Palms that grow out of the ground...

[Hammer]

They all do right?!

I'm talking about very young palms that are planted, in my case slightly mound planted, and seem to push their base up off the soil surface level and expose the roots. These palms tend to lean over, bending these major roots.

I've tried packing dirt back in only to have it slowly wash away. I have used large rocks to support the palms and prevent erosion.

Each thing I have tried seems to help a little. Trouble is I can't seem to get these palms to permanently "lock in" to the ground.

I tried a couple searches here on PT but didn't find a past thread on the topic.

Curious on your thoughts to fix the lean. I am wondering if there are any short or long term risks to the palm if left uncorrected.

Thanks.

[NApalm]

My Chamberyonia hookeri has always been a little wobbly. When the wind blows it rocks back and forth. I staked it up which has helped heaps. And I read here on ptalk that mounding free draining mulch around the base a little creates a humid environment for new roots to push down and stabilise the plant. I'll be following this thread with interest to see what more experienced ptalkers think.

[Sunnie]

I've wondered this too! I've noticed a few palms where I swear they were planted correctly but now some of the roots are showing.

[Zeeth]

I've seen this with Roystonea a lot, I think it has to do with what kind of native environment they're subjected to. I tend to plant non-heeled palms a little sunken down because of this.

[Hammer]

Anyone else? Anyone?

[KennyRE317]

if my palms are real wobbly i'll just stake them with bamboo sticks and tie them but if you're talking about exposed roots from the soil breaking down i'll always just add more soil in those areas and mulch. some palms take longer to lock in because they don't grow roots from the base as much as they grow from existing roots. my Chambeyronia houailou's all swap around like crazy even being in the same pot for well over a year. i planted one of them a couple of months ago and when i pulled it out of the bucket i noticed that there was no new main root growing from the base and everything between the bottom of the pot to the top was almost empty with little to no root growth, the bottom of the pot was where all the roots were. i've also had situations where plants would lock in real quick so i think it all depends on the species and it's root growing habit

[MattyB]

The exposing of the roots is usually due to the potting soil or backfill breaking down or compacting, giving the impression that the palm has pushed itself up. I guess it doesn't really matter what's going on. What's important is that you first cover up the roots with soil and mulch, and then if the palm is wobbly you should stake it. Imagine a new tender root trying to grow out of the base being constantly abraded from the wobbly action of the palm moving. That root will just die or prune off. Stake it sturdy and mulch it and it'll lock in sooner. Regarding the lean: don't worry about any lean, the palm will straighten itself up no problem and unless it has woody trunk you'll never even know it was leaning in a year or two.

[Darold Petty]

MattyB's advice is (as usual) correct and spot on.

Also, palms grow new roots higher on the base of the stem than the original roots. (See 'adventitious roots' and 'root initiation zone') Last year I had to add 2 inches of mulch around the base of a Hedyscepe. Large, new roots had erupted from the base completely around the trunk circumference higher than the original soil level.