*Variegated* Sabal Palm.

[CoconutGambler352]

Howdy Palmtalk,

I've got an opportunity to get a Variegated Sabal Palm AKA Cabbage Palm. I'm looking for advice/tips for successfully removing it from the ground. 

Should I Root Prune? Should I just remove it all at once, Get it home, place it on top of a tarp, pile dirt around it, keep it in partial sun, keeping a drip irrigation on it? 

Right now it's growing in the woods, You'll see in the photos. 

Any professional Experienced People with Sabal Palm removal Experience?? 

 

[Valhallalla]

I would say that this palm would most likely not survive a transplant at this stage of life. The problem with Sabal palmetto, and I believe most Sabal species as well, is that roots that are cut or damaged will die back completely. Therefore if the palm is dug from the ground any cut roots will die and new ones will have to be established before growth can resume. Until new roots are grown to supply the palm with water and nutrients the palm will depend upon energy it has stored in its trunk to survive.

Typically, Sabals are transplanted from the wild with 10-20 feet or so of trunk so they have sufficient mass to survive until the roots grow back. The roots are pruned back almost totally because they will die anyway. Most or all leaves are removed to minimize water loss through transpiration. This is why you will see recently installed palmettos that look like candle sticks with a minimal root ball. This is also why you will not see smaller palmettos being transplanted. Even when transplanted with this method the failure rate is fairly high and survival is not guaranteed.

Unfortunately, the palmetto in your photo simply does not seem to be large enough to have sufficient stored energy to carry it through. The larger one in the background would be a more suitable candidate for transplanting though of course you desire the variegated one. If you want a variegated palmetto you might be better off purchasing a smaller one that has been container grown.

 

[PalmatierMeg]

Agree with @Valhallalla. At that palm's size the growing point is still deep underground. Almost certainly any attempt to dig it up will fatally damage it. A Sabal needs 4-6' of clear trunk before it can be safe to transplant.

[CoconutGambler352]

Have y'all ever heard of a guy named Chipp Begs in North Florida? Well, he has a very big nursery. He has one section strictly for Smaller Regenerated Sabal Palms. He's got sizes of the same size as this palm I'm asking for help.

They're all potted regenerated Palms. 15gal,30gal,45gal. I'll share a few photos of the little regenerated Sabal Palms he's got.  I've personally had removed a Sabal Minor from the woods and had spear pull. Dosed it with Hydrogen Peroxide And kept it watered. It's currently thriving and it's begun to have another leaf open up

[PalmatierMeg]

Go for it then. 

[Bigfish]

I have attempted to dig several, young S. palmetto from the ground, and so far have managed to kill every single one.  I know it CAN be done, but it doesn’t have a high probability of success.