Hi Lindsey,

The tree yucca of that size that we have does not have a taproot, but a root ball the size of a beach ball. I took out three of them because a Jacaranda that was nearby did not like them at all. The stumps were almost impossible to kill, so I do not think that moving one would be that much of a risk.

In fact, in one location where I was able to excavate an entire root ball, I turned the ball upside down on top of the ground and it is still trying to sprout new growth after three years. I snap off the new shoots and rotate the ball every once in awhile to prevent it from rooting in the hopes that it will give up.

I suspect that the hardest part of the transplant process will be actually trying to move it since its cells are full of water; an entire plant will be very heavy. If the trunk or a branch breaks off, let the wound heal over for a week or so, then dig a post hole deep enough to support its height, and plant.

Terran

If it's a soaptree yucca (yucca elata) that you have then it might prove difficult because it has a taproot. I don't believe yucca faxonia, yucca rostrata or yucca rigida have tap roots if that's what you have.

Thank you, Terran and adp_abq, for your advice. I've tried to ID the tree online but don't know if it's a yucca elata or another type. I will hope that it's the same kind that Terran has, for my sake! Both of your help is much appreciated -- thanks!

I know here in albuquerque the yucca that is planted most commonly by builders is yucca faxonia (palm yucca). That can be transplanted pretty easily. Post a pic to id it.

Most tree yuccas transplant easily, except, as has been already mentioned, the Yucca Elata, whose flower is the official State of NM flower. Even those will survive (but with some dieback), as long as you preserve most of the taproot. Then be sure to put it in fast draining soil, and water about every 10 days in the warm season and stop watering in October. Good luck. dl

Hi all, new to the list. I would be very interested in a link to any expert or to research done concerning transplanting Yucca elata. I remember reading Wheeler in his published USDA booklet of the studies done by him in the late 40's and 50's. In it he stated that none of his Y. elata survived transpalnting for his studies at his research facility. Possibly there has has been some research since then???? Any help would be apppreciated---Mayo