How to Transplant a Large Canary Palm

Preparing The Canary Palm

• 1

  Use a hose to moisten the rootball of the Canary palm. This ensures that the soil will cling to the roots, keeping the rootball intact.

• 2

  Use a sterile, sharp knife to remove dead leaves from the Canary palm tree.

• 3

  Use the knife to remove about half of the largest, oldest leaves from the tree. This makes it easier to handle and the tree will expend more energy on root development than feeding the leaves.

Preparing The Planting Hole

• 4

  Measure the circumference of the rootball with a measuring tape. Multiply the number by two. This number indicates how wide to dig the planting hole.

• 5

  Measure the rootball from the top to the bottom. This number indicates how deep to dig the hole.

• 6

  Measure out an area on the ground that corresponds to the first number. Mark the area with the hose.

• 7

  Use a garden shovel to dig a hole inside the marked area. Dig to a depth that equals the height of the rootball.

Prepare The Soil

• 8

  Place the soil on a tarp, or in a wheelbarrow, as it is removed.

• 9

  Amend the soil as needed for proper drainage. Add equal amounts of coarse sand and compost to clay soil. Add compost to sandy soil. Add enough materials to equal the amount of original soil.

• 10

  Use a garden shovel and mix new materials with the existing soil.

Planting The Canary Palm

• 11

  Carry the Canary palm tree to the planting hole. For large palm trees, have one person support the tree toward the top of the trunk and have another support the bottom.

• 12

  Set the tree into the planting hole. Have one person support the tree while the other backfills the hole with soil. Ensure that the rootball is completely covered.

• 13

  Thoroughly water the area to remove all air pockets. Add soil as needed.

• 14

  Mound any extra soil around the perimeter of the planting hole. This will prevent water from draining away from the Canary palm. It is important to keep the soil moist while the root system becomes established, which can take up to eight months.

• 15

  Spread a fertilizer high in nitrogen around the planting area.

Support The Transplanted Canary Palm

• 16

  Use Nylon straps to attach short blocks cut from 2-inch by 4-inch boards to the palm tree trunk. Position the wood blocks about a third of the way up the trunk.

• 17

  Place the 2-inch by 4-inch boards toward the tree at a 45-degree angle. Use a handsaw to cut the 2-inch by 4-inch boards if they are too long to accommodate the angle.

• 18

  Nail the tops of the 2-inch by 4-inch support boards to the wood blocks.

• 19

  Ensure that the bottoms of the 2-inch by 4-inch support boards sit firmly on the ground. A strong support system prevents the tree from falling over in strong winds. Leave the support system in place until the root system adequately anchors the tree.