Well, we know that palm roots grow from a root interface zone at the base of the trunk, and do not necessarily divide dichotomously as in regular trees and plants.

The fine rootlets and root tips of regular plants that are constantly dividing and growing are responsible for water and nutrient absorption, but which portion of palm roots do this?

Does it work the same way, where only the tips are active, or are there small root branches along the length of the main roots, or is the entire thick root stucture responsible, or something else?

I read this article, and I'm still confused - it appears that palms grow "simple, fibrous, adventitious roots", which makes it sound like the entire root is active - so why is there such trauma when roots are severed if the entire remaining portion of the root is still doing its job? ???

Wish I could tell you which part of the palm root takes up water and nutrients however, I can tell you why its important not to sever the roots on a palm. When the roots are cut most palms do not regenerate the root like most ''trees'' and it just dies back. Sever too many roots at once and it doesnt give the palm the chance to regrow new roots fast enough.

Mike

I'm no expert on this - but from my experience with 3 different palms, which i took out the ground, while drastically severing the roots - they were "bitching" for 4 - 6 months, but all made it through and doing just fine.

Lots of water (mud like level) on the first two weeks. And contrary to usualy suggested - no chemicals & biological aid (fertilizers and such) on the first 2 months- again from my experiance and due to preceding local now-how advice.

I just did the same drastic severing - the fourth one - today, to Ravenea Rivulari - a more gentle and vulnerable palm - will see if she read this instruction book  

Good Luck

Ronnie

The recovery of palms from root disturbance is highly species dependent.     For example,  Archontophoenix cunninghamiana is extremely difficult to transplant,   whereas A.  alexandrae can often be transplanted and these 2 species are so close they will hybridise !   Bismarckias cannot be transplanted,  but Butia ssp. can be dug up with all roots severed and left out of the ground for months then put back in the ground and will survive quite nicely.

As to the structure of the root.  Each palm root [ of which there may be tens of thousands ] emerge from the base of the palm as a single thick root,  which does not grow in diameter over time like a dicot root.   Rootlets radiate  from the main root some distance away from the base of the palm and there may be many millions of these feeding roots on a palm.  

Generally cut roots provide an entry point for pathogens,  in some species they may bleed and kill the palm,  but generally if they hit the air [ after finding their way out of a pot ] and dry out,  there is no serious effect on the palm,  other than denial of the growth potential that the dried out root might otherwise have given the palm.

I agree with Chris in that it does depend on the palm species your severing. I'm guessing, as I'm definitely not an expert, palms that regrow their roots faster would do better than the slower types. Also, suckering palms would be able to take some damage to the roots since you can regrow a new palm from a single sucker with very little root attached.

Mike

chrisoz: The recovery of palms from root disturbance is highly species dependent.     For example,  Archontophoenix cunninghamiana is extremely difficult to transplant,   whereas A.  alexandrae can often be transplanted and these 2 species are so close they will hybridise !   Bismarckias cannot be transplanted,  but Butia ssp. can be dug up with all roots severed and left out of the ground for months then put back in the ground and will survive quite nicely.

Bismarcks can be transplanted especially once trunk has formed. Care and patience are required when doing so but it is not a no go.  

Other than that, spot on.

Alan

Double digging works well on difficult species

There are many ways to transplant palms. Some not so easy.

On this site there are pictures from Thialand of Livistona, and other species, with young trunks having root balls about an inch wider than the trunk! They were in a market with other plants and you could haul 2 of them with a mini bike.

On the other hand there are pictures of sensitive specimens being transplanted in many different ways. (try the search box!)

(Alan_Tampa @ May 26 2007,13:26)

QUOTE

chrisoz: The recovery of palms from root disturbance is highly species dependent.     For example,  Archontophoenix cunninghamiana is extremely difficult to transplant,   whereas A.  alexandrae can often be transplanted and these 2 species are so close they will hybridise !   Bismarckias cannot be transplanted,  but Butia ssp. can be dug up with all roots severed and left out of the ground for months then put back in the ground and will survive quite nicely.

Bismarcks can be transplanted especially once trunk has formed. Care and patience are required when doing so but it is not a no go.  

Other than that, spot on.

Alan

Alan,

Thanks for the correction on the Bismarckia.

Cheers