Can I cut a couple of these palm limbs off and replant them?

[Rich Amooi]

Hey! Thanks for your help. 😀 This is one of our favorite palm trees in our yard, but it is starting to get very big, blocking the path to walk around the side of the house. Am I able to saw off a few of those tall limbs and replant them without damaging the tree? If so, is there anything I should know ahead of trying to do such a thing? Do I need to worry about that getting so big near the foundation of the house? My wife will kill me if I have to remove the tree (and I really don't want to), so any advice would be great. Also, don't know what kind of palm this is but we have noticed that most people in the neighborhood have them up against the house, sort of protected from the elements. We live in San Diego, California, and it really does not get very cold here during the winter, so I wasn't sure if that was a coincidence. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much! 🥰

[WaianaeCrider]

Don't know what it is....BUT     IT  IS   NOT   A  PALM.

[Rich Amooi]

Just now, WaianaeCrider said:

Don't know what it is....BUT     IT  IS   NOT   A  PALM.

🤣. I was afraid someone was going to tell me that. 

[idontknowhatnametuse]

I'm pretty sure Schefflera can be reproduced from cuttings.

[Rivera]

Hi Rich, looks like an Australian umbrella tree, or Heptapleurum actinophyllum, formerly schefflera actinophylla. 

Because it's a eudicot and not a palm, the roots will thicken over time. In the subtropics to tropics, I believe they can become problematic. Not sure if the same holds true in southern California, though I'm sure someone more local to you can weigh in.

There are a few around up here in San Francisco, so I think you can consider it fully hardy in San Diego, and thus not in need of special placement. Here in my seaside SF neighborhood, they are more tempered in their growth rate due to predominantly cool temperatures most of the year.

You probably wouldn't threaten the tree by trimming out some branches, and you would slow it down a bit, but it may still present you with future challenges being so close to the house. 

[Looking Glass]

As above…. These are listed as invasive/Do not Plant in South Florida, though they are still widespread and common in yards.  They are more well behaved in non-tropical areas.  They grow huge and fast here.  You can chop them in half or cut the top 2/3rds off, and they quickly regrow in these parts.  Roots can be more problematic to pipes and foundations, as they are not palms. 

https://wildsouthflorida.com/schefflera.html

[WaianaeCrider]

6 hours ago, Looking Glass said:

As above…. These are listed as invasive/Do not Plant in South Florida, though they are still widespread and common in yards.  They are more well behaved in non-tropical areas.  They grow huge and fast here.  You can chop them in half or cut the top 2/3rds off, and they quickly regrow in these parts.  Roots can be more problematic to pipes and foundations, as they are not palms. 

https://wildsouthflorida.com/schefflera.html

Yea, invasive here in the islands as well.  But still get plenty in yards and in the forests.

 

[happypalms]

Argh the heptapleurum actinophyllum the  Australian umbrella tree spectacular octopus like flowers the birds love them tough as nails they take cold temperatures down to 0 degrees Celsius but be warned your one is small so far do yourself a favour and remove it asap it will get rather large and become a problem and if you’re wife doesn’t believe you show her this article and say see the Australians know how big they get but if the wife wants to leave it there we’ll as we know…… 

[SeanK]

I would try rooting a couple green branches, then chainsaw the mother.

1. Try air layering in-place. Peat moss, water, plastic wrap and some string. . . Scrape the new bark off a young branch, pack peat moss or spaghum around the wound, and wrap in plastic.

2. Also try this. Cut a young branch and stick in a potato. Leave two leaves (at max) on it as it tries to establish new roots. 

Cheers,

SK

[PalmsandLiszt]

45 minutes ago, SeanK said:

Cut a young branch and stick in a potato. Leave two leaves (at max) on it as it tries to establish new roots. 

Does this really work? I've seen this claimed in youtube videos, but there's an awful lot of nonsense clickbait on there about this sort of stuff. What happens to the potato if it succeeds?

[John2468]

In my opinion, I think that the potato method is unnecessary.  Just plant the cutting directly in soil with some root stimulant should work.

