the sabal palmetto die when they are cut and replaced with new roots. It doesn’t matter if the roots were cut near the base of the palm. The coconut palm’s cut roots are 50% healthy and continue growing no matter how close they were to the base.

This will ensure that the root ball is small enough to be used for the coconut palm and sabal palmetto trees when they are being replanted. Dig a radius of one to two feet around the trunk for palm trees over 15 feet tall.

Step #2: Dig Out The Palm Tree

You will need to cut some roots after digging around the palm tree. No matter how big the radius around the trunk, root cutting is done.

Use a spade to cut the soil and roots. Make a circular shape around the palm tree. This circle should be about 12-24 inches from the trunk of your palm tree. It creates room for the root ball and soil.

The palm tree must be removed by someone who can lift it. This depends on its size. The weight of a palm tree can be quite heavy. A 20-foot one weighs in at around 1,000 pounds.

Step #3: Remove Old Leaves On The Palm Tree

Many nurseries will remove as much as two-thirds (or more) of the old leaves from palm trees in order to reduce water stress. Some homeowners may even take out all the leaves.

The amount and type of leaves to be removed will depend on which palm tree species is being transported. As the roots of sabal palmetto trees all die and regrow during transplanting, it is best to remove all leaves.

Step #4: Prepare To Transport The Palm Tree

To avoid damage to the leaves, tie the extra fronds together. This should be done before using the crane to lift the palm trees. To prevent the tree trunk from cracking, attach two splits to the opposite ends. This is especially important for palm trees with lighter skin.

A damaged trunk cannot cause damage to a palm tree. Additionally, insects and fungus can thrive on scratches to the trunk.

Before attaching cables, ropes or chains to the trunk, wrap it with nylon or polyester straps. Wrap the root ball with burlap soaked in water so that the root system remains moist during transport.

Wrap the entire tree in a wet-tarp if you’re using a truck for transport. This protects the tree’s fronds, bark, and roots from damage.

Step #5: Prepare The Planting Location

To ensure that a palm tree can be planted in the correct spot, it is important to test the soil. Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball to begin testing.

Let the water sit for an hour before pouring more into the hole. Wait for about an hour before you pour more water in the hole.

This location can be made to drain water better by placing stones in it and drilling several holes at its bottom.

Step #6: Plant The Palm Tree

Plant the palm tree immediately. To prevent it drying out, you can place mulch on top of the root ball.

The palm tree should be planted at the same depth as it was when it was growing. Plant the palm tree at the same depth as it was when it was growing.

The soil should be drenched with water before planting the palm tree. Fill the hole with native soil and water.

Step #7: Untie The Fronds Of The Palm Tree

Different gardeners have different views on the location of this step: Untying the fronds. Some believe that keeping the fronds tied for several more weeks after transplanting the palm trees can reduce water loss and prevent the palm from shifting in wind.

Some gardeners believe that leaving the fronds tied doesn’t help the palm tree grow. It is up to you whether to tie the fronds immediately after planting or wait until later.

Step #8: Water The Palm Tree

The roots of palm trees that are grown in the fields have been cut. This means that they have smaller root balls in which to absorb water. Although the palm tree is still growing new roots it requires water more than a palm tree that is grown in a container. It doesn’t matter if your palm tree is in the field, or if it’s in a container. You will need to water it every day for three weeks.

After the fourth week, your palm tree can be watered every other day. You can start to reduce the frequency of watering after six weeks.

Step #9: Add Mulch Around The Palm Tree

Mulch around the base of your palm tree will help retain moisture and discourage weed growth. Mulch should be added to about 2 inches around the trunk. The mulch should be thicker above the root ball.

Mulch should be placed around the palm tree at least one foot from the trunk. A mulch that is too close to the trunk of a smaller palm tree can cause rot and other fungal diseases. Mulch can also prevent water from reaching the roots of the palm tree.

Step #10: Support The Palm Tree With Timbers

The root systems of palm trees that are grown in the fields tend to be smaller than their height. This means they need support after being planted. This is in contrast to palm trees that are grown in containers. Their root systems tend not to be as large to support the trees in their upright positions.

This will prevent a newly planted palm tree from falling over in storms. Wrap the trunk with burlap and attach four pieces of wood to it with bands. It won’t damage the trunk and won’t allow the wood to slide out of its place.

Five support timbers can be nailed into larger pieces of wood. This support structure should be maintained for approximately one year or until the tree grows enough roots to allow it stand on its own.

How To Reduce Transplant Shock In A Palm Tree

The tree may be experiencing transplant shock even though it was carefully transported and planted.

It might seem like the tree has died, but it’s not. Transplant shock occurs when the root ball becomes hardened after it has been moved, cut and exposed to sunlight, air, and other soil. Mother Nature didn’t create an environment in which palm trees can be transplanted organically, so the tree must adapt to these unnatural changes.

A palm tree can take up to one year to recover from transplant shock. Three years later, the transplanted tree will be considered fully established in its new location.

Many of the roots that support a palm tree are destroyed or killed when they are transplanted. Even if the roots survive, they will have to bring in enough water to sustain the tree. Although transplant shock is inevitable, there are some tips that can help you reduce it.

Tip #1: Transport And Plant The Palm Tree During Warm Rainy Months

It is best to plant a palm tree when it is warm and rainy. Depending on your location, it might not be possible to transport and plant the palm tree during the rainy season.

It is important to transplant your palm trees during warm, rainy weather. This will help your tree survive and reduce transplant shock. The palm tree has both the night and the whole night to adjust to its new environment before it is exposed to direct sunlight the next day.

Tip #2: Acclimate The Palm Tree

A container-grown palm tree can be transported to its new location. You should place it in the area where it will be planted at least a week before planting. This gives the palm tree time to adjust to the different levels of sunlight and temperature at its new location.

Another option is to plant the palm tree in a new spot and cover it with a plastic covering. This will allow more light in over time.

Tip #3: Leave The Old Soil In The Palm Tree’s Root Ball

Even though you may be aiming to plant healthier soil in the new location, it is important to keep the old soil intact. This helps reduce the tree’s exposure to the environment and decreases its stress levels.

Tip #4: Avoid Fertilizing The Palm Tree After Planting It

Do not fertilize the palm tree right after it has been planted. This will cause more stress to the tree. You should give your palm tree time to grow roots before fertilizing it.

Remember that palm trees planted in containers require high levels of nitrogen due to the potting soil. They need fertilizer with high levels of nitrogen to thrive.

These are some other tips to reduce transplant shock in your palm trees:

• In the first few months, spray the rootball with a fungicide at least twice.
• Apply a slow-release fertilizer for the palm tree between two and four months. Foliar sprays can also be used, as the root system absorbs very little.
• Provide winter protection until the palm tree’s root system has fully established itself.
• You should be alert for any signs of insects or diseases. They can also be attracted to plants that are weaker.

That’s A Wrap!

The steps for transporting and planting a palm trees are the same regardless of whether you’re buying one from a nursery or intending on transplanting it from your yard. It is possible to prevent injury to the roots by knowing how they grow and respond to being cut. This knowledge can increase the chances of survival for the palm tree.