landscape plant rescue league

We recently moved to Mobile, AL and we have a sago palm and what I think is a cretan date palm in our back yard. The plants are both plenty healthy - so healthy that they've grown huge and are dominating our small back yard.

We don't want to just dig them up and destroy them, and there's really no place elsewhere on our property for them. Has anyone ever donated or sold a landscape plant in exchange for having it removed?

Most curious,
Wyfe of Ent

I haven't done this but I bet you could easily do so... You might try contacting some of the area GHs and see if they have any ideas.

If you have a local Freecycle, there may be someone who wants it and will dig it out.
Good luck.

I had friends who built a home on a wooded lot some years ago and they found a landscaping company who removed trees for free to use in their business.

Call a local palm dealer. Around here, while some nurseries do sell palms, there are dealers that sell only palms. They have the equipment to dig and plant the large ones.

Definitely call a palm dealer or if there aren't any, try the larger/upscale firms if it's a big specimen. Tell them you are considering other options for your yard and ask them how much they will pay you for it. If it's a nice size plant, it's a win/win. They will not pay full price and you will get the trees removed by professionals who will care for the plant- and sell it for bib bucks to someone who wants it. My ex sold landscape specimens and my current has a palm at his old house that people keep trying to buy.

Maggie

There was a firm in Atlanta that paid $50,000 to move a very large specimen Japanese maple years ago. Crazy is what I thought, but it takes all kinds.

Whew, don't you wish you had one of those $50,000 specimens to sell. LOL

Thanks - some great win-win options! :)

It was a very large tree. I think part of the cost was closing down Peachtree Road for an hour or so while a crane carried it from its previous location to its new one. I wonder if it is still alive.

Some conservatory in England (or Europe) had a nearly black orchid that was insured for around $50,000 years ago as well. Then there are some koi in Japan that are cloned and are valued at $50,000. Yikes!

Just came across this thread! I'm real curious to hear if you found someone to take those Palms out for you?! I would think any landscaping business, nursery or specialty palm dealer would jump at large, healthy, FREE palms!