[Tracy]

14 hours ago, Rich Amooi said:

Hey! Thanks for your help. 😀 This is one of our favorite palm trees in our yard, but it is starting to get very big, blocking the path to walk around the side of the house. Am I able to saw off a few of those tall limbs and replant them without damaging the tree? If so, is there anything I should know ahead of trying to do such a thing? Do I need to worry about that getting so big near the foundation of the house? My wife will kill me if I have to remove the tree (and I really don't want to), so any advice would be great. Also, don't know what kind of palm this is but we have noticed that most people in the neighborhood have them up against the house, sort of protected from the elements. We live in San Diego, California, and it really does not get very cold here during the winter, so I wasn't sure if that was a coincidence. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much! 🥰

I have not personally grown this species but had related species here in coastal North County which had to be removed because the roots became a problem.   I would be concerned about either the sidewalk/patio or foundation seeing how boxed in the plant is.

As others pointed out, you can hack them back and they will regrow quickly.  It would have been better placed further set back from your house.  Sorry we bear bad news.

 

[Rich Amooi]

I'm curious . . . if I cut many of the branches and just leave two or three, will that slow the growth of the roots since there are fewer branches? Or do the roots grow just as fast, no matter the amount of branches.

[John2468]

46 minutes ago, Rich Amooi said:

I'm curious . . . if I cut many of the branches and just leave two or three, will that slow the growth of the roots since there are fewer branches? Or do the roots grow just as fast, no matter the amount of branches.

I think that it would slow the growth of roots because the tree wouldn’t produce enough energy.

Edited October 23, 2023 by John2468

[Silas_Sancona]

3 hours ago, John2468 said:

In my opinion, I think that the potato method is unnecessary.  Just plant the cutting directly in soil with some root stimulant should work.

Agree.. the Potato, whole egg, ..whatever cutting- propagation Youtube / Tik Tok,  gimmick is just that ..a gimmick . Potato method has never worked when i've tried it.  Maybe because i don't put stuff on Youtube, Hahaha

With Scheffs, as mentioned, cut a branch, toss in a pot -w/ or with out rooting hormone, and they usually root pretty easily.  Dump out any 3gal pot of Arbicloa from the big box stores and voila! all are cutting started plants.  If starting cuttings, i'd recommend waiting until spring, unless you have a greenhouse of course..

As far as placement, agree w/ others, these can get big fairly quickly, even in S. Cal.  Roots can be fairly aggressive so i might start some cuttings, place them elsewhere that is far removed from where roots might lift concrete/ get into / under the foundation of a house, etc.. and knock down the " original " plant that is a bit too close to the foundation for comfort..

Definitely an aggressive / invasive spreader ( Birds / other critters spread seed )  That said, to my knowledge, i haven't heard of these appearing outside gardens in S. Cal. ..Though that doesn't mean there aren't random, " feral " specimens around.. ...or that the potential for these to become more of a trouble maker later isn't a legit possibility in S. Cal. 

Can always trim off the flowers ( aren't attractive at all anyway ) as they form to keep the plant from producing seed.


As far as cutting back? it will slow the top down ..briefly.. Roots? a bit less, but not considerably, for long anyway.

[Las Palmas Norte]

[happypalms]

4 hours ago, Rich Amooi said:

I'm curious . . . if I cut many of the branches and just leave two or three, will that slow the growth of the roots since there are fewer branches? Or do the roots grow just as fast, no matter the amount of branches.

Not really slow the growth a big root system will just push up more vegative growth destroy the demon plant it will cost you money later on 

[Rich Amooi]

14 minutes ago, happypalms said:

Not really slow the growth a big root system will just push up more vegative growth destroy the demon plant it will cost you money later on 

Will cost me more how? By having to pay someone to remove it? Or by the damage it causes to the cement and foundation of the house? How many more years are we talking before it gets out of control?

[Rich Amooi]

Just now, Rich Amooi said:

Will cost me more how? By having to pay someone to remove it? Or by the damage it causes to the cement and foundation of the house? How many more years are we talking before it gets out of control?

And what is a demon plant?

[Silas_Sancona]

1 hour ago, Rich Amooi said:

Will cost me more how? By having to pay someone to remove it? Or by the damage it causes to the cement and foundation of the house? How many more years are we talking before it gets out of control?

While it gets some positive reviews over on Dave's Garden, here's a Plant Files observation example of what the roots can do.. Note this is in CA vs. an observation from FL,  where it goes bonkers.





