At 13 feet high a Dicksonia Antartica (as a log) is a few feet too tall to
plant in its proposed site because it pokes above a tall hedge and will be
blasted by wind.
Is it OK to saw off a couple of feet from the base (not the top:-)).
Whilst on this subject how much trunk should be buried in the ground?

Rupert (W.Yorkshire) wrote:
At 13 feet high a Dicksonia Antartica (as a log) is a few feet too tall to
plant in its proposed site because it pokes above a tall hedge and will be
blasted by wind.
Is it OK to saw off a couple of feet from the base (not the top:-)).
Whilst on this subject how much trunk should be buried in the ground?

Due to the potentially large surface area of foliage, you will need to
have at least 3 feet of trunk in the ground to prevent a major topple
in high winds. You can remove any amount of trunk from the base, but
considering these things are priced by the foot (approximately £20 -
£25/ft. unless it's a B&Q special - in which case a tenner a foot)
removing even a small length seems an expensive reduction.

Whatever you do, make sure that you prepare the soil well. Mix in
plenty of well-rotted compost or manure with the soil and provide a
good mulch in autumn. For the first 2 years, spray the trunk ... no,
drench the trunk daily in summer. It will take a good while to build
up a decent 'mat' of basal roots that can support the top growth and
until then you must make sure that those on the trunk can do the job.

"DavePoole Torquay" wrote in message
ups.com...
Rupert (W.Yorkshire) wrote:
At 13 feet high a Dicksonia Antartica (as a log) is a few feet too tall to
plant in its proposed site because it pokes above a tall hedge and will be
blasted by wind.
Is it OK to saw off a couple of feet from the base (not the top:-)).
Whilst on this subject how much trunk should be buried in the ground?

Due to the potentially large surface area of foliage, you will need to
have at least 3 feet of trunk in the ground to prevent a major topple
in high winds. You can remove any amount of trunk from the base, but
considering these things are priced by the foot (approximately £20 -
£25/ft. unless it's a B&Q special - in which case a tenner a foot)
removing even a small length seems an expensive reduction.

Whatever you do, make sure that you prepare the soil well. Mix in
plenty of well-rotted compost or manure with the soil and provide a
good mulch in autumn. For the first 2 years, spray the trunk ... no,
drench the trunk daily in summer. It will take a good while to build
up a decent 'mat' of basal roots that can support the top growth and
until then you must make sure that those on the trunk can do the job.

That's what I needed to know -thanks. With the smaller tree ferns I usually
put them in large pots and pamper them for a few seasons by which time they
have made a big fibrous root mass and appear to transplant well.
I only paid for a 10 foot DA but the supplier cocked up and offered a13 foot
at the same price. I paid £10 per foot in one of those 50% off sales so I am
fairly happy.
Incidentally I tracked down that fern chap you mentioned (Steve Pope)