If you damage the root ball, the tree may die. unlocking this expert answer. ", "Time of year, care for root system, orientation of tree when replanted. If you're referring to the time of year, then I would suggest transplanting trees in the spring. In its new position, dig a hole that should be twice as wide as the root. I want to transplant a 7 foot Ficus Microcarpa from one outdoor location to another outdoor location. Can I transplant a 15-foot blue spruce tree without damaging it? Fill the hole where you dug up your new tree so that no one falls into it. The best time to transplant your palm tree is in spring or summer. Water the soil around the palm deeply several days before you plan to dig it up. We now have all our, "Thanks so much. Transplant at the beginning of the warm season, as this will help palms reestablish the fastest. to 1 year ago. Anything bigger can be difficult, and is best transplanted by landscape contractors. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. ", "Very good tips and easy-to-follow instructions.". If my sapling has two trunks, should I separate them or replant them together? Remove the brace and the twine around the canopy. completely cleared. Cutting the roots all way around some time before, as is done with deciduous trees, isn’t advised for palm trees. Anyone have suggestions as to how this is done best? Transplanting Palm Trees. Step 1 - Dig the Hole. 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. By removing the earth from the roots before replanting it I hope it is still. Once the hole is approximately two-thirds full, use your hands to press down on the soil around the root ball and remove any air pockets. Support wikiHow by 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. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Additionally, dig up the sapling 12-inches from the base of the tree so it won't damage the tree's structure. All the trees were planted roughly 6 mo. If the palm is tall (4 metres or more) tie up the fronds around the palm trunk when re planting the palm. Remove them later if they die. Leave a root ball extending at least 8 inches from the base of the trunk in all directions for palms up to 16 feet. When is the best time to transplant a sapling? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 385,739 times. What sort of soil should I use for a Rowan sapling? With a bit of effort and determination, your young tree will be healthy and growing in no time. Dig up the Palm. Small palms, however, will present far less of a problem. Leave the support lumber in place for about a year. 4 Dig up the palm using a shovel. Add dolomitic limestone to raise the pH of low-magnesium soils. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Place the palm in the hole (you will likely need someone to help you with this part) and shovel the dirt back in, tamping it down to remove air pockets. Leave a root ball of at least 16 inches in all directions for larger palms. Palm tree transplanting is popular with our commercial customers but we also provide the service for residential customers on occasion as well. Going onto private property or state/provincial federal park lands to remove trees is illegal in many countries, such as the United States, Australia and Canada. 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. A long slow trickle from a hose will allow the plant plenty of time to absorb the water. % of people told us that this article helped them. Don't water so much that you wash the soil from the roots. Water the tree slowly and thoroughly after the hole is filled. Do plenty of research on pruning your specific type of tree before getting started. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Because of this lack of a large root ball, support bracing is required after transplant. Once you’ve dug up your sapling, dig a hole 2-3 times as big as its root ball in your new location. 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. ", 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. The other end of the lumber pieces should heel into the soil, making a tepee-shaped support structure. Hardiness zones are the regions in a country that are grouped together based off of similar climate conditions. Thanks! Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Place the sapling in the bottom of the hole and fill it in with soil. 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. The base of the trunk should always be at the same depth it was at the original site. Dig up 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) of root ball for every 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the tree's trunk diameter. Keeping stakes in the ground can hinder or damage a growing trunk. Before digging up the Palm, it is important to pay attention to the seasons of growth of the plant. Carefully dig into the soil as you circle around the palm's trunk. Dig a hole that is twice as deep and wide as the expected root ball. If the ground is firm enough and has moisture, you can cut around and down below the main root mass and remove it intact without disturbing the roots. It is entirely possible to repot or transplant a ponytail palm, no matter how large it is. Sarah Moore has been a writer, editor and blogger since 2006. Ideally, choose a time when it has been raining for a day or two and the forecast calls for more rain. Nail long pieces of lumber at roughly a 45-degree angle to these supports, again modifying their length if necessary. 