Looking at some of the pictures you'd included, it looks like the roots are already at work lifting part of the adjacent walkway near the plant. I'm sure smaller roots go much further out. I myself wouldn't wait much longer before dealing with it.
 

[Rich Amooi]

I got rid of a few of the branches, and they are very easy to cut with a hand saw. But how would I deal with the root system if I decide to remove all the branches down at the ground level? Do I need to spray or cover the fresh-cut stumps with something, to kill the roots and prevent this from growing back? If so, what can I use that is not too toxic since we have a dog who goes outside a few times a day? Not sure if I need to apply something to the stumps, then cover to keep the dog out of it, since she likes to sniff around. Because of the tiny space between the house and the walkway, it doesn't seem feasible to have someone grind the stumps down or try to dig them out. 

[Silas_Sancona]

22 minutes ago, Rich Amooi said:

I got rid of a few of the branches, and they are very easy to cut with a hand saw. But how would I deal with the root system if I decide to remove all the branches down at the ground level? Do I need to spray or cover the fresh-cut stumps with something, to kill the roots and prevent this from growing back? If so, what can I use that is not too toxic since we have a dog who goes outside a few times a day? Not sure if I need to apply something to the stumps, then cover to keep the dog out of it, since she likes to sniff around. Because of the tiny space between the house and the walkway, it doesn't seem feasible to have someone grind the stumps down or try to dig them out. 

From what i've read, even " painting " a stump with some sort of herbicide may not kill it.   If you wanted to attempt it after removing the base / root crown, you could cover the treated, cut root ends with some sort of thick plastic bag to keep your dog from accessing the applied chemical.  ..A squirt bottle and abrupt " Leave it! " also works ( Have a Basenji that learned this quickly as a pup, lol )

..At the size it is atm, Something like a Sawzall would probably work to get out the stump / ...and as much of the main roots as possible  Then, it's just a matter of seeing if anything sprouts from the cut root ends and dealing with them as they pop up. 

As an  example of how tough these things can be, seedlings will often sprout in the crevices of attached boots / leafstalk bases of some palms ( Like Canary Islnd. Dates, for example ) and in branch crotches of other dicot trees, and send roots down to the ground, much like many Ficus can / do, in wetter areas.

Edited October 23, 2023 by Silas_Sancona
edit

[John2468]

Another way is drilling deep into the stump and  apply the herbicide, then cover it with a thick plastic bag.

[happypalms]

6 hours ago, Rich Amooi said:

Will cost me more how? By having to pay someone to remove it? Or by the damage it causes to the cement and foundation of the house? How many more years are we talking before it gets out of control?

You can remove it yourself cut all the limbs back as hard as you can but the damage it will cause to your foundations and pathway plus drainage pipes the cost of a plumber plus repairs to foundation’s drainage and pathway if you do remove it yourself drill holes in the stump and pour a herbicide into the holes plus paint the exposed cuts with the herbicide and a demon plant is a plant out of control it’s an easy job and have no fear in doing it yourself job labour intensive removing the limbs the stump will rot away in time and then you can plant a nice small chamaedorea adscedans if the sunlight is not to bright 

[PalmatierMeg]

19 hours ago, Las Palmas Norte said:

This. That garbage plant is W-A-Y too close to your house. Get rid of it before it damages the building’s foundation. Do it yesterday. And do not replant it on your property.

[Rich Amooi]

Thanks so much for your advice, everyone! I appreciate it very much! 🥰

[Cindy Adair]

The good news is that after you finish the sad and difficult job of removing it, you can plant a palm there. 

 

[Rich Amooi]

14 minutes ago, Cindy Adair said:

The good news is that after you finish the sad and difficult job of removing it, you can plant a palm there. 

 

 We love our palms. We have six king palms, three pygmy date palms, and two queen palms on our property. 😀 

[iDesign]

Hi Neighbor!

I love Schefflera in the right setting... and sadly this isn't it. 

I had an even tinier spot in my yard with a big tree in it, and was pleased to learn there are stump grinders designed specifically for small spots. Though with our most recent stumps my husband is trying the "drill holes and insert plant killer" method. Here's a photo of a stump being removed from one of our tight spots...

And here's what we put in its place (excuse the rocks and trash bin, as we're working in this area right now)...

