Q. We have a palm tree, perhaps a Mexican fan palm, that
was planted close to a wall and I have to move it because the wall is damaged. I’m
guessing the palm was planted 10-15 years ago. Can the palm be transplanted or
is it a loss?
was planted close to a wall and I have to move it because the wall is damaged. I’m
guessing the palm was planted 10-15 years ago. Can the palm be transplanted or
is it a loss?
A. You have two problems with that palm; it is too close
to a wall which makes moving it very difficult and it requires a crane if you
want it moved. Moving it will be very expensive and it will not be worth,
monetarily, transplanting it to a new hole. If you decide to move it anyway
then you would move it during the warm spring months or even summer but avoid moving
it during fall and winter.
to a wall which makes moving it very difficult and it requires a crane if you
want it moved. Moving it will be very expensive and it will not be worth,
monetarily, transplanting it to a new hole. If you decide to move it anyway
then you would move it during the warm spring months or even summer but avoid moving
it during fall and winter.
 |
| Wall cracking because of roots lifting the wall. This is typically not the case with Palm trees but the trunks of some palm trees can be a problem. |
Palm
trees are full of water and fan palms can run from 200 to 500 pounds for every
foot of trunk depending on the diameter of the trunk. Palm trees with larger
diameter trunks can weigh 1000 pounds or more per foot. This does not include
the weight of the root ball.
trees are full of water and fan palms can run from 200 to 500 pounds for every
foot of trunk depending on the diameter of the trunk. Palm trees with larger
diameter trunks can weigh 1000 pounds or more per foot. This does not include
the weight of the root ball.
Cut your
losses and have it removed. Unfortunately palms do not burn very well and are
not used for firewood since it produces little heat when burned and burn
quickly when dried. The wood does not compost very well either.
losses and have it removed. Unfortunately palms do not burn very well and are
not used for firewood since it produces little heat when burned and burn
quickly when dried. The wood does not compost very well either.