How to Replant a Palm

Determine the location where you will replant the palm. Not all varieties of palm tree are equally tolerant of the sun. Some palms actually prefer shady conditions, rather than full sun exposure. Know what kind of palm you are replanting, and the best location for transplanting. Most types of palm trees do not tolerate cool or breezy weather well. Bouts of frost may weaken a tree, leaving it vulnerable to disease or insects. Check with your local nursery or garden center for advice if you are not sure about replanting the tree in your area.

Dig a hole for replanting the palm roughly about twice the diameter of the root ball. Make the hole deep enough to set the root-initiation zone 1 inch below the soil surface. The root-initiation zone is the section of the palm tree trunk from which the roots grow. It looks like a v-shaped area at the base of the trunk. If a palm is planted too high, new roots may not be able to go deeply enough into the soil to anchor the tree firmly, making it susceptible to storm winds that could blow it over. There is no need to remove any roots that may be circling the root ball. Place the root section of the palm into the hole.

Feed the replanted palm for the first six months after transplanting it using a higher nitrogen fertilizer than you would normally give an in-ground palm. This will help the palm re-establish itself more quickly and encourage the roots to spread out in the soil. Palm trees have special needs that must be met with specially formulated fertilizers. These maintenance fertilizers contain Nitrogen and other nutrients for slow release. Apply the fertilizer according to the manufacturer's instructions on the packaging. Local home supply and garden centers will answer any questions regarding the appropriate type of fertilizer for the palm. Fill the hole with soil, covering the root section.

Sprinkle the palm fertilizer onto the soil surface surrounding the palm root ball, extending the fertilizer out by 6 inches beyond this area around the tree.

Provide regular water to the replanted palm until it has rooted out into the soil. This will take six to eight months. In the wild, palm trees are only found near areas with abundant and continuous supplies of water. Make sure the tree will receive enough water, as a newly replanted palm needs to be watered frequently while it establishes itself.