Before a palm arrives, the site should be ready. Decide where each palm will go, clear a clean path for the trailer and loader, and have the hole dug or the spot marked. A little planning on the ground keeps delivery day smooth and helps the palm start strong.
Decide where each palm goes
Walk the yard and pick the exact spot for each palm before the delivery date. Stand back and picture the palm at full height. Think about overhead wires, the roofline, pool screens, and the path you will walk most days. Mark each spot with a stake or spray paint so the crew knows where to set it.
Plan for the trunk too. Our palms run from about 7 feet overall height up to 9 feet of clear trunk, and some specimens are well over 20 feet overall. Leave room around the trunk so it has space to grow, and keep it clear of walls and fences.
Clear a path for the trailer and loader
The palm arrives on a trailer or flatbed, and it moves to the site with a loader. Clear a path wide enough for both, with room to turn. Remove low branches, fences, and gates that are in the way. Check for soft ground, soggy grass, and slopes, since these can slow the loader and make the job harder.
Look up as well. Make sure there is clear height for the palm and for the equipment. Keep kids and pets inside while the palm is set down. A clear path helps the crew move carefully and gets the palm to its spot without damage.
Have the hole ready or the spot marked
You can dig the hole ahead of time, or you can mark the spot and let the planting crew dig it. Either way, the hole matters. Dig it about twice as wide as the root ball, but only as deep as the palm was grown. Digging too deep can cause problems later.
Never bury the trunk. Set the palm so the trunk sits at the same level it was grown at. Keep the root wrap in place until you are ready to plant, and check the level from a few sides before you backfill.
Plan the planting day
Plant as soon as possible after delivery. Palms do best when they go into the ground quickly. If planting must wait a day or two, keep the root wrap on and set the palm in a shady, well-ventilated spot. Do not let it sit in full sun while it waits.
Plan the day so the crew has time to finish the job. A rushed planting is more likely to leave air pockets or a crooked trunk, and those are easy to avoid with a little time.
Backfill, build a dam, and soak
Backfill with a mix of soil and gravel, packing it down as you go to push out air pockets. Build a soil dam around the edge of the hole. The dam holds water over the root ball, so the water soaks down instead of running off. Soak the area fully so the soil settles around the roots.
Take your time with this step. Air pockets left behind can dry out roots, and that is hard to fix after the fact. A well-packed root zone gives the palm a steadier start.
Water carefully in the first two weeks
Water is the key in the first weeks. After planting, water daily or every other day for the first two weeks. Check the soil with your finger before you water. If the top layer is dry, the palm needs a drink. Adjust the schedule after that, and watch how the palm responds to the weather.
Feed the palm through the seasons
Fertilize in spring, summer, and early fall with a slow-release fertilizer. Look for a product that includes manganese, magnesium, potassium, iron, and copper sulfates. Follow the label directions, and do not overfeed, since too much fertilizer can stress new roots.
For first-year care after planting, see our planting and care guide. It covers the watering, feeding, and checks that help a young palm settle in.
Why our palms are grown in the ground
Our palms are field-grown on the farm in Vero Beach, FL. They are not containerized. Each palm is grown in the ground before it is dug and wrapped for delivery. The palms are graded as specimen and Florida Fancy.
The Sylvester palm is a Phoenix sylvestris Robusta. You may also hear it called the India date palm or the silver date palm. Knowing the name helps when you talk with the crew about the look you want for your yard.
Visit the farm before delivery
If you want to choose the palm yourself, visit the farm. Customers can walk the rows and pick the exact palm they want. Call ahead before you visit so the crew can meet you in the field. Owner Jerry meets customers in the field, so you can talk through the options in person.
Plan the delivery
Delivery is available for every order. The crew root-wraps the palm in the field, loads it with a loader onto a trailer or flatbed, and delivers it to your site. The delivery price is not published, so call with your planting address to get a quote.
Having the address and the site details ready helps the quote and the delivery go smoothly. Bring the marked spots, the path notes, and any gate codes to the call.
Sylvestris Tree Farms is a working palm farm in Vero Beach, serving Indian River County. To learn more about how we handle delivery and planting, visit our palm delivery and planting services page.
Call 772-778-3006 with your planting address to request a delivery quote. We will help you plan the site and the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big should the hole be for a Sylvester palm?
Dig it about twice as wide as the root ball, but only as deep as the palm was grown. Never bury the trunk.
What if I cannot plant the palm on delivery day?
Plant as soon as possible. If planting must wait, keep the root wrap on and set the palm in a shady, well-ventilated spot.
Can I pick my own palm?
Yes. Visit the farm, walk the rows, and choose the exact palm. Call ahead before visiting.
How much does delivery cost?
The delivery price is not published. Call 772-778-3006 with your planting address to request a quote.