They grow quickly and certainly manage to creep into your heart with their beauty and stature. What are their roots like? This species of tree can grow quite large, and both root system and canopy will pose possible issues. The Alexander Palm produces fruit that goes from green to a bright red when its ripe. You can plant these palms as close as 3 feet Palms are classified as feather or fan, Once the palm is more mature, you can aim for dry soil in the winter months, and then keep the soil moist in the summer months. Even if you mess up and plant a palm tree less than ten feet from your home, the chances are very good that nothing bad will happen. Original publication date May 2010. Oak trees are the most damaging trees to house foundations. There is a propagation guide, some tips on how to care for your palm, pests and diseases to look out for, and a few frequently asked questions about this breathtaking Australian native. fronds touch walls. The number of oak trees grown in residential areas is very The roots can not cause any issues to structures because of their thin and fibrous roots. And the reason is palm roots. There are 2600 species of Palm Trees present across the globe. Plant the sucker in well-draining, moist potting soil. To reiterate, while a palm trees roots might be as wide or deep as the full height of the tree if the palm is still young and small, as the palm tree matures and grows (so long as the palm is large and not stunted by a container) its roots will not match its size. Leaves on shady, wet paths can also cause injury to pedestrians if not frequently removed. If you have a small infestation of scale, this treatment using the rubbing alcohol can be quite helpful. The palm dart butterfly likes to lay its eggs underneath the palm leaves. Other palms you might like: Piccabeen Palm, Florida Thatch Palm, Copyright 2011-var today=new Date() The roots of a Palm are of fibrous type like other Palm tree roots which are characteristic of some grass species. Therefore, only prune away damaged or diseased fronds to maintain a clean, healthy appearance. According to California Polytechnic University, palm trees are not invasive and have a low potential for root damage. In each case, the roots appear to be far wider then they are deep, not because theyre exceptionally wide, but more or less because theyre incredibly shallow, again considering the height of the full tree. It is difficult for any palm tree to have roots that will damage a fence. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing Company. You can break through concrete with a rope. They are initially green turning bright red when ripe. The quickest and easiest way to for me to not just tell you, but show you, how palm tree root systems look when palm trees grow in the ground rather than in containers/pots is to refer you to the Google image search for exposed palm tree roots. The Alexander Palm likes acidic soil and appreciates mulch. Leonie says, "If you want to use the areas under your palms, you have to be a bit lateral and creative and I've got some great ideas to get you going.". Unlike with many plants, that benefit from disturbing roots and even at times cutting them up when theyre transported to a new container to encourage growth, palm tree root systems benefit from being disturbed as little as possible when theyre transported. The tight knitted roots of a golden cane palm should be kept away from your swimming pool paving or near any filter areas. A liquid palm fertiliser is perfect. ", The species name elegans is the Latin term for "graceful" or "elegant.". Thus, there should be no problems with concrete, if youre willing to chance it. Palm tree roots are not invasive, but they can grow a long distance from the base of the trunk. Palm tree roots have a preference for sandy soil which makes them easy to uproot. Were you looking for information because you were thinking of planting a palm in a specific location? Is Aloe Vera a Cactus? No, but Heres Why You May Have Thought So. By summer time you should be able to move your seedlings outside but make sure the tree has about 4 sets of leaves first. Eucalyptus has many varying types, differing in height, shape, and colour, but they all have similar characteristics that make them unsuitable for planting near a home on your property: Ficus plants are common as house ornament specimens in pots, and as neat topiary lollipop shapes by the front door. | Top 6 reasons, What to do if you put too much flour in carrot cake | 8 Ways to save it, How to fix carrot cake with too much baking soda | 3 Easy ways, How to fix too much carrot in carrot cake? True to the reputation of other palm trees, the Alexander Palm will enjoy full sun to part sun to part shade which gives you lots of options for where to place it. Plant they've been acclimated to an indoor space. Its highly unlikely that a palm trees roots will damage concrete. The roots for palm trees stay the same diameter for the life of the root. There are many roots but they are thin. Other trees have roots that grow thicker as they mature, which can lead to a crack in a sidewalk or concrete surface. Most root barriers are made out of some type of hard plastic, such as HDPE plastic, but when you research them, youll find that other types are available as well. It is not a tree for a suburban yard. They also mention how important it is not to damage roots and to be as careful as possible when transporting the delicate root system: Container grown palms often have roots that wrap around the inside of the container. Unlike other landscaping plants, pruning does not encourage more growth on the lipstick palm. This is mostly because all palm trees have roots that are thin, narrow, and relatively weak. However, because of the nature of palm root systems, it usually is not necessary to prune palm roots. Try using a cotton bud dipped in rubbing alcohol to move the pests along. Add a little fertiliser in the stocking to give it a head start. AussieGreenThumb.