Tree Ferns, Dicksonia Antarctica Complete Guide

In this video I explain how to care for your Tree Ferns, Dicksonia Antarctica. Including Purchasing, Planting, Positioning, Feeding, Watering and Winter Care
I did research and here are all my findings shared in one vlog.
I mention that there are four vloggers whose videos I found particularly helpful, here are links to their vlogs
The middle sized garden: • Growing tree ferns - e...
George's Jungle Garden: • How to Plant & Grow a ...
Exotic Gardening U.K: Yorkshire Kris: • Creating a mini tree f...
RHS - Royal Horticultural Society: • How to look after Tree...
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Overview.
04:20 Purchasing a Tree Fern.
06:49 Positioning a Tree Fern.
08:41 Planting a Tree Fern.
11:12 Feeding a Tree Fern.
11:47 Watering a Tree Fern.
13:41 Winter Care for Tree Ferns.
#treeferns #dicksoniaantarctica #dicksonia #howtocarefortreeferns #treeferncareuk
#gardens #gardening #marksgardenuk
My Website can be found at: www.marksgardenuk.com/
email: [e-mail]

[@HaydnMowbray]

Great summary Mark. It's worth also saying that like any plant they're less susceptible to drying out if they're planted in the ground and also allow enough room for the fronds and some of mine grow to 7ft long each. Subscribed!

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Yes some good additional points thanks haydn. I will pin this comment. Best wishes. Mark

[@richardboisvert9998]

I just bought my two first Tasmania tree ferns! They have no trunk as of yet! I’m 70 years old so I know I won’t be around to see them get very tall, but I love these beauties! I will end up buying a couple tall ones but I want to make sure I’m doing everything correct! I’m growing these in a green house with ample shade ! Heated in winter to keep from freezing! I live on the coast in Oregon , really snows , but this week will be four days of below freezing! Thank you for your show! And info!

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Fantastic. A lovely message. Thank you. Hey! You're only 70, you may have 30 years of growth to enjoy. That's three feet! Thanks for messaging and I hope you do well with your ferns and enjoy them. Best wishes. Mark

[@amandapairama1627]

I am so happy to have watched this video.Thank you sir.From Temuka,South Island New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment. You are the other side of the world from me. Wonderful

[@Channel-nc5sq]

Brilliant video Mark. Thank you for sharing all that you have found.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thank you very much for your message. You're welcome and i really appreciate your encouragement 😊

[@diegorocha964]

Thank you for the amazing video. I just bought one in Los Angeles and now I want another one. They are just so beautiful.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi Diego. Thanks for this comment 😊 they are quite addictive... We have 6 and we still want more 😂🤣. Best wishes. Mark

[@MrRensan404]

A very comprehensive guide to raising Tree Ferns. I bought a home with 3 of these exotic plants on it and I did not know how to care for them. Your video presentation was a big help to me. They look beautiful especially when the leaves are lush green and spread well. I hope to raise more of them in the future. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience growing these fine plants. By the way, I live in San Francisco, California where the weather is always cool but not humid. So I need to do a lot of soaking of the tree trunks to keep them moist.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hello rene. Thanks for this lovely feedback. I came to your wonderful city several times. Our tree ferns are currently in large pots, but this season they will be planted into the earth. I'll post a video when they come out of hibernation. Thanks again for the message. Best wishes. Mark

[@susansweetser4963]

Can some one please tell me if top where the leaves come out fells rotten , soggy with no leaves can I cut the top off ? Will it come back ? Or is it dead

[@dustymeehan5984]

@@susansweetser4963 Hi Susan, Don't cut the top/crown section off. Only the crown produces new fronds. Keep watering it and looking after it. Hopefully, it produces new fronds in Spring. If not you could try "planting" a smaller and cheaper tree fern in the crown and seeing if it attaches and grows.

