How to Plant a Queen Palm Tree

Queen palm trees (Syagrus romanzoffiana) are native to South America and now widely used in areas such as California and Florida. When grown, these trees tower 50 feet into the air. The Queen Palm is cold tolerant to 18 degrees but enjoys the full sun, it is best grown in zones of 10 or higher. It has a smooth gray trunk and is topped with a double row of dark, glossy, green fronds. It will bear a sphere shaped fruit in the early summer, sometimes reaching six feet in length. The Queen palm is often used to frame views and it grows well in many areas when it is properly cared for. Read on to learn how to plant a Queen palm tree.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Queen Palm
• Measuring tape
• Material for bracing the tree
• Digging equipment
• Soil amending materials

1. Check for underground utilities in the area you intend to place the Queen palm tree prior to beginning.

2. Dig a hole 4 to 6 inches larger than the container width. Backfill the hole with 2 to 4 inches of sand at the bottom. If you are planting more than one, space them about 20 to 30 feet apart.

3. Place the tree in the hole by lifting it, if possible. Remove the root ball cover and expose the roots. Do not shake the soil from the roots. Put the tree in the hole, leaving the top of the root ball exposed by 2 to 3 inches above the ground.

4. Backfill around the root ball with an even mix of sand and original soil. Add bone meal or triple super phosphate into the soil mix. The soil pH requirements range from 6.1 to 6.5, mildly acidic to 6.6 to 7.5, neutral.

5. Firmly tamp down the soil around the root ball to eliminate air pockets.

6. Build a 2 to 3 inch berm with a diameter of 3 to 4 feet around the tree.

7. Wrap the trunk with a large piece of burlap from the base up to about ¼ of the trees height. This will stop the tree from chafing. If the tree gets damaged, insects will infiltrate it eventually destroying the tree.

8. Temporarily brace the trunk of the tree until the roots become established. Drive stakes on three sides of the palm tree and fasten them to blocks of wood that are tied to the trunk with tie wire.

9. Fill the well made by the berm with 2 to 3 inches of mulch to keep the palms roots cool and moist. Place your rock ground cover over the mulch.

10. Make sure the soil has adequate drainage or the tree will fail. Water the tree thoroughly and keep the tree watered as necessary. Usually it requires daily watering for the first few weeks, then taper off.

Tips & Warnings

• Use power equipment with large trees.
• If using a machine to lift the tree, secure it with a nylon strap.