How to Plant a Palm Tree

Thousands of palm tree species can be found around the world in cold and warm climates. These tall, tropical plants have been found in places such as Switzerland, Africa and Pakistan as well as the southeastern and southwestern United States. Learn how to plant a palm tree in your own yard by following the steps below.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Gardening shovel
• Soil treatment
• Palm tree
• Mulch
• Tree brace

1. Purchase your palm from a local plant nursery. The palm should be potted, balled or burlapped at the root. Keep the plant's root ball moist until you are ready to plant the palm tree into the ground.
2. Using your gardening shovel, dig a hole into ground where you want to plant. Make sure the hole is wide enough for the root ball to fit. Cover the hole area with soil once you've positioned your plant.
3. Add soil treatment to the palm. Mycorrhizal fungi works best for helping the root of the plant absorb the nutrients needed to grow. This liquid treatment comes in a container that resembles an aspirin bottle and can be found at the nursery.
4. Build a soil barrier around the hole. This will form a dam that holds water. Add about 3 inches of organic mulch around the palm tree.
5. Brace your newly planted tree. The tree brace consists of three wooden blocks with two adjustable straps that are designed to protect your new tree from storm and wind damage. You must purchase this brace when you get your palm tree at the nursery. The braces must be placed around the bark.
6. Water your palm tree every day during the first 2 weeks after you've planted it. Then use a hose to "slow soak" the area around the tree to prevent it from drying out. This watering procedure should be done twice a month during the warm weather season and once every 6 months during the colder season.

Tips & Warnings

• Plant your tree during the spring or summer, when it is usually warmer. The soil temperature must be at least 65 degrees.
• You can also add soil treatment to trees that already exist in the ground. However, for best results, it is easier to use the application at first planting.
• Be careful when using lawn mowers around palm trees. Any bark damage may lure insects or cause disease.
• Handle the palm trees with care when transporting them. The bark can be easily damaged. If the bark is damaged, the tree can be ruined by disease and fungus.

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