[@silje7783]

Hi Mark, I just found your channel yesterday. Very informative and I absorbed all the videos about tree fern and olive trees. I’ve had my tree fern for 6 years now and I feed the crown weekly in the growing season. I never water it otherwise and never the trunk. I bought it from The Tree Palm Company and received “tree fern feed” from them and that’s what I use. I never protected it from winter. It is in the ground, not sheltered, full sun and against the fence that in addition reflects the afternoon sun. The fern is thriving, each year getting more and bigger fronds. Wish I could post a picture on here. Hearing your story of the unfortunate fate of your 6 tree ferns dying within two years after moving the house I got scared to bits. I will start to protect it now from winter. We already had many nights of frosts (Bedfordshire), but this time of year is very important as new fronds are forming inside the crown. The old fronds were insulating the crown until that horrible storm when they drooped and exposed the crown. I’ll be taking extra care this year when it comes to watering because I’m afraid of the crown narrowing over time if I don’t keep it moist. Thank you for this video as you were the only one that convinced me to take a better care of that tree fern of mine.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thank you for this lovely message. It does sound like you already have a great formula for your tree fern. I hope this video hasn't alarmed you too much. Maybe a couple of small tweaks to your excellent routine might make you feel more comfortable. We're about to plant ours into the ground and experiment with leaving them there. I'll do a video when the time comes. I think I'll always protect them come winter. Good luck with yours and thanks for watching. Mark

[@yvonneodell5786]

Hi I an yvonne I found a fern in the bargain corner I think thy thought it was good as dead only £15 but I could see one only leaf stub that had been cut off it was Green all the rest are die .l,m full of hope I think I can see a leaf unfolding so thankfully for your info l never could have afford to buy one on my pension l,m 74 ON 24 JULY I LOVE A CHALLENGE .SMILING XXXX

[@pegeto123]

Hello , Mark my 5ft Dicksonia suffered badly after last winters sustained freeze in spite of fleeece. No new drones, most existing fronds now brown. Have you had this experience and subsequent re growth ? Peter T London

[@jeanhalliday8101]

Great video. Thanks, just bought bought 2 tree ferns for my shady area. Hope they survive with your instructions!

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Good luck Jean. They should do. Shortly i will be doing a video about how to protect them through the cold winter months. As i mentioned i did lose some a few years ago due to failure to protect them. Good luck

[@tomaszwoznica6647]

Rewelacyjna plantacja jestem pod ogromnym wrażeniem.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi Tomasz. Sorry I can't understand the comment and can't translate :-) best wishes. Mark

[@robertolesen5782]

Well, I see red banana and possibly a Thirnax Palm like we have here in Florida, right next door and of course, alocasia. Nice collection but we could only grow the Australian tree fern and always struggled with that because of wing mostly. A well done, informative video. Good job!

[@disciplesofjesuschrist2026]

We now live in a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. However, for nearly twenty years before that we lived in forest areas where tree ferns grew naturally all around us. Seven years ago we moved to a property in the suburbs and planted a forest of clumping bamboos (to make up for the gum trees) and gradually 14 tree ferns- mostly from second hand sources. They all did quite well but gradually we lost 5 of them. now we know why. They are all in semi shade and we know they cannot tolerate our hot Australian sun so we have always ensured they are protected. But even after living in the bush for all those years I had not realised we needed to water the trunks of the tree ferns! I only just recently found out that it is virtually absolutely necessary to be able to keep up the humidity levels needed here; so I have been checking sites for further confirmation of this and came upon yours. Thanks for the information (I am still not clear on whether we should be watering the crown as some say it can cause rot).

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

That's a fascinating history. In the UK, we say that you 'cannot overwater' the crown. So in my opinion, i wouldn't hold back. Our tree ferns are still wrapped up for winter. Thanks for the message. Good luck and best wishes from the UK🙂

[@KiwikimNZ]

I live in New Zealand we’re our tree ferns (pungas) grow abundantly in the right areas. I bought 6 and they took off really really well, looked beautiful. They lasted about 4 winters. One year after cutting them back ready for the spring growth they just never came back to life. I think I heard somewhere that there was some kind of fungi or pest can’t remember that was killing them it maybe the same in Aussie? I would water from the top and soak the trunk as well but water only in the early morning or evening :) ensure you feed them and also make sure the ferns are not in soggy soil. They can get rot in the roots :) oh and spray with diluted “neem oil” it’s a natural pesticide

[@disciplesofjesuschrist2026]

@@KiwikimNZ Kiwi, I see that the area that you grow your pungas where there are gullys which helps them thrive. You have a special place that is well cared for and your plants respond to your TLC. Keep up the good work and before to long you will have your Garden of Eden

[@KiwikimNZ]

@@disciplesofjesuschrist2026 oh thank you! It’s beautiful here in this country and I was just planning today actually a total re plant and build up of the soil today actually. I really want to introduce more natives, I have 1/2 natives in my garden but I really want to bring the bird life, bees and other little creatures back into my garden. I live the sound of the Tui and Bellbird and yes I hope to have lush pungas scattered throughout the garden to give it the tropical look, shame they will get a bit of Jack Frost came next winter, I’ll have to protect their little Crowns and baby koru’s ! I have just been given two large one about 6 foot, I just have to go dig them Out! Yes I will create my paradise here. Truly blessed x

