Transcript Transplanting Trees and Palms

Strengthening our Community Tree
Canopy Through Education
Module #8: Transplanting Trees & Palms
in the Urban Landscape
Laura Sanagorski, Environmental Horticulture Extension Faculty
Strengthening Our Community Tree Canopy
2012 Urban Forestry Series
This series is a part of a project titled
“Strengthening Our Community Tree Canopy
Through Education”.
This project is made possible by a grant through
the 2011 National Urban and Community
Forestry Grant Program and the Florida
Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services, and the Florida Forest Service.
Transplanting Trees & Palms in
the Urban Landscape
Transplanting Trees
“The size of trees
that can be
relocated is
limited only by
personal will
and financial
resources…”
(Harris, Clark, &
Matheny, 2004)
Photo: UF Laura Sanagorski
Transplanting Trees
“As a general
rule, small
plants
transplant
more
successfully”
(Harris, Clark,
& Matheny,
2004)
Photo: UF Laura Sanagorski
Methods of Transplanting

Ball-in Burlap
 At least 10-12 times
trunk diameter at 6”
above soil
 Depth determined by
root density



Bare Root Ball
Frozen Root Ball*
Bare root*
* Not in South Florida!
Photo: Stephen Davis
Transplanting – Time of Year
Year-round
in South
Florida
 Spring move before
top growth
begins

Photo: Joe Murray, Treebio.com, Bugwood.org
Transplanting - After
Mature trees need
to re-establish in
new location – 3-4
months per 1”
caliper - Very
similar to planting
young trees!
 Ensure first order
root is 10% height of
rootball above grade
 Provide adequate
irrigation

Photo: UF Laura Sanagorski
Transplanting Palms
Transplanting Palms





Usually, root pruning isn’t
necessary, except for
valuable or difficult to
transplant palms (4-6 weeks
prior)
Root ball should extend 8
inches beyond trunk for
single palms less than 16 ft.
tall
Circling roots in palms –
not a concern
Dig moistened soil by hand
or spade
Keep root balls moist
Photo: UF Laura Sanagorski
Transporting Palms



Remove ½ - 2/3
of oldest fronds
prior to moving
to reduce surface
area (water loss)
Remaining
fronds speed root
regeneration
All fronds can be
removed from
Sabal palms
Photo: UF Laura Sanagorski
Transporting Palms



Remaining leaves
should be tied
together to
prevent damage
Splints should be
used for large
trees with soft
wood and heavy
crown, or very
slender palms
Large palms
should only be
lifted with slings
Photo: UF Laura Sanagorski
Planting palms - depth
Photos: UF Laura Sanagorski
Strengthening our Community Tree
Canopy Through Education
Module #8: Transplanting Trees & Palms
in the Urban Landscape
Laura Sanagorski, Environmental Horticulture Extension Faculty