Can Phoenix Roebelenii be moved and replanted deeper?

[FLForester]

My next door neighbor intends to try to move a Phoenix Roebelenii palm. She asked me if the wide, broad base area (that is above ground now---see photo) could be planted deeper in the soil so just the slender portion of the trunk would be emerging from the ground. My thinking was that this would not be a good idea, but would like to confirm one way or another. As for the history, I believe the palm originally was in a black pot on the ground, and over many years broke out of it and rooted in place. That's the reason for the broad ball above ground. Thank you. 

[Little Tex]

Woah, thats a sight, yeah, it would be fine as long as you dig up enough roots, this thing looks old, I dont know what that person was thinking putting a pot in the ground like that and not removing it every winter, this is bizarre, may I keep this photo?

[Fusca]

3 hours ago, FLForester said:

She asked me if the wide, broad base area (that is above ground now---see photo) could be planted deeper in the soil so just the slender portion of the trunk would be emerging from the ground. My thinking was that this would not be a good idea, but would like to confirm one way or another.

It looks to me that the palm could be planted deeper than the mass of soil/roots is currently but only to the base of the trunk where the roots are emerging.  Planting it too deeply will cause rot problems with the trunk.  Have her dig out as much of the roots as possible that are still in the ground but it won't hurt much if some of them are broken off.

[kinzyjr]

@FLForester Welcome to PalmTalk!  It should be fine as Phoenix are generally tolerant of grade change and transplanting as indicated by the posters above.  Given how dry it has been, it will probably want more water than normal.

[FLForester]

To Little Tex: you certainly may keep the photo. I also have not seen anything quite like that before. If it were me, I would leave it just the way it is and not mess with it, but it is not my call.  

[Merlyn]

It can be dug up and moved or planted deeper, as mentioned above.  But you'll need to get a big rootball for a palm that size and it will be HEAVY.  You'll want to get something like a 4' diameter root ball that's also 3-4' deep.  Expect a 300-400lb ball of roots and dirt.  A neighbor gave me a couple of singles and triples with about 6' of trunk each.  We needed his tractor to dig them up and move them, and they all survived just fine.  A year ago I tried moving a solo Roebellini like that by hand with a shovel and *without* a large rootball...and it died. 

[aabell]

13 minutes ago, Merlyn said:

It can be dug up and moved or planted deeper, as mentioned above.  But you'll need to get a big rootball for a palm that size and it will be HEAVY.  You'll want to get something like a 4' diameter root ball that's also 3-4' deep.  Expect a 300-400lb ball of roots and dirt.  A neighbor gave me a couple of singles and triples with about 6' of trunk each.  We needed his tractor to dig them up and move them, and they all survived just fine.  A year ago I tried moving a solo Roebellini like that by hand with a shovel and *without* a large rootball...and it died. 

Yes, this. I recently tried to remove the rootball of a mostly dead one about this size with a shovel and it was a much bigger job than I bargained for. Keeping it intact and digging a sufficiently large hole to replant won't be an easy task. 

[Fusca]

@kinzyjr makes a good point.  Even if hasn't been dry you're still going to want to water them well.  This is not a desert-type Phoenix but comes from a region of Asia that gets a lot of rainfall.

[Jim in Los Altos]

One alternative to a laborious dig and transplant would be to build a simple rock/boulder planter around the palm approximately 3’ x 3’ x 2’ tall. Just grade down 2” for the boulders to sit a little below  surrounding soil, and circle the palm. Fill planter with soil up to trunk base. 

[Kim]

Is the move simply about the roots or is the palm in the wrong location? I would just get a new palm, but maybe there is an emotional attachment to this particular palm?

Palms rooting into soil while in the pot, it happens. "Lazy gardener syndrome," 😁 I know it well.

[FLForester]

In her case, it is BOTH a desire for relocation and the excessive root mound. I honestly will be surprised if she attempts it. I conveyed all the information imparted here by those that responded (and thank you to all who did). I do not believe she realized what an undertaking it would involve. 

[Little Tex]

54 minutes ago, FLForester said:

In her case, it is BOTH a desire for relocation and the excessive root mound. I honestly will be surprised if she attempts it. I conveyed all the information imparted here by those that responded (and thank you to all who did). I do not believe she realized what an undertaking it would involve. 

I would just suggest to her what Jim said, just a small rock wall around it so the roots are covered