Palm Tree Care Basics

There are palm trees that appear to be the same for years on end without ever growing an inch. Other palm trees when transplanted are bound for a slow death that could take years until they fade away. The most important thing for a palm tree to grow healthy and show their natural beauty is the quality of soil where they are put in.

In growing cities where transplanting ornamental palm trees is a common rule, sometimes the soil where they are transplanted to is nutrient deficient, too compacted and asphyxiating due to asphalt and cement in these new or renovated urban areas.

One other of the many fatal mistakes is planting palm trees in heavy clay soil. Heavy clay soil will asphyxiate the roots as well as for good water drainage with this type of soil is almost non-existent.

If this is the case than the ground around the palm tree should be dug up and substituted with nutrient rich good draining soil mixed with sand.

Before doing this soil replacement be sure you stake up the palm with three or four long two by fours, cables or heavy ropes just in case any unexpected winds pass by and cause the palm to tip over.

After this soil change the result will be radically visible in a few weeks.

While you´re there, adding some mycorrhizal root booster will greatly improve the palm. This mycorrhizal root booster is a natural fungi that co-exists with tree roots and plants in nature.

This will increase the root area of a plant or tree considerably by helping it to carry on and grow naturally even if under conditions of stress.

Another of the most common problems with palms is caused by a lack of nutrients or inappropriate fertilization.

Since palms grow better in sandy soils, which in turn have good drainage, nutrients can seep away easily from the reach of roots. There are on the market fertilizers that you can get specifically for palms.

Weeds, grass or even flowers too close to the base of the trunk of a palm, steal nutrients as well. Make sure you have at least one meter clear all around the tree. Place some gravel or wood chips on this area.

The correct amount of water for healthy palm tree growth is also essential. Pending on your location and weather, palm trees need deep watering but just on occasion.

Watering your palm just a bit every day in the summer could be a mistake. The top roots could be getting water while deep anchor roots could tend to turn upwards trying to reach for that important moisture and in turn provoke your palm tree to develop more shallow roots. This is one of the main reasons palm trees tip over during heavy winds.

As the palm tree grows, the older leaves will turn brown and die. They will eventually fall off in time, but you can always make your palm tree look nicer and as well make it grow faster.

For more information on cutting palms you can visit Palm Tree Trimming.