And just for fun, here's your space with the Schefflera being replaced with the same plants (Chamaedorea + Ti's)... 

I also added two rare palms to the right side of your yard...

- Chrysalidocarpus leptocheilos (aka "Teddy Bear Palm")
- Licuala sumawongii (sometimes called "Licuala elegans")

3 hours ago, Rich Amooi said:

 We love our palms. We have six king palms, three pygmy date palms, and two queen palms on our property. 😀 

King Palms are awesome, Pygmy dates are overused but still nice, Queens are cute when young but are messy and look bad more often than not in our area (I had ours removed).

If planting more palms, I highly suggest going with less common ones (which are unfortunately not sold at Big Box stores). If you decide to go that route there are plenty of people ready to help on this forum.

Good luck!

* And yes, you can easily propagate Schefflera via cuttings, so a possible compromise with your wife might be to take large cuttings and place them in a much more appropriate spot... like FAR from the house - perhaps in a distant corner of the yard.  That way she can still enjoy her favorite plant. However I'm betting she just wants something "tropical" here, and if so maybe show her the above mock-up to see if she might be open to something still tropical but more appropriate for that space.

[happypalms]

15 hours ago, iDesign said:

Hi Neighbor!

I love Schefflera in the right setting... and sadly this isn't it. 

I had an even tinier spot in my yard with a big tree in it, and was pleased to learn there are stump grinders designed specifically for small spots. Though with our most recent stumps my husband is trying the "drill holes and insert plant killer" method. Here's a photo of a stump being removed from one of our tight spots...

And here's what we put in its place (excuse the rocks and trash bin, as we're working in this area right now)...

And just for fun, here's your space with the Schefflera being replaced with the same plants (Chamaedorea + Ti's)... 

I also added two rare palms to the right side of your yard...

- Chrysalidocarpus leptocheilos (aka "Teddy Bear Palm")
- Licuala sumawongii (sometimes called "Licuala elegans")

King Palms are awesome, Pygmy dates are overused but still nice, Queens are cute when young but are messy and look bad more often than not in our area (I had ours removed).

If planting more palms, I highly suggest going with less common ones (which are unfortunately not sold at Big Box stores). If you decide to go that route there are plenty of people ready to help on this forum.

Good luck!

* And yes, you can easily propagate Schefflera via cuttings, so a possible compromise with your wife might be to take large cuttings and place them in a much more appropriate spot... like FAR from the house - perhaps in a distant corner of the yard.  That way she can still enjoy her favorite plant. However I'm betting she just wants something "tropical" here, and if so maybe show her the above mock-up to see if she might be open to something still tropical but more appropriate for that space.

Perhaps a row of chamaedorea atrovirens but idesign has nailed it for you 

[Rich Amooi]

2 hours ago, iDesign said:

Hi Neighbor!

I love Schefflera in the right setting... and sadly this isn't it. 

I had an even tinier spot in my yard with a big tree in it, and was pleased to learn there are stump grinders designed specifically for small spots. Though with our most recent stumps my husband is trying the "drill holes and insert plant killer" method. Here's a photo of a stump being removed from one of our tight spots...

And here's what we put in its place...

And just for fun, here's your space with the Schefflera being replaced with the same plants (Chamaedorea + Ti's)... 

I also added two rare palms to the right side of your yard...

- Chrysalidocarpus leptocheilos (aka "Teddy Bear Palm")
- Licuala sumawongii (sometimes called "Licuala elegans")

King Palms are awesome, Pygmy dates are overused but still nice, Queens are cute when young but are messy and look bad more often than not in our area (I had ours removed).

If planting more palms, I highly suggest going with less common ones (which are unfortunately not sold at Big Box stores). If you decide to go that route there are plenty of people ready to help on this forum.

Good luck!

Thanks for helping me visualize, neighbor! I removed almost all of the branches and am having someone grind out the stump tomorrow. Will post an update soon. 

[iDesign]

52 minutes ago, Rich Amooi said:

Thanks for helping me visualize, neighbor! I removed almost all of the branches and am having someone grind out the stump tomorrow. Will post an update soon. 