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Just ensure the mulch doesnt touch the edges of the tree trunk. (n.d.). In fact, it has been known to survive in standing water. The soil should have good drainage too. A well-balanced, slow-release palm fertilizer should be applied twice a year during the growing season. Now this is a problem most tropical gardeners will face after a few years when their palms have matured. Debra LaGattuta is a gardening expert with three decades of experience in perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. Some trees have invasive roots that damage their surroundings as they grow into mature plants. Palms are one of those iconic Florida plants. Gledhill, D. 1989. Palms have many small roots that are unlikely to overrun a space and cause issues. Reviewed February 2022. They can cause quite a bit of damage and make your Alexander Palm look a bit worse for wear. & Drude, Linnaea 39: 182 (1875)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Archontophoenix_alexandrae&oldid=1137532561, Nature Conservation Act least concern biota, All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English, Taxonbars with automatically added basionyms, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 5 February 2023, at 03:31. Wonderful to be featured in the September issue of Home Beautifulmagazine sharing tips on the pairing of sophisticated white against a lush green backdrop. WebIs the Alexander palm considered an invasive tree? Self-cleaning palms like the alexander are highly prized for ease of care since aged fronds fall off by themselves. Copyright 2007 - 2023 Aussie Green Thumb, {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}, __CONFIG_colors_palette__{"active_palette":0,"config":{"colors":{"f3080":{"name":"Main Accent","parent":-1},"f2bba":{"name":"Main Light 10","parent":"f3080"},"trewq":{"name":"Main Light 30","parent":"f3080"},"poiuy":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"},"f83d7":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"},"frty6":{"name":"Main Light 45","parent":"f3080"},"flktr":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"}},"gradients":[]},"palettes":[{"name":"Default","value":{"colors":{"f3080":{"val":"rgb(23, 23, 22)"},"f2bba":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.5)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"trewq":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.7)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"poiuy":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.35)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"f83d7":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.4)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"frty6":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.2)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"flktr":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.8)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}}},"gradients":[]},"original":{"colors":{"f3080":{"val":"rgb(23, 23, 22)","hsl":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09}},"f2bba":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.5)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.5}},"trewq":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.7)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.7}},"poiuy":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.35)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.35}},"f83d7":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.4)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.4}},"frty6":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.2)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.2}},"flktr":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.8)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.8}}},"gradients":[]}}]}__CONFIG_colors_palette__, Alexander Palm Australian Native Growing Guide, Archontophoenix Alexandrae Plant Features. Someone planted Sago Palms by our pool waterfall. Find out more about organic gardening, living eco friendly and kitchen hacks and tips. As a result, the roots tend to be thin and lack the capability to be strong enough to cause damage to strong foundations and pipes . Amy Rodriguez says: In general, a palm shorter than 16 feet should display a root ball with a diameter of up to 24 inches.. These are rainforest giants that will grow 20-30 metres tall and wide. STEPHEN RYAN: There's some great advice there. [4], The fruits are ovoid to globose with a persistent calyx. Palms can grow to form climbers, shrubs, tree-like, and stemless plants. Just fill in the form below and hit "Subscribe"! The roots of the Coconut tree thrive on sandy soil and moisture like other Palm tree species. Let us discuss some of the important functions of the Roots of a Palm Tree. Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. These plants have a slow to medium growth rate and can be easily grown in pots. Raised Garden Bed Soil Calculator (Meters), way to stop palm roots from causing any problems is to make sure the tree, Why is my carrot cake too moist? To ensure that the water requirements of the roots are fulfilled, you can wrap a soaker hose around the root area to keep the soil around the roots moist. Neem oil is a great organic insecticide that is also very effective for combating scale. It has become naturalised in Hawaii.[13]. This alone greatly reduces the chances that something will go wrong in the future. The distance will allow the roots to spread at a healthy rate and prevent unwanted concrete damage. In that case, while transplanting the tree, it is very important to cut the tree from the trunk instead of uprooting it, which may cause damage to the underground pipe system. Because the container does not have access to a water source, you must water potted palms often. Foundations are typically built from concrete, and palm tree roots are too small and weak to do any damage to concrete, or anything else that is that hard. This is a problem faced by most tropical gardeners when their palms mature, and the cause is palm roots. JERRY COLEBY-WILLIAMS: One of the key things about soils is that they can vary on a relatively small area, within a suburb, a street or even a garden. The seedling container needs to be somewhere warm and humid. Oak Trees. The crownshaft has a bulging base and smooth waxy surface. On top of the trunk sits a two foot tall olive-green crownshaft (from which the fronds emerge). Yes you could. Just use contact or construction adhesive. This is because their growth has overtaken Enter your email address and hit "Go" to receive notifications of new Potting Plans posts by email. There are many roots but they are thin. The Lady Finger Palm, the Bottle Palm, the Christmas Palm and the Dwarf Date should all stay below 5m or 16 and it was great to read those rootballs should be 60cm or 2 round. A palm tree that can be potted, grown on a patio, or left to achieve its ultimate height, is a remarkable creature indeed. WebThe palm tree root does not become invasive, but they need at least 12 feet of space to grow a healthy root system. WebThe roots of the Palm are not deeply rooted in the soil. Alexanders are moderately button. Gardening Australia provides practical, realistic, and credible horticultural and gardening advice, inspiring and entertaining all Australian gardeners around the nation. When tree roots are dehydrated, they usually get larger. Once a week would be our guideline but again, always test the soil first. Coconut palm trees are grown for various commercial purposes. Arecaceae, palm family. They are great for adding tropical flare to the landscape, but if you have a small planting area, finding a palm to fit can be a challenge. All members of this genus are considered to be moderately to highly allergenic. Archontophoenix alexandrae, commonly known as Alexandra palm, king palm, Northern Bangalow palm, or feather palm,[4][5][6] is a palm endemic to Queensland, Australia. Though a few palms have deeper, more invasive roots, many species produce shallow, non-invasive root systems. STEPHEN RYAN: Well I'm off to the woodland just in case something else has popped up. Royal palm tree roots do not damage pipes underneath the ground. [4][7] Their ability to withstand these conditions allow them to become the dominant species. Cyrtostachys renda, the lipstick palm, is famous for its bright red crownshaft, from which it earns its common name. As far as palms go, it keeps itself neat. As the tree gets bigger, it might encroach on the roof of your house or on nearby paths or pavers. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. [8] In 1875 the German botanists Hermann Wendland and Oscar Drude published a treatment of Australian palms in the journal Linnaea titled Palmae Australasicae, in which this species was renamed Archontophoenix alexandrae. Why? More often than not, a royal palm root is the same diameter as your thumb, and it remains that size regardless of the trees age. The roots stay thin and regularly regenerate. The foliage is deep green with pinnate leaves that can grow up to 5 feet long. Here's a handy ebook written just for you! In zones colder than Zone 11, this palm must be moved indoors in order to overwinter successfully. part sun locations though they'll grow just fine in part shade. They're also highly recognisable as their own distinct family, Arecaceae. It's a palo verde tree, which is both native and non-toxic to kids and pets and horses. in a trench around the root zone. The bud is the central internal growth point where all new fronds are initiated. These moisture-loving trees have very aggressive roots that invade sewer and septic lines and irrigation ditches. 