Fort Myers • Lee County
Palm Installation in Fort Myers, FL
Fort Myers has a long relationship with royal palms: Thomas Edison began paying for the plantings along what became McGregor Boulevard in 1907, and the trees still define that corridor. Recent storms added a harder lesson. After Hurricane Ian, UF/IFAS Lee County Extension reported royal palms in the most severely affected areas left without crowns, and surviving palms showing boron deficiency and increased palmetto weevil activity. For anyone adding palms now, that argues for healthy nursery stock, careful planting, and a species sized for the spot. Hodges sets each palm at the depth it grew in the nursery, because planting too deep is a common cause of slow decline, and braces it with padded blocks strapped to the trunk, never nailed in. UF/IFAS suggests leaving bracing on for roughly six to eight months on larger palms. Sabal palms, Florida's state tree, are especially sensitive to being set too deep.
or call (239) 301-9455
Where it comes up in Fort Myers
Seminole Park
Edison Park
Valencia Terrace
Plants and materials that suit it in Fort Myers
Questions
Can I plant royal palms like the ones on McGregor?
If you have the room. Royal palms grow very tall and drop large, heavy fronds, so they need clearance from roofs, pool cages, and power lines. UF/IFAS also saw nutrient problems in royal palms after Ian, so plan on a palm-specific fertilizer program.
Why do braces stay on for months?
A newly set palm has few roots holding it, and wind can rock it enough to break new roots as they form. UF/IFAS recommends bracing large palms for about six to eight months so they can anchor themselves.
My palm made it through Ian but looks thin. Should it be replaced?
Get it diagnosed first. Nutrient deficiencies can often be corrected, but if the spear leaf pulls out easily or the crown is collapsing, the bud may be dead, and a palm with a dead bud cannot grow a new head.