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. When settled, the part of the tree that is between the roots and trunk should be 1 inch under the soil's surface. Remove the stakes after 1-2 years, once your tree's roots are established. Dig a hole at the new planting site that is 1 foot wider and as deep as the root ball of your robellini palm. The aeration in the soil will keep the palm happy and help prevent transplant shock. Should I prune my tree back to a certain height to encourage growth? Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. If you're fertilizing in the fall, do so after leaves have fallen. It may be difficult, and I would recommend getting a professional arborist to do the job. They are not to fussy about their position in sunlight or partial shade. Insert a mechanical spade into the soil approximately 3 feet away from the tree's trunk. Try to avoid fertilizing when there is the risk of a frost, though, as this can kill the sapling's new growth. I'm happy to say that now I think I can save a few. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. This article answered all our questions.Our oak sapling is too close to our house. 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. Water your potted queen palm tree the day before you plan to transplant it. 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. Mmm... "Very helpful, thank you! Make sure your sapling is no more than 2-inches thick to give it the best chance of taking to its new environment. Limit yourself to trees with trunk diameters that are 2 inches (5.1 cm) or less for the best results. I'm on a construction site where everything is going to be removed. This article has been viewed 385,739 times. It can also grow to heights of 40 or 50 feet, which makes transplanting older specimens difficult. Conversely, aluminum sulfate additions lead to instantaneous pH decreases that are difficult to control. Palm trees can be an exception to most of the rules above. Make sure it is deep enough to partially cover the roots. You can also measure the root ball after digging it out for better accuracy. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Trees that are considered tolerant to shade are white ash, green ash, river birch, sugar maple, red maple, hackberry, Norway maple, American linden, ironwood, and Kentucky coffeetree. You may have to add more soil as the earth settles around the root ball. Whatever the reason, digging up a palm tree probably isn't … 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. Often stress will cause the leaves to drop even if the tree is living. 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. Fill with regular soil and do not amend. Dig about 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 cm) into the soil and touch it with your hands. Dig the hole to the same depth or a little deeper than the palm's container. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Watch for the usual pests if you are in the woods looking for a transplant candidate. For spring fertilization, do so before tree growth begins. Transplanting a small tree (sapling) is a little more involved than simply buying a container grown tree and setting it out—a few extra considerations come into play. They should transplant fine and don't usually have huge roots (I've one in a pot that lived outdoors for 15 years). Leave the palm’s canopy intact. They like lots of organic matter in the soil. For example, tie a colored ribbon to north side of the tree, and plant with this ribbon facing north. It was also helpful with advice about similar soil type, "I have a Autumn Flame Maple sapling that I'm giving to my neighbor. Good varieties to transplant include oak, birch, magnolia, dogwood, eucalyptus and tea tree. It’s best to transplant a young tree in the fall or spring, which will give it more time to lay down its roots, store nutrients, and prepare for growth season. What are the extra costs? "I used this article to grow my apple bonsai trees, it was very helpful and eventually I got edible fruit. Adding fertilizer too early will stimulate the tree to put more growth out than its stressed roots can support. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Sulfur additions can lead to gradual decreases in pH, although its effectiveness varies depending on moisture, temperature, and bacterial presence. Tie them together with nylon landscape strapping or other non-wire rope or cable. ", drainage, and feeding and watering a newly-transplanted sapling. After transplanting, queen palms require constant moisture for root re-establishment. If you see new rosettes forming, it is not the time to transplant. If you succeed in removing the roots still covered with earth, the tree should survive even in the summer. This will reduce transpiration and reduce the palm moving in the wind. When is the best time to do it? Afterwards, continue filling the hole up with the remaining soil. As long as the branches seem supple and flexible, it is probably alive. Remove the twine secured around the soil ball if your transported it with burlap. Thank you. Roll the palm off the tarp and stand it up in the hole. If you are searching for a new tree for your landscape, respect the rights of landowners. You can undertake ponytail palm replanting yourself, as long as you follow the general guidelines. Additions of organic matter such as peat moss, manure, or compost can improve soil drainage. For this reason, a large palm tree can be transplanted with a small root ball. This rootball size provides enough anchorage for the tree at … If it's dry, or even just a bit damp, it needs more water. For more tips from our Gardening co-author, including how to care for your new tree after planting it, read on! They like moist soil. Different plants fare better during different time frames. Since palms lose some of the roots, they are often stressed by lack of sufficient water. For high-magnesium soils, add calcitic limestone to raise pH. Step 2 - Prepare the Transplant Take out the plant with care and by now, you are ready for planting. ", magnolia trees that will surely meet their doom. So, prior to digging, get the soil moist around the palm. 