Bismarck spacing help, side-by-side

[LarryD]

Would like to get opinions about the spacing on my bismarcks, they are about ten feet apart. I've read a recommendation of 15 feet. Am I doomed? Just planted today, should I dig the left one up and move it further left?

Edited October 22, 2022 by LarryD
More info

[tinman10101]

If you don't want the fronds touching I would space them 20 feet apart. My large one is about 15 feet in diameter.

[LarryD]

Thanks, I measured the spacing it's actually 14 feet. I'm seriously thing about moving it a couple more feet.

[Tracy]

15 minutes ago, LarryD said:

Thanks, I measured the spacing it's actually 14 feet. I'm seriously thing about moving it a couple more feet.

My friend Tin is right on the spacing, but it doesn't make your dilemma any easier.  After I read what he wrote and thought for a moment, I recall the first one I planted and later moved.  It didn't survive.  This is a species that is known for being very temperamental about its roots and transplanting.  While they will touch leaves, you will have to decide if you are willing to risk losing the one you move.  Definitely don't dig both to get your spacing.  If you want them further apart, only dig one, and realize that it is a risk you are taking.

If you leave them in the same spot, there is always a chance that if one is blocking the other's sun as they mature, the one being blocked might end up being a little slower, so you would have less overlap.  Not likely, but always a chance.  Good luck with your decision and welcome to PalmTalk.  If you have questions on other palm plantings, consider posting a question first, before planting.  By the way, where are you based, it always helps to get feedback from people in your climate zone when you have questions and there is pretty good coverage through this site's participants. 

[Merlyn]

If you just planted them today, moving them should not be a risk...just don't mess with the roots!  Bismarckia have a habit of croaking if you transplant them or damage too many roots when planting.  So definitely don't "loosen up the rootball" with this species!

As far as planting distance, it depends on the look you are going for.  I have 3 Bismarckia, all in completely different areas.  I measured a few mature ones at around 15' diameter in full sun, but this probably varies a little bit.  As an idea, here's a local entrance to an apartment complex, just after hurricane Ian.  So a lot of the fronds are ratty and beat up from ~40-75mph tropical storm force sustained winds.  I'm not sure how far apart these are, I'm guessing a bit less than 15 feet:

[LarryD]

Thank you all, I moved one, 20 feet distance now, I hope it survives. Fingers crossed.

Follow on question, how long would it be until I can feel confident the move did not kill it?

[Merlyn]

@LarryDif you pulled it out of the hole still in "pot shape," it should be fine.  You just don't want to accidentally stick a shovel down through the pot-shaped rootball when digging it up.  I don't know how to guess on survival/death timing, I'd guess if it's growing ok over the next couple of weeks then it'll be ok.  You can horizontally mark the new spear with a sharpie, and just check to see if it is slowly but consistently growing.  A lot of times palms will do zero spear growth for a month after planting, so don't be too concerned about it doing a lot of nothing for a while.  After about a month you could give them a small (less than 1/2 handful each) of a good "palm special" slow release fertilizer.  After 2 months you could give a "regular dose" of 1.5lb per 100sqft of canopy of fertilizer.

BTW - nice Bullitt, if I'm reading the logo correctly. 

[ruskinPalms]

When they are young they seem to take transplanting with less fuss so you should be ok. As far as overall radius, my two were probably the most horizontal space hogs in my yard before hurricane Ian blew up all the low to mid level fronds. Looking at probably two uneventful years before my bizzies regain their former glory. Did learn that bizzie fronds will wreck anything near them in a wind storm.

[awkonradi]

Please post photos of these as they mature!

[ruskinPalms]

Or don’t move them and add a third as a point in the front and make an equilateral triangle of bizmarckia in your yard and embrace the overlap to make an incredible place to put a bench or hammock under them as they grown up and trunk provided there are not overhead power lines to get in the way of that idea. 

[96720]

I have seen Bismarckia planted as close as 5’ in a triangle of 3 palms you can plant them as close as you want I have some planted 10’ apart and it makes for great shade who says how far to plant them apart in nature?????