[@disciplesofjesuschrist2026]

@@KiwikimNZ may the birds fill your garden with song and the bees create honey from nectars of flowers that fill an abundant garden and creepy crawly things that that scatter and compost to regenerate the beauty that the eye finds much gratitude.May your garden be a reflection of your own life, filled with vitality and beauty where others see you not only as caretaker of the land but to hearts of loved ones who cherish you

[@fernandolupepsa2890]

I grew up in south of Brazil and my family had 4 Dicknonian Sellowiana in our garden. 6 years ago we had to move two of these tree ferns from our front garden to our back yard and we did something wrong because they died. I was devasted. My mom still have two and they are beautiful, strong and they might be about 4 meters tall. About 4 years ago to our amazement a small baby tree fern started to grow on the ground between the two. It was given to my aunt and survived being transplanted to her garden. Here in Brazil they are prohibited from being comercialized.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

This is a wonderful story. Nature has a great way of surviving. I'm very happy you got a baby plant to replace the two you lost. Our tree ferns are exported from Australia to the UK. It is all done officially and each has a certificate. Thanks for sharing. Best wishes. Mark

[@stevestidolph9561]

Great information. Thank you

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thanks Steve. Glad you found it of value. I've invested in a couple more wonderful tree ferns and have added to the tree fern playlist on the channel. It is turning out to be a good year for them here. Mark

[@blooky102]

I'm making a collection of prehistoric plants to in the future I could make a prehistoric garden once I save up enough funds for a house with a garden, i will get rid of the grass and place mulch made of bark, peat, pine needles, and have lots of small fern species native to my area in the UK so mostly Bracken, and for the trees I will have a dawn redwood, monkey puzzle trees, and ginkgos(already have these trees potted up) and the tree ferns will be under those trees. ^^

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

It sounds perfect. Where are you? Wales? Where has bracken? Mark

[@michellestack2127]

Very helpfil advise ...thank you

[@peegee9931]

We've just bought our first tree fern so this has been really helpful. Thank you!

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thank you for your comment Phil. Hope your tree fern thrives. Towards the end of the year I'll be doing a vlog on over wintering

[@peegee9931]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK Thanks for your reply. Tips on over wintering would be much appreciated.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

@@peegee9931 hi Phil, i did an overwintering video, i hope you spotted it. Best wishes Mark

[@peegee9931]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK Yes, I watched it thanks. My new tree fern produced 5 long fronds last year after having just one when we bought it. We've had a very mild winter so they've all stayed green, although I did protect it with straw and move it to a more sheltered spot. I'm looking forward to standing guard over it this summer!

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

@@peegee9931 sounds like a really positive result! Ours are still wrapped up, won't be long now before they spring in to life (hopefully!)

[@Linsuasty]

Thank you, very much. God bless you. 😊

[@paulrichards4686]

Thank you. Very interesting Vlog. I'm going to plant a couple in North Wales. We have a mild climate in Colwyn Bay.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi Paul. I think they will be just fine in Wales. Mark

[@snoepox1257]

Thank you great information.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thank you for watching i appreciate your comment. Mark

[@allans7281]

Yeah I was wondering if they would be OK in full shade looks like they will be They’re beautiful plants I like them too border my entryway door Terrific video mate !! USA

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Yes I think warm full shade with plenty of water is ideal. Thank you! Hello USA! Mark

[@nowirehangers2815]

Thank you you’re a good teacher

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Well thank YOU for these comments and for watching my videos. I'm pleased it was helpful. Best wishes. Mark

[@nowirehangers2815]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK very helpful Just bought one and I live in Tasmania but had no idea how to take care of it I do now! Didn’t realise they were so slow growing though. Still,well worth it.

[@yupiisnaini9868]

Great video

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thank you very much indeed for your comment. I'm pleased you liked it. Mark

[@yupiisnaini9868]

Do you have an experience with scaly tree fern Cyathea?

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

I'm afraid i don't have any experience with that one. Is that what you have?

[@albertohernandez9772]

Congratulations for this video. is a good video for care this beatiful plans. Iam Mexican and a curius fact is that in Mexico we also have tree ferns of the Dicksonia genus very similar ti Dicksonia antartica!!

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hello Alberto and hello Mexico! Thank you for your comment. Do you know the full name of your genus? I'd like to look it up...