Wow, that was fast! Sorry if it felt like pressure... and condolences to your wife for the loss of a favorite plant. 😢

As a FYI the fact that lots of neighbors have it against their house doesn't validate the placement. Lots of people in our area have Ficus right against their house as well, which according to one review I read has "tentacles that can crack pipes and sprinkler lines, buckle pavement, invade pools, clog toilets and pop bathroom tiles off the wall". Not sure Schefflera is quite THAT bad, but it's up there on the "invasive" list. Better to deal with it now than after it's done serious damage.

---

The fun part is going to be deciding what to put in its place! I know there's a strong "natives only" vibe in San Diego right now, but as long as you're smart with the irrigation you can create a wonderfully tropical (and cooling) oasis. It's like a secret no one here talks about... the fact that San Diego is one of the most plant-friendly gardening zones in the country (as long as you can give them a little water). Get a good watering system in place, and you can have your own paradise.

See the reddish-orange areas in the map below? Yeah, where we live is among the most plant-friendly places in the country. Yet everyone is planting agaves, cactus and concrete... 🌵

Have fun with your redesign, and feel free to drop by if you'd ever like to geek out over tropical plants (first area we've finished is below - much more to come)...

[DonPalm]

On 10/24/2023 at 1:03 PM, iDesign said:

Hi Neighbor!

I love Schefflera in the right setting... and sadly this isn't it. 

I had an even tinier spot in my yard with a big tree in it, and was pleased to learn there are stump grinders designed specifically for small spots. Though with our most recent stumps my husband is trying the "drill holes and insert plant killer" method. Here's a photo of a stump being removed from one of our tight spots...

And here's what we put in its place (excuse the rocks and trash bin, as we're working in this area right now)...

And just for fun, here's your space with the Schefflera being replaced with the same plants (Chamaedorea + Ti's)... 

I also added two rare palms to the right side of your yard...

- Chrysalidocarpus leptocheilos (aka "Teddy Bear Palm")
- Licuala sumawongii (sometimes called "Licuala elegans")

King Palms are awesome, Pygmy dates are overused but still nice, Queens are cute when young but are messy and look bad more often than not in our area (I had ours removed).

If planting more palms, I highly suggest going with less common ones (which are unfortunately not sold at Big Box stores). If you decide to go that route there are plenty of people ready to help on this forum.

Good luck!

* And yes, you can easily propagate Schefflera via cuttings, so a possible compromise with your wife might be to take large cuttings and place them in a much more appropriate spot... like FAR from the house - perhaps in a distant corner of the yard.  That way she can still enjoy her favorite plant. However I'm betting she just wants something "tropical" here, and if so maybe show her the above mock-up to see if she might be open to something still tropical but more appropriate for that space.

You Hawaiian Tis are HUGE!  I have never seen them soooo tall!!!
Love your garden..super tropical!!

[Rich Amooi]

On 10/25/2023 at 3:35 PM, iDesign said:

Wow, that was fast! Sorry if it felt like pressure... and condolences to your wife for the loss of a favorite plant. 😢

As a FYI the fact that lots of neighbors have it against their house doesn't validate the placement. Lots of people in our area have Ficus right against their house as well, which according to one review I read has "tentacles that can crack pipes and sprinkler lines, buckle pavement, invade pools, clog toilets and pop bathroom tiles off the wall". Not sure Schefflera is quite THAT bad, but it's up there on the "invasive" list. Better to deal with it now than after it's done serious damage.

---

The fun part is going to be deciding what to put in its place! I know there's a strong "natives only" vibe in San Diego right now, but as long as you're smart with the irrigation you can create a wonderfully tropical (and cooling) oasis. It's like a secret no one here talks about... the fact that San Diego is one of the most plant-friendly gardening zones in the country (as long as you can give them a little water). Get a good watering system in place, and you can have your own paradise.

See the reddish-orange areas in the map below? Yeah, where we live is among the most plant-friendly places in the country. Yet everyone is planting agaves, cactus and concrete... 🌵

Have fun with your redesign, and feel free to drop by if you'd ever like to geek out over tropical plants (first area we've finished is below - much more to come)...

That is amazing! Would love to see it sometime. We decided to keep this side of the yard simple, a few plants in giant pots because that side yard really doesn't have a lot of space. There is literally only 16 inches of soil width against the house to plant where I just removed that tree. The problem was, it was growing into the cement path so we could not pass. We have more options and space in the back of the yard where we have all of our palms.  Thanks again for your help.