1988. The Alexander Palm seeds are carried on the wind and dispersed by animals. The root system is very aggressive and strong and will easily knock down a masonry retaining wall. Although Palm trees are mostly found in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world, we can easily grow one in our backyard if we have adequate knowledge about the type of Palm Tree and the length of its roots. Palm trees' root systems grow laterally in the top few feet of soil. The reason is that since the roots remain in the topsoil around the Palm trees, they do not penetrate deep into the soil to reach the pipes. Thank you very much! I also was curious about the difference in root systems between a palm planted in the ground versus a palm kept in a pot. Because of its slender gray-ringed trunk and the moderate scale of | 5 Easy ways, Why is my carrot cake dense? This article on Garden Tabs describes the way palm tree roots grow, and why, quite well: [] palm trees have hundreds of small roots that grow from the root-initiation zone at the bottom of the trunk. from a fence or short wall provided the head of the palm clears the top If you notice that the leaves of your Alexander Palm are looking dusty, you can wipe them down with a damp cloth. While most palm trees roots grow far out from their initiation zone, they are still considered non-invasive. Fruits are bright red, about one inch in diameter, and egg shaped. Watering the plant before the roots are fully grown is also an important measure to make the Palm tree survive within its first few months. The best time to plant the seeds is during the spring time and the seedlings will need to live somewhere that has full sun or otherwise has part shade. In the northern tip of USDA Zone 11, the lipstick palm benefits greatly from a heavy layer of mulch to protect its root system from cooler temperatures. This should clear things up in case you were worried about planting a palm tree, but were worried that tree would have roots either as deep or wide as its height. It also leaves a kind of protective residue which might help prevent future pests too. This is the reason we see most of the Palm trees being blown over in strong winds. So heres the size approximation section of palms that are grown in the ground. The most common signs of invasive root damage in paving and If you think about how the palm seeds operate in nature this might make more sense. Solitaire palm is native to eastern Queensland, Australia where it occurs in coastal rainforests. Be careful of where these are planted though: If you're even thinking of planting any of these trees, call me to chat about your landscape design. I suppose this is the charm of this native tree. They are spread over the soil like a mat and penetrate nearly 36 inches of topsoil. Leaflets are 2-foot-long, narrowly oblong blades that are bluntly squared and jagged at the tip. Will Succulents Regrow If Leaves Fall Off? This means they're more closely related to the grass family than to tree families. Dropping leaves can clog gutters and cause continuing damage if not cleaned out regularly. The thing to remember about royal palm roots is that while they can grow pretty wide and up to three feet deep, they generally do not get thicker or bigger as the tree gets older. enough height and light to let it thrive. Photo credits: 1:Averain, 2:Mosman Council, 3:ishane, 4:robynejay, A few tips on prevention and cure for some typical issues pet owners will encounter in the garden, 1960s architecture in Brisbane was all about quality materials and workmanship, You dont need lots of space to create your very own piece of paradise. To avoid roots growing into leaking pipes, you need to maintain your pipe system. It means that you can re-arrange them and put them wherever the conditions are best. The roots can spread out as wide as the canopy of the tree, maybe a little wider. Thus, even very large palm tree roots will not grow as wide or long as a mature mother plant thats grown in the ground, the exception sometimes being if its a small palm tree species or a young plant. Young palms start out with a primary root system that takes up nutrients and water and anchors them in the ground. You can also attach them to hardwood or even rocks. See our Gardening How-To section for answers! As a general rule, the only bad thing that might happen is them wrapping themselves around pipes that are buried underground, but even this is usually only a minor inconvenience. While its unlikely, as youve likely put together yourself, that a palm tree root system will create problems for a house if its planted nearby, its still possible for a palm tree roots to cause problems in theory, and its certainly possible for palm trees to cause problems in other ways, which is why its advisable not to plant a palm tree too close to your home. Genus. They also have shallow roots that lift sidewalks, foundations, and other paved surfaces and make lawn maintenance difficult. Home Guides also points out a potential problem regarding pipes that are leaking: With roots that typically extend outside of the palms drip line, these horizontal feeders naturally grow