[@suereed1662]

Great easy to understand instructions. Thank you. Could you explain how far to cut back dying fronds please.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi sue. I usually take them back to about 2cm or so. My personal opinion is that you don't want to go near the living corm or rhizome. If you skip through last night's video "the fernery" you'll see. Mark

[@richardkeane2308]

Very informative vid. Specific advice on distinct aspects of growing /care. And utterly terrifying about where to position my future ferns. I hope to get a few in March, taking full account of all the advice given here. But if such an expert on tree ferns can lose his own tree ferns I fear there may be little hope for me. Nonetheless I'm ready to give it a go. I will save up for the biggest ones i can afford. Many thanks for your great vid.

[@richardkeane2308]

PS : I'm on the Dingle Peninsula.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi richard. I'm sure if you protect them from deep frost in winter and any severe weather also stop them drying out yours will be fine. Although i can understand the nerves about them. Good luck!

[@richardkeane2308]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK Thanks Mark. We don't get frost and believe me we get vast amounts of rain. So keep you fingers crossed. I now have them planted !

[@TheBarnz91]

Great video!. After having the best day at The lost gardens of heligan yesterday, I decided to buy a small tree fern from the from the shop there! I already love it and I hope with the advice from you and the man at heligan I can successfully keep it alive for many years!!!, One question tho, how do you water all your plants while away? I keep my carnivorous plants in large trays on a watering system!,, Many thanks

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi. I don't go away very often. But my neighbour will water them if they need it. Thanks for watching and commenting. I haven't visited helegan yet. It's on my list. Mark

[@TheBarnz91]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK It’s an incredible place! I have been to many places but heligan had it all! Loads to see, helpful smiley staff that obviously love they’re jobs! Highly recommend it!! Should I use chicken manure pellets on a small tree fern? If soo should I just use a couple per week! My name is also mark!! Thanks

[@mickrobinson8150]

My two very well rooted

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi thanks for this, did they root after you planted them?

[@mickrobinson8150]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK yeah they did

[@richardkeane2308]

Interesting. I'm still terrified of messing up !

[@gracesim1806]

Hi, just found this video and learnt a lot from it. Do you have an update on how the tree ferns are doing since you last planted them in the pots. I am currently thinking of doing the same but not sure if they are best put in the ground or in containers. Thank you

[@leebartholomew]

Hi Mark, very helpful videos. I have a 4ft Tree Fern which i am going to grow in a pot for now, how deep would you plant this? im going to use your method with the wood to hold it in place. Cheers Lee

[@julitostv3013]

Tnxs u for shareng idol

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thanks Julitos. I appreciate that 😊

[@bbbnz50]

We have the same tree fern in nz only its called Dicksonia Fibrosa , they are the toughest tree fern in NZ once you get them started they will handle any weather..and the best thing to feed them is compost mulch thanx for your info

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

I think the fibrosa may be s lightly different type. But similar in some ways. Hope all is well in NZ. Best wishes. Mark

[@gwenithalexander1618]

Not quite tyhe same, bbbnz ... Dicksonia fibrosa is similar to Dicksonia antarctica, only slightly smaller and has lighter coloured fronds.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

@@gwenithalexander1618 hi gwenith, was this the comment which you couldn't find? Mark

[@user-nw1rv5jb7f]

Hi Mark really informative thanks very much we have one question my self and my wife purchased our first Dickinsons and we have also potted it, it’s in a mixture of sandy loam soil mixed with mushroom compost we have noticed in the first couple of days that the ends of the already formed frones are turning black is this something you have experienced or could possibly give us some advice on many thanks

[@karenmilne2159]

Very useful video. Can you please tell me your watering regime for the winter when you take the potted tree ferns inside?

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi there. I don't take the potted ones inside I would just move them to a sheltered position and stop watering but wrap the crowns. There is a winter protection video on my channel. Search tree Fern winter protection.

[@andy231964]

Hi Mark Did you plant into only compost or potting mix too. Can you elaborate on the NPK tree ferns need? In the potting medium. Regards from Melbourne Aust.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi andy. Our feeding routine is as follows : we put a very small handful of pelleted chicken manure in the crown. Half a dozen pellets, which break down slowly. We also water the crown daily. We feed with liquid seaweed extract weekly into the crown. My belief is that the base will grow roots but these just give stability, so the feeding we do is at the crown. In terms of NPK, I'll check the product tomorrow when i go outside. I think it's quite balanced. Thanks for watching and hello to you in Melbourne. Speak again soon. Mark

[@Alan-og8iq]

Nice advice!! Thanks. Can you grow this indoor actually?

