Bonita Springs • Lee County
Palm Installation in Bonita Springs, FL
Hurricane Ian struck Bonita Springs in September 2022. The city's progress report describes more than 12 feet of storm surge and sustained winds over 155 mph, and the deputy mayor told NPR the surge hit the beach first and then pushed up the Imperial River into neighborhoods along it. If a palm on your lot was lost or left leaning, UF/IFAS guidance for its replacement is the same whether the palm is a 10-foot Christmas palm or a tall sabal: set it at the depth it grew in the nursery, never deeper, and brace it with timbers strapped to padding, not nailed into the trunk, because trunk wounds never heal. Bracing typically stays on for months. For coastal lots near Bonita Shores and Hickory Boulevard, sabal and thatch palms tolerate salt and wind better than many ornamental species.
or call (239) 301-9455
Where it comes up in Bonita Springs
Little Hickory Island
Bonita Bay
Imperial River corridor
Plants and materials that suit it in Bonita Springs
- Sabal palm (cabbage palm)
- Florida thatch palm
- Coconut palm
- Christmas palm
- Bismarck palm
- Wood bracing with burlap-padded batten straps
Questions
How deep should a new palm be planted?
At the same depth it was growing before, according to UF/IFAS. Planting deeper is a common mistake and can lead to root problems and decline. The hole should be wider than the root ball, not deeper, with the backfill firmed so the palm does not settle.
How long do the braces stay on?
UF/IFAS recommends leaving braces in place for at least six months on transplanted palms, and longer for many species. Braces should never be nailed into the trunk. Ask Hodges to check the straps before hurricane season so they do not girdle the palm.
Which palms handle salt spray near Bonita Beach?
Native sabal palms and Florida thatch palms are good choices for salty, windy lots, and coconut palms are common along the coast. Keep less tolerant species back from the water or behind the house.