Question
QUESTION: Nick: I live in Miami, Florida and had a 40 ft Royal Palm Tree transplanted 5/9/09 (about 40 days ago). I have been watering once a day at 8 AM and built a berm around as you explained in an earlier response. The persons that transplanted it left 8 leaves plus the shute in the center. Should most leaves have been cut for the tree to grow better? Also, the root ball was about 18" all around, would this be enough? What can I do to help this tree survive? Is the some liquid nutrition or other food that can be added?






ANSWER: Hi Juan, right now all you can do is keep it properly irrigated, the root system you mentioned sounds somewhat limited, but as long as it is kept watered it should make it, but be prepared for it to look somewhat dilapidated for awhile; the fronds may brown out and you may end up with just the center spear looking viable, but it takes time for the roots to take hold and its imperative that it be staked properly, so our frequent storms and the winds they generated don't continually compromise this effort. Staking means building a collar around the trunk and holding it in place with straps, then nailing into those straps with the support wood; never , ever! nail into the trunk itself. The fronds that were left on are fine, they will probably (as I mentioned..) brown out as the tree goes through its stress period, but don't be alarmed, just stay the course and keep it firm in its spot and watered, luckily, Mother Nature can help you out this time of the season. Watch that center spear, thats the tale of tape to whether it is going to make it or not. It is braced I hope, for this is imperative, that root system must be kept intact without disturbance..Nick

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Nick: 1) Is watering once a day in the morning at 7-8 AM fine? I usually open the water open for 10 to 15 minutes and let the berm area fill-up with water.
2)Can I cut some of the leaves that are browning? Would this remove stress from the Palm Tree?
3)Is there a problem that they cut about a foot from the center spear? When should it start to open?
4)In referrence to the stacking, Yes, it is well stacked and the root system has been kept intact. There were not nails driven into the trunk!
5)Is there any liquid nutrition that I should add?

Answer
The irrigation sequence you have in place in fine, but I would be careful not to inundate the roots with water, especially if your soil retains it at all, just enough so they don't dry out completely; if the fronds are completely brown, then you can cut them, this will reduce wind resistance that could disturb the roots; I don't really know what question 3 means, but it sounds like the Palm has been braced properly. Right now isn't the right time for fertilizing, the main issue now is getting those roots to expand and locking the Palm in place; those braces need to stay in place for up to a year.