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi alan. Thank you. I'm not sure about indoors. I would be slightly concerned about low humidity. There is another type of tree fern more suited to indoors. I'll look up the name and come back to you. The tree fern i have is Dicksonia antarctica. Best suited i think to outdoors or humid glasshouse. Mark

[@deborahdearden6558]

I have just bought a very tiny Antarctica with fronds barely 3"long. We are in the North of Cumbria and can have frosts lasting several days. I plan on putting it out in June as yes, we do get frosts up until then and bringing it in before any frosts are forecast. Is there anything else I should do?

[@lyndasview848]

Thank you for such an informative video. I live in the Atlanta, GA area and found a small fern growing near my hot tub in a damp shaded spot. I don't have any tree ferns. It has been growing for 3 years and now has 6 new fronds unfolding. It is low to the ground. Could this fern have started from a spore? I did not plant it. We moved it last year to a better location, but still very damp. It survived a week of freezing temps by my covering it with a large plastic pot. Now that I feel certain that it it s tree fern, I plan to take better care of it. Thanks!

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

It may have arrived my spore. Let's hope it survives and does well in the new home. Mark

[@trojon]

Can you just bring them inside the home during the winter in the UK or do they need a dormancy period?

[@rickc1798]

Hi Mark, great videos, ive just ordered a tree fern from the palm tree company and plan to pot it, i see you use seaweed to feed it, is there a dosage you use and do you use the hsk palm fern feed

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi. We use liquid seaweed and wee mix it in a watering can as per the container. We don't water the same day so that it sinks in. We've used tomato food but never used the tree fern product itself. Mark

[@blooky102]

I bought a tiny tree fern even smaller than the small one in this video, mine doesn't even have a trunk yet.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hello blooky. Thanks for watching. I have a really tiny one too. I'll show it in my next pond video. Mark

[@paulinekinsella8425]

Great help iwas giving one from my sister in law that passed away could you tell me what size pot would be right i think is 10 years old does it grow 1 inc a year

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

I believe they do grow about 1 inch a year. I think a pot just bigger than the trunk is fine. It doesn't need too many roots at the base. Feed and water at the top. I hope it does well in memory of your friend. Best wishes.

[@jeancharlespretorius9984]

I have a smaller one growing next to the bigger one. How do I go about separating it?

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi jean. In theory you should be able to separate them. Protect the crown (the top bit) and then assess how you might prize them apart and dig them up. Keep them well watered after moving whilst they recovered from the shock. Mark

[@pttuanmudamas2256]

helo mark, hello, are there any different types of leatherleaf ferns in Costa Rica and Florida? because costa rica is highland and florida is lowland.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hello there. Nice to hear from you. I am in England. I did visit costa rica many years ago. But i am afraid i do not know anything about the plants there. Are you in Costa rica? Mark

[@Barronhair6]

Hi Mark, please help. My 5.5”Australian tree fern crown is in a bad way with only one frond growing. The others have black and some have even fallen out. This is due to wrong advice of watering the crown, which I think caused some front rot. My question is can i decapitate the whole crown and start again? If so, can I use a chain saw to get an even cut through? Do you have a website that I can send you a picture.? Thank you, David

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi David. My understanding is that you cannot cut the top of the trunk off the tree fern. What do you think you have done wrong? What advice did you follow? Mark

[@Barronhair6]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK hi Mark, my question is: is it ok to cut the rotten crown off the top of my ten as only one frond has stated to grow? Can I cut it off with a saw to make it even on the top. Can you please let me know where I can post pictures to you so you can see and advise me?

[@tulioalemao247]

Hello Mark! Can you tell us which website have you bought your palms from? I am struggling to find a fern palm tree at a reasonable price. Thank you for the amazing video.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi. I didn't get these from a website I'm afraid. We bought them from a local garden centre near stoke on trent, which is in England. Where abouts are you? And thank you for you comment. Best wishes. Mark

[@tulioalemao247]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK Thank you for the Reply, Mark. I am Brazilian based in Chepstow.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

@@tulioalemao247 the people we bought them from told us that they come in a container which arrives in February and are available until stocks run out. There is a place called 'the palm tree company' in Clitheroe. They deliver and you may be able to pre order. Sorry tulio i though you may be abroad somewhere. I hope this is helpful. Best wishes. Mark