Mature date palm twisted roots

[kenio]

Hi there folks, im new to this but i would just like to pick your brains over a situation i have. I have very recently (about 3 weeks ago) just planted a Phoenix date palm of an age of 10 years old, i dug it out of a garden myself but i think now i might have made a mistake regarding the roots. Where it was you would wonder how it done so well giving that the tiny box it was in on top of shilly stones which where on top of a weed membrain! I planted it the following day in a prepped hole and tucked it in with john innes no3 compost, watering the roots in stages as i built up around the roots and levelled it off.  Now it has lost its perfect spines on the leaf tips, thinking now that the bundle of roots should of mabey been cut back a little? But i have heard that its best to leave as much roots intact but then others say cut them back? Its now October though so im just hoping it will make it through the winter, any advice would be great thanks.

It was in north wales and is now in north england.

Ken

[Chester B]

I think you did the right thing not touching the roots, that can seriously set many palms back a few years.  I don't think any palm that size wouldn't experience some sort of transplant shock, it's to be expected.  It may sit there for 2 or 3 years before it starts growing vigorously so be patient.

[Foxpalms]

Leave the roots you don't want to disturb them. Large Phoenix canariensis being taken from the ground are notorious for going into transplant shock. I've transplanted phoenix canariensis in October before here in London though they were smaller.  Keep it well watered for now. I would stop watering it when it starts getting cold as long as there's no prolonged period of time without rain.  Depending on where you are it may or may not take winter damage, for me I can get away with planting palms late because the winters here are very mild. So it's not so important if hardy palms such as phoenix and Washingtonia have settled in or not.  What part of northern England? Along the coast it probably won't need protection, even inland it wouldn't but it might be better if the palm isn't as strong.

[kenio]

19 hours ago, Chester B said:

I think you did the right thing not touching the roots, that can seriously set many palms back a few years.  I don't think any palm that size wouldn't experience some sort of transplant shock, it's to be expected.  It may sit there for 2 or 3 years before it starts growing vigorously so be patient.

Hi Chester, thanks very much for the info and your experience,  i should of looked into this before getting the palm but never knew how temperamental palms can be untill i got a bit concerned about its changes.  Im hoping my drainage is ok aswell but im going to do a drainage test as this new house is a new build so so the ground may be compacted further down.

Thanks again.

Ken

[kenio]

11 hours ago, Foxpalms said:

Leave the roots you don't want to disturb them. Large Phoenix canariensis being taken from the ground are notorious for going into transplant shock. I've transplanted phoenix canariensis in October before here in London though they were smaller.  Keep it well watered for now. I would stop watering it when it starts getting cold as long as there's no prolonged period of time without rain.  Depending on where you are it may or may not take winter damage, for me I can get away with planting palms late because the winters here are very mild. So it's not so important if hardy palms such as phoenix and Washingtonia have settled in or not.  What part of northern England? Along the coast it probably won't need protection, even inland it wouldn't but it might be better if the palm isn't as strong.

Hi there, thanks very much for the reassurance regarding the move at this time of year. Im in carlisle on the scottish border but we are pretty low down and i got the palm from conwy north wales which is also low down so very similar regarding the altitude.  Good to hear others saying similar descriptions after moving these palms so thank you very much, i will keep an eye on any incoming bad weather over the coming months and winter then wrap it up if need be.

Ken