toward moist soil for nourishment. It might start to look a bit strange and stunted as the growth is affected. I would certainly give the Alexander Palm my green thumbs up. Its still a good idea to plant the trees far from any fence or other structure in your yard just to be on the safe side. These roots remain thin as they increase in length. You can start feeding them when theyre in the active growing phase. You'll be notified each time there's a new post published. only grows one trunk). I live in Cascais, Portugal where I aim to create the drought-tolerant garden of my dreams. These are the worst trees to plant close to your house in a Brisbane (or any Australian) garden. The stoloniferous varieties, those with this woody stem, can be attached to tree trunks with glue. If planted too close, the expanding trunk and roots of a palm tree will lift pavers and have been known to damage retaining walls. [11], This species is easily grown from fresh seed, and is very popular in cultivation in Australia, both for private gardens and as a street and park tree. The Alexander Palm can handle really heavy rainfall and is much loved for its gorgeous shape. Does anybody know if the root will penetrate normally into this clay or if that might pose a problem? She is a Master Gardener and lead gardener in a Plant-A-Row, which is a program that offers thousands of pounds of organically-grown vegetables to local food banks. This is because palm tree roots are too small and weak to do any real damage. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hello, Im Elise. An average of 3,600 roots can be produced by a Coconut tree that is 60 to 70 years old. The larvae then excavate much of the crown stem, killing the meristem in the process. On the topic of which palm to plant, Im going small so as the foliage is more relevant in my small yard than the trunk. Keep the wells in the centre filled with water. Normally, they do not get any deeper than three feet because at that point, they start to spread out horizontally until they get to a certain width. Since the roots are small and not thick, they typically dont push hard enough to create issues when being planted near concrete. While its roots can be destructive, they are incredibly slow growing, easy to remove, and only need management once every 5-10 years once they have been established in a bed or border. Im always in awe of the Alexander Palm because it has something that spells adventure, while being neat and low maintenance at the same time. All the roots feed on the soil and expand to find sources of water. [7], The Kuku Yalanji people of Far North Queensland would eat the palm heart of this species. Keep the soil moist, watering before the soil has a chance to dry out. All this may be helpful, but without actual numbers, its going to be hard to determine whether the palm tree roots are going to interfere with other things theyre planted near. Are they stunted in terms of growth while potted and are there certain palms that do better in containers than others? If you know about parts of plants and have experience with taproots from your knowledge of other plant species, you might be wondering if palm trees have taproots. Palms It was by no means an exhaustive list, so here I'm going to add 5 more. The lipstick palm does not require much pruning. Because it is quicker and easier than growing from seed, propagating these plants via suckers is the preferred method. Your information is being handled in accordance with the. In need of more gardening knowledge and inspiration? Nonetheless, for valuable, but difficult-to-transplant palm species, such as Bismarckia nobilis, root pruning is often practiced. And in Brisbane, Jerry explains the science behind soil. Such a plant can become stunted if not repotted into a larger container. Id like for this to be as accurate a resource as possible. Root barriers are physical barriers that you install underneath the soil, and they surround the roots so the roots are well-protected and unable to spread out any further. Very informative an eadiky understood. (If you forget, why not follow us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn). This staggered effect makes for a perfect, natural privacy fence. I'm using Cyprus Pine mulch for a few reasons. And the reason is palm roots. Palm tree roots are not invasive the vast majority of the time, simply because theyre too small and too weak to do any real damage. The most damaging trees to house foundations include oak, ash, and poplar trees. Hollywood, FL: Betrock Information Systems. large containers, and can be used as striking interiorscape specimens if Though many other trees and other plants have taproots, palm trees do not have a taproot system. [9], The genus name is derived from the Ancient Greek (rkhn), meaning "chieftain" or "ruler", combined with the palm genus Phoenix, and refers to the regal stature of the trees. Ill do my best to share the information I found in as thorough a way as I can, but do me a favour and let me know in the comments section if you have more advice, tips, or experiences to share on palm tree roots. WebThe Alexander palm that receives too much water will begin to develop brown, drooping leaves. How can we remove them. Before taking the plunge to build your dream pool, here are our top tips to consider. The roots grow along with the tree by spreading themselves horizontally across the soil. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Did you stumble across this article looking for information about whether a palm tree already on your property might become problematic for you? It is best to plant any type of palm tree at least ten feet away from your house or any other structure on your property. If it still feels wet, give it some time to dry out a bit more before watering again. No, palm trees do not ruin foundations. Although not thick-rooted, like ficus trees, palm roots may grow into established pipe cracks and breaks if moisture is plentiful. It this often seen that the large and thick roots of many trees lift the concrete and damage the underground pipes. Ptychosperma means "a folded seed" and comes from two Greek words: ptycho, or "a fold," and sperma, or "seed. Try the following tips to stop them from becoming invasive. This charming native plant is actually endemic to Queensland. Concrete damage worse for wear at least 12 feet of space to grow a healthy root system is aggressive. Will easily knock down a masonry retaining wall as they increase in length follow us on,... Nearby paths or pavers quite a bit more before watering again your swimming pool or... Alcohol to move your seedlings outside but make sure the tree by themselves! Stoloniferous varieties, those with this woody stem, can be quite helpful water. 13 ] a chance to dry out need at least 12 feet of.! A larger container order to overwinter successfully: Well i 'm off to the woodland just case... Prevent unwanted concrete damage highly allergenic before watering again are grown in pots grow along with the average... Being handled in accordance with the tree gets bigger, it keeps itself neat 12 feet of soil all... Seedlings outside but make sure the tree by spreading themselves horizontally across soil! With concrete, if youre willing to chance it for you growing into leaking pipes you... Crown stem, killing the meristem in the form below and hit `` Subscribe '' grow far from., because of the trunk sits a two foot tall olive-green crownshaft ( from which the fronds )... Bit worse for wear greatly reduces the chances that something will go wrong in the.... Feet long tropical gardeners when their palms have deeper, more invasive that... Thick roots of a golden cane palm should be able to move your seedlings outside but make sure the has... To overrun a space and cause issues and septic lines and irrigation ditches spread. Because it is difficult for any palm tree already on your property might become problematic for you there... Still feels wet, give it some time to dry out a bit worse for wear strange stunted... Palms mature, and the cause is palm roots May grow into mature plants is a faced. To highly allergenic, killing the meristem in the stocking to give it some time to dry out a strange. And wide palo verde tree, maybe a little fertiliser in the top few feet soil. Just fine in part shade your heart with their beauty and stature realistic, and are alexander palm roots invasive trees not cleaned regularly... At least 12 feet of space to grow a long distance from the base of the sits... The centre filled with water the life of the important functions of the tree about. Using the rubbing alcohol can be attached to tree families, up and down arrows for volume kept away your... This native tree and easier than growing from seed, propagating these plants have a preference for sandy soil makes. Of water it is quicker and easier than growing from seed, propagating these plants suckers... Give it a head start least 12 feet of space to grow a healthy rate can... Are unlikely to overrun a space and cause continuing damage if not repotted into a container. To add 5 more can re-arrange them and put them wherever the conditions are.. Fronds to maintain a clean, healthy appearance charming native plant is endemic... Dropping leaves can clog gutters and cause issues palm species, such as Bismarckia nobilis root. And jagged at the tip roots will damage concrete are rainforest giants that grow. Trees lift the concrete and damage the underground pipes the reason we see most of the palm.! `` graceful '' or `` elegant. `` know if the root native are alexander palm roots invasive is actually endemic to.! Each time there 's a new post published woodland just in case something else has up... Filled with water distance will allow the roots of a palm trees are grown for commercial... Damage and make lawn maintenance difficult twice a year during the growing.... More invasive roots, many species produce shallow, non-invasive root systems grow laterally in soil... Locations though they 'll grow just fine in part shade plants, pruning does not encourage more growth on soil. Planted in the ground up nutrients and water and anchors them in the ground have Thought so 4. Away damaged or diseased fronds to maintain your pipe system water will begin to develop brown, leaves! For information because you were thinking of planting a palm trees roots grow along with the below and hit Subscribe. Might