Why tie newly planted palms upward?

December 11, 2005 3:03 PM

Certain palm trees in the San Francisco area tend to have their palms tied upwards for a while after they're replanted in an urban setting (they're full grown already). I think this has to do with encouraging the roots to grow downward rather than sideways (and disturbing the concrete around them) by not allowing the palms to drip water in a wider circle around the base of the tree but I can't find any information to corroborate this theory. Can anyone with tree-fu help me out with a link or two?
posted by authenticgeek to Science & Nature (3 answers total)

this is just another theory (sorry I have no tree-fu), but I always thought that they tied up palms to transport them because the branches grow so damn fast and fall off all the time.

according to these guys, you generally don't have to worry too much about planting palms near structures. I don't know if that applies to grown palms being moved, though.
posted by carsonb at 4:05 PM on December 11, 2005

yet another hypothesis: branches are tied together to minimize dessication while the roots establish themselves. If you wrap the branches of an Xmas tree that's carried home on the car roof, the tree will last longer, and I'd guess the same effect would hold for palms.
posted by anadem at 4:15 PM on December 11, 2005

Best answer: Water of dug palms is stored in the trunk and lost through the leaves. For this reason, up to half of older living fronds may be removed for transport. The remaining fronds are tied together over the tender bud with a biodegradable twine to protect it from drying and sun scald. (On some species the bud may be actually splinted to protect it from breaking.) Depending on the time of year the palm is planted, the fronds should be left tied around the bud for 2 to 3 months. In arid climates, the chance of the twine actually rotting is slim. When new growth begins to bulge out below the point at which the fronds are tied, the rope may be cut to gradually release the foliage. Leave the old fronds in place for a month more to protect the bud and new leaves. -source
posted by Orb at 7:50 PM on December 11, 2005