Ok, about 18 to 20 months ago.......a bird or something dropped a seed in my fernery and now I have a palm tree of sorts growing there......it's a funny thing but it's really well established and growing quickly. It is over half way to the roof and I think I need to move it.

My questions are:

Does anyone know what kind it is?

Does anyone know what is the best way to move it and 'repot' it either into the ground or a large pot of some kind?

here is the photo.......it looks funny where it is:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b121/Bolero_Oz/DSCF1849.jpg

I don't know much about palm trees but could it be a Chinese fan palm tree? It looks like a nice size palm tree but not a fully matured one so it may be easier to transplant at that size. Have you consulted with an arborist?

Nice free gift from the birds! Very nice looking tree!

it looks like a Washingtonia filifera ;)

so pretty so nice:heart::heart::Party:

Why birds never bring me such nice things.

Why birds never bring me such nice things.

Hahaha! Same here!

I don't know much about palm trees but could it be a Chinese fan palm tree? It looks like a nice size palm tree but not a fully matured one so it may be easier to transplant at that size. Have you consulted with an arborist?

I think you are right, I haven't consulted anyone yet. Thanks for that, I have some ideas now on how to transplant it and plan to do it before the end of summer.

Last thing the birds dropped was a tomato seed which took over part of my backyard......lol

oh wow! a free palm tree!! how old is it?

oh wow! a free palm tree!! how old is it?

It started growing about 18 to 20 months ago......I thought it was a weird looking bulb initially but how soon I figured out I was wrong!!!

cool!!! didnt know palm trees grew that fast!

It looks like a Palmetto, but my second guess would be a Washingtonia.

Nice freebie.

Beautiful palm tree! I think most palms have shallow roots so it is best to transplant when they are young. Good luck with that!

It looks like a Washington palm. Great looking palm tree!

My first thought was also a Palmetto palm but I could be wrong as they are other similar looking palm trees available.

I think you are right, I haven't consulted anyone yet. Thanks for that, I have some ideas now on how to transplant it and plan to do it before the end of summer.

Last thing the birds dropped was a tomato seed which took over part of my backyard......lol

Wow free tomatoes too? Nice friendly birds you have in your backyard.

Wow free tomatoes too? Nice friendly birds you have in your backyard.

I don't think my wife would agree, they occasionally drop things on her washing........

I don't think my wife would agree, they occasionally drop things on her washing........

:lol1::laugh: Well, hope they bring you some orchids next time!

It's Washingtonia filifera, alright.

It should transplant alright. Probably best to do it in the spring when it will produce replacement roots fairly soon, though depending on how far North you are you might be able to do it any time. It would be best to cut most of the fronds off, leaving only one, preferably just a spike (unopened frond). Try and take as much root as you can, but don't bust a gut taking a huge rootball, it will grow more.

It's Washingtonia filifera, alright.

It should transplant alright. Probably best to do it in the spring when it will produce replacement roots fairly soon, though depending on how far North you are you might be able to do it any time. It would be best to cut most of the fronds off, leaving only one, preferably just a spike (unopened frond). Try and take as much root as you can, but don't bust a gut taking a huge rootball, it will grow more.

Hey we have moved it, thanks for the advice. We lost a lot of roots and all the leaves turned brown. In hindsight we should have cut them all and just let the new one spiking. Is it to late? The spiking one hasn't moved and doesn't look to bad........it is looking pretty poor in its new corner, we did save some roots but many were underneath pavement and it wasn't an option saving them.

Washingtonia filifera; I'd be more sure if you were in US...
a very common landscaping palm, fast growing and a dead ringer for your image.

The palm has strong thorns and I was told to plant it along a boundary on my property that backs onto a busy road - the spikes will act as a deterrent to people walking in off the road if planted densely.

The palm has more people who are against it than like it - is fast growing and takes up space so may not be suited to the average suburban block.

The palm has strong thorns and I was told to plant it along a boundary on my property that backs onto a busy road - the spikes will act as a deterrent to people walking in off the road if planted densely.

The palm has more people who are against it than like it - is fast growing and takes up space so may not be suited to the average suburban block.

good suggestion on where to plant such a tree!!! welcome to the forum!!!