Strengthening our Community Tree Canopy Through Education

Module #8: Transplanting Trees & Palmsin 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 & Palmsin the Urban Landscape

Laura Sanagorski, Environmental Horticulture Extension Faculty