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. Decide whether this is a job you can do yourself before you can begin. Perhaps you're redoing your landscape and need to transplant your palm. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. In the meantime, should we keep them dormant, or plant in containers on our patio? This way the palm tree doesn’t have to cope with frost besides to the damage already taken by the transplantation. 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 Best Time To Transplant Trees. Remove any wires or string from the stakes before they begin to cut into the tree as it grows. Also, pre-dig the hole in … Trees; Lawn × Flowers; Structures ... Use care not to over-water the soil so that it is muddy, too soft, or overall too impractical to work in to dig and transplant the palm. This will loosen the loosen the soil around the roots and allow air to reach them, causing them to dry out. By using our site, you agree to our. Consistently watering for several days before you transfer the plant will help the soil stay clumped to the plant's root ball. Finally, use the excess soil to create a 3-inch dam about 2 feet from the trunk to keep water from draining away. Use a round-point shovel to cut a circle around its root system and be careful to keep its root ball intact when you lift it out. How to Dig Up a Sago Palm Step 1: Prepare the New Planting Hole Prepare a new planting hole that has well-drained soil in sun to partial shade. These dams are especially useful for dry soil. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide, and lower the palm into it without the burlap. Transplanting palm trees makes a great instant and dramatic landscape feature. The easy and cheapest way of transplant a palm tree without a machine or a crane.. Never nail anything directly into a palm's trunk. Although it does tolerate transplanting, it is a soft palm that damages easily, so you must handle it carefully. Can I dig up a sapling and relocate it to fit my needs? 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. 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. There are ficus trees and. 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. "Hopefully, I will be able to save a couple ficus and magnolia trees off our construction site that will soon be, "Thank you! If the palm is over 30 gallon, you will need a tractor or a crane depending on the size supporting and lifting the palm. Saplings with large taproots and large roots extending from the trunk are likely unsuitable for transplanting. The transplantation: digging out. These include snakes and wild animals, ticks that can carry diseases, insects like hornets, bees, and wasps, and poison oak, ivy, and sumac. Avoid removing any of the canopy if the leaves look healthy. 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. Never dig up a sago when the plant is growing new leaves. Bundle up the remaining fronds on the palm so that they are clustered together in a bundle straight up from the trunk. Make sure your young tree is well watered. I love that I now have the tools to do it correctly and hope for these trees living at my home. Be aware of the local regulations and do the right thing—these laws are there to protect our forests for everyone's future. References Moistening the soil will make digging easier and help to keep the palm's root mass intact. Water the soil around the palm tree slowly and deeply the day before you plan to dig up the palm tree. Water the transplant site deeply two to three times after transplanting to minimize transplant shock. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Anything bigger should be transplanted by an experienced contractor. Maybe you've discovered you have a valuable tree, such as a large Canary Island Palm, and you want to sell it. Visual aids provided are so much better than what's available elsewhere online. This article gave us some good tips to move it, "It showed me what I did wrong. The "drip line" created by a mature tree or a specific breed should dictate their spacing. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. It doesn't have to be a huge rain, drizzling/sprinkling off and on will be fine. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball of the palm. Dig underneath the root ball and pull the tree up and out of the ground. Wrap the root ball in burlap as you transport it to its new home using a cart, dolly or muscle power. Avoid shaking the root ball during transportation. Limit yourself to trees with a trunk diameter of 2 inches (5.1 cm) or less. {"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":"