If you have palm trees on your property or are considering planting some, you should understand how they grow so you can give them the loving care they deserve.
In this blog post, a trusted tree service company in Malvern focuses on palm tree root systems. If you’ve been asking questions like, “Do palm trees have deep roots?” or, “Can palm tree roots damage my home’s foundation?” you’ll find the answers here.
Understanding How Palm Tree Roots Grow
Unlike most tree roots, palm tree roots don’t grow straight down. They often grow horizontally and spread out in the topsoil area. The root depth hardly goes beyond 12-36 inches.
The roots try to spread as far away from the trunk as possible to maximize nutrient and water absorption. Since palm tree roots usually remain close to the soil surface, how do these trees withstand extreme weather conditions with their towering heights?
Palm tree adaptation is different from most other tree species, which depend on thick, deep roots for stability. Most palm trees depend on a dense, superficial, fibrous root network for support. The trees’ fine, tightly-packed root networks can efficiently disperse any forces that act on their trunks.
Should You Trim Palm Tree Roots During Planting?
Do palm trees have deep roots? Now that you know the answer, it also pays to understand how to handle the roots when planting your palm tree. Trimming palm roots before planting is usually not a brilliant idea.
Different palm tree species respond differently to root trimming, and some species may not survive this procedure when young. It’s best to consult a qualified plant physiology expert to advise on whether or not to trim your palm roots before planting.
Also, the development and structure of palm roots differ from other trees. For this reason, you won’t have to deal with tangled root masses and pot-binding. Once you plant your palm, it’ll eventually replace the old roots with new ones.
How To Water Your Palm Tree Roots
Proper watering is essential to help your palm tree adapt to its new environment. You want to ensure the soil around the tree’s root ball has no air pockets.
You can do that by using water to push soil into every available space when backfilling the planting hole. This process helps reduce the amount your soil will settle, and you won’t worry about water filling large voids.
You should also provide your palm’s roots with adequate moisture. Constructing a shallow, raised soil ring around the tree’s root zone perimeter will help ensure water reaches the root system. This ring makes sure the water flows inward to the root ball and doesn’t spread across the ground.
What’s more, you must maintain proper soil conditions. The soil should drain well since having standing water can be disastrous for your palm.
If water pools up in the perimeter ring and fails to drain, consider reducing the amount of water you’re using. You don’t want waterlogged soil to stress or suffocate your young palm. The soil needs to stay evenly moist for a couple of months to allow your palm tree to establish itself.
Contact Your Local Tree Experts for Assistance
Do palm trees have deep roots? If you need more information on this and other issues about palm trees, talk to the professionals at Urban Jacks Tree Service. We offer a broad range of services, including:
- Tree Removal
- Tree Cabling and Bracing
- Root Removal and Stump Grinding
Contact us at (501) 547-4018 to request a free estimate or to learn about how long it takes trees to grow in Malvern, AR.
