One of the few problems we encounter after our palms have been installed onsite is poor drainage combined with poor or inaccurate watering practices. When the rootball is allowed to sit in water for any long length of time all the oxygen is driven from the soil, allowing populations of bad bacteria and water mold fungi to soar. These bad bacteria and fungi then proceed to rot the root system present and any new roots that are attempting to develop. This infection then spreads throughout the vascular system of the palm causing the death of the palm.

We install almost all of our palms depending on the drainage in that particular area with a 4-inch perforated schedule 40 PVC observation/ aeration vent tube assembly. Cover this assembly with a landscape filter sock. This assembly is to go into the planting hole first beneath the rootball and directly at the bottom of the installation hole. 3/4 inch gravel will cover this assembly and landscape felt can be installed over the gravel to insure the sand does not wash thru the gravel and clog the aeriation tube assembly. The palm then gets healed in with 100% pre-wahed masonry sand and water.

NOTE: A graphic copy of the aeriation vent tube assembly, palm rootball, soil amendments etc. can be faxed or emailed to anyone upon request.

If this system can be tied into an underground storm drain system that will allow for constant drainage of any water buildup, this is highly recommended but many times that is not possible or financially practical. It is still important to put this system in place to monitor the possible buildup of water in the planting pit. The top of the tubes should be slightly above the finish grade and capped off with vented caps, parallel to sides of the rootball and reaching the bottom of the installation hole.

This will enable you the client or your landscape personel to determine if water is building up in the planting hole - if it is, it must be pumped out on an as-needed basis. This is critical to the survival of the palm(s). One method of removing any excess water that builds up in the installation hole is to install a demand sump pump at the bottom of the planting pit in an even larger observation/aeration tube assembly 6 inch or 8 inch pipe. When water builds up it is automatically pumped out. Direct the water into a nearby surface drain or sewer system.

Ask us to come out and inspect any job site we want your new palms to thrive and remain awesome looking for years to come.. Good drainage is a must to growing healthy palms.