How to Dig Out a Dracaena Palm

The dracaena palm is not a palm tree. The scientific name for the dracaena palm is Cordyline australis. It is actually a woody plant classified in the Cordyline family, which is the same family as the lily. The dracaena palm can grow very large. In fact, there is a Cordyline australis in San Francisco which is registered as one of California Big Trees. The Cordyline measures 35 feet high, has a trunk circumference of 102 inches and a crown spread of 27 feet. Digging up a large dracaena palm may require two people.

• 1

  Cut the roots of the tree by pushing a small garden shovel into the soil--in the form of a circle--around the root ball of the dracaena plant. Push the shovel down into the soil so that the entire shovel is under ground to cut all the roots. Do this at least six months before moving the plant. If you do not wish to keep the plant, this step in not necessary.

• 2

  Water the tree with a garden hose three days before you plan to dig up the plant. Make sure the soil is extremely damp. The damp soil will make digging the area easier.

• 3

  Wrap a piece of electrical tape around the dracaena palm's trunk. Leave a tail in the tape that faces north. This only needs to be done if you plan to replant the dracaena palm. When replanting, align the tape to point north.

• 4

  Dig a hole around the root ball of the plant using a large garden shovel. The root ball of the dracaena plant is directly under the woody trunk. When digging, be careful not to cut or damage any of the root ball if you wish to replant the dracaena palm.

• 5

  Lift the tree up out of the hole. If the dracaena palm is very large, you may need someone to help you lift the plant.

• 6

  Slide a burlap sack under the roots and wrap it tightly around the root ball. Water the covered root ball with a garden hose. Keep the roots covered until you replant the dracaena palm. If you do not plan to replant the dracaena palm, dispose the tree at this point.