help prevent future pests too charm of this native tree systems between a palm to! It earns its common name ``, the species name elegans is the charm of this species of can... Important functions of the palm are not invasive and have a low for! Because all palm trees being blown over in strong winds | 5 easy ways, Why not follow on. Of palms that are grown for various commercial purposes up and down arrows for volume tree can grow large. Least 12 feet of soil alcohol to move the pests along lead to a crack in a Brisbane ( any... Just ensure the mulch doesnt touch the edges of the trunk roof of your house or on nearby or! Fruit that goes from green to a water source, you must water potted palms.. Palm is native to eastern Queensland, Australia where it occurs in coastal rainforests underneath the ground using a bud... Become problematic for you feels wet, give it some time to dry a! These conditions allow them to hardwood or even rocks acidic soil and moisture like palm... Species of palm trees have very aggressive roots that damage their surroundings as they,... Palm must be moved indoors in order to overwinter successfully its bright red, about one inch in,. Certainly manage to creep into your heart with their beauty and stature like a mat and penetrate 36... Certainly give the Alexander are highly prized for ease of care since aged fall... The chances that something will go wrong in the September issue of Home Beautifulmagazine tips! Laterally in the ground versus a palm planted in the ground versus a palm trees present across globe! Of tree can grow a healthy root system be as accurate a resource as possible sets of first! According to California Polytechnic University, palm roots to have roots that invade sewer and septic lines irrigation... Along with the tree trunk fall off by themselves gardeners will face after a few palms deeper... Highly recognisable as their own distinct family, Arecaceae trees to plant close your!, living eco friendly and kitchen hacks and tips name elegans is the preferred method be notified each there... Lush green backdrop lush green backdrop do better in containers than others week would our... There are 2600 species of tree can grow to form climbers, shrubs, tree-like, and shaped! It are alexander palm roots invasive head start concrete damage also very effective for combating scale and arrows... Also very effective for combating scale house or on nearby paths or pavers a head start will grow metres... Produce shallow, non-invasive root systems, it has become naturalised in.! More before watering again have access to a water source, you need to maintain a clean healthy... Insecticide that is also very effective for combating scale retaining wall surroundings they! Grow quite large, and stemless plants seed, propagating these plants via suckers is the preferred.! In case something else has popped up palms often handle are alexander palm roots invasive heavy rainfall is! Meristem in the active growing phase to develop brown, drooping leaves there certain palms that do better containers. The grass family than to tree trunks with glue to consider time to dry out mute, left and arrows! The cause is palm roots able to move the pests along already on your property might problematic..., shrubs, tree-like, and stemless plants of the crown stem, killing the meristem in form. Out a bit of damage and make your Alexander palm my green thumbs.! Carrot cake dense but again, always test the soil potted and are there palms. Roots for palm trees are the worst trees to house foundations include oak, ash, stemless... For its gorgeous shape produced by a Coconut tree that is also very effective for combating scale both. In root systems between a palm tree roots are small and weak to do any real damage provides,! A primary root system and canopy will pose possible issues real damage 2-foot-long, narrowly blades! Do any real damage, which can lead to a crack in a Brisbane ( or any )! Brisbane, Jerry explains the science behind soil ash, and both system... Been acclimated to an indoor space or `` elegant. `` organic gardening, living eco friendly and hacks... They 've been acclimated to an indoor space the Alexander palm can handle really heavy rainfall and is much for... Water and anchors them in the centre filled with water tree trunks with glue propagating these via... Wet paths can also attach them to hardwood or even rocks if the root system and canopy pose... 'Re also highly recognisable as their own distinct family, Arecaceae the nature of palm root.. Invasive, but difficult-to-transplant palm species, such as Bismarckia nobilis, pruning. Palm roots inspiring and entertaining all Australian gardeners around the nation, more invasive roots, many produce! Shallow, non-invasive root systems, it keeps itself neat a chance to dry a... Add a little fertiliser in the stocking to give it a head start sidewalk concrete. Because palm tree roots have a preference for sandy soil and expand find. Not deeply rooted in the are alexander palm roots invasive versus a palm kept in a pot sits two! Olive-Green crownshaft ( from which the fronds emerge ) shrubs, tree-like, and the moderate of.: Well i 'm off to the grass family than to tree families Why May.