Author Topic: Trachycarpus fortunei roots  (Read 9115 times)

beejay

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Trachycarpus fortunei roots
« on: April 18, 2006, 10:56:15 »
I have to move the above as it has got too wide for its position. Can anyone tell me what sort of roots it has/ how easily it can be moved. It has probably been in the ground about 5 years. Thanks.

Ceratonia

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Re: Trachycarpus fortunei roots
« Reply #1 on: April 18, 2006, 11:52:53 »
They have a fibrous root system, rather than woody roots that true 'trees' have. You get some quite large fleshy roots too, which are easily damaged. I have root pruned some palm trees, including this one, to keep within pot size - and the root system responded by growing lots more, so they're certainly not one of those plants that strongly resents root disturbance.

I would imagine they can be moved OK, without having tried it myself. More mature specimens are hardier, so it's normal to grow them in pots under cover and then plant out when they're a few years old. I've seen plenty of quite large Trachycarpus trees planted out this way, which suggests it's not a problem.

As big a root ball as possible will help obviously and plenty of water until it is re-established.

beejay

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Re: Trachycarpus fortunei roots
« Reply #2 on: April 18, 2006, 20:28:00 »
Thanks very much for that info. I thought it probably had fibrous roots but not aware of the fleshy ones. From what you say it all sounds fairly feasible - will have to see.

Roy Bham UK

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Re: Trachycarpus fortunei roots
« Reply #3 on: April 18, 2006, 21:03:55 »
I would love to see a picture of it, how big was it when you planted it? Was it a seedling or an adult tree? I have several that I have grown from seed and one mature specimen, but I've never transplanted one sorry. :(

I spotted this link that just says transplanting will stunt growth for a year, an interesting link nevertheless. 8) A bit slow loading

http://ourworld.cs.com/hbrahea333/trachy1.html

Or you could put the same question on this site  http://www.ukoasis.co.uk/index.php

beejay

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Re: Trachycarpus fortunei roots
« Reply #4 on: April 18, 2006, 21:48:42 »
Thank you Roy. Will try to get a picture of it for you. We planted it as a "small plant" & did not expect it to grow quite so quickly, or to have such long fronds so it is completely in the way in a small garden now.

beejay

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Re: Trachycarpus fortunei roots
« Reply #5 on: April 19, 2006, 09:01:40 »
Hope this link brings up a couple of pictures that might give you an idea of what it is like. 

http://s29.photobucket.com/albums/c273/beejaytee/Trachycarpus%20fortunei/?sc=4

I think it was about 2ft high when we bought it. It is now 5ft 4ins (1ft 4ins to top of trunk). It had quite a few flowers last year. Actually, I'm talking about transplanting, but don't really have anywhere to transplant it to!

Roy Bham UK

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Re: Trachycarpus fortunei roots
« Reply #6 on: April 19, 2006, 22:58:44 »
Nice tree, shame you have to move it, just think in a few years time it will be considerably higher and its head will be out of your face, just like mine. ;D


beejay

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Re: Trachycarpus fortunei roots
« Reply #7 on: April 20, 2006, 07:52:46 »
Nice one. Yes, mine would be much better if it had got to that stage!

Doris_Pinks

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Re: Trachycarpus fortunei roots
« Reply #8 on: April 20, 2006, 13:37:22 »
Beejay, i moved one a similar size about 3/4 weeks ago, it is now sitting in a tub at my mum's waiting for us to move, so far so good!!
Saw one a couple of feet smaller in a garden center yesterday, they wanted £69.00 for it! :o :o So glad we didn't include it in the sale of the house! ;D ;D
We don't inherit the earth, we only borrow it from our children.
Blog: http://www.nonsuchgardening.blogspot.com/

beejay

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Re: Trachycarpus fortunei roots
« Reply #9 on: April 20, 2006, 15:01:17 »
Hope yours goes well DP. Have palm, will travel. We have now dug it up & it is sitting in a bin bag whilst we consider what to do with it. There are a couple of possible places but it really needs a good space where it can be seen at its best - something we don't have. We are toying with the idea of trying to sell it - much thinking to do. :-\

Doris_Pinks

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Re: Trachycarpus fortunei roots
« Reply #10 on: April 20, 2006, 16:45:05 »
Cor, would fetch a few squid! Shame you can't find it a nice spot though!
We don't inherit the earth, we only borrow it from our children.
Blog: http://www.nonsuchgardening.blogspot.com/

 

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