Transplanting Sego Palms
Norman asks Phil The Gardener;
I have a nine foot sego palm growing at the end of my
garden.
It has two trunks and makes fan shaped fronds. It is growing
too near my gutters and roof and I was thinking about
transplanting it. Can you give me any ideas on how to do this
without killing the palm. I have had it for several years.
Also can it be split? Thank you for your time and answer.
Phi The Gardener’s reply;
Sego Palms
We have transplanted several Sego Palms in Modesto CA with great success. Transplanting Sego Palm ‘Cycads’ is very easy and fairly risk
free as long as you plan ahead. It is best to move the tree during the
early spring or winter when the plant is not actively growing.
Dig a trench at least 12 to 18 inches away from the trunk all
the way around the tree, and at least 12 to 18 inches below
the ground, deeper if necessary it never hurts to keep as
much of the root system as possible.
If the sego palm is 9 feet tall you will need a lot of manpower
or a mechanical means to move the tree. You may need to
splint the trunk to keep it from bending.
You can divide the the tree but this can increase the chance
of killing one or more of them. I would not recommend it.
How deep to plant Sego Palm?
Replant it back to the same depth or even a couple of inches
higher. Too deep and you will kill it. Water it in to make sure
you get the soil settled around the roots and no air pockets.
After it is planted make sure it doesn’t get too much water a
little on the dry side is better than too wet.
For more information go to: Transplanting Sego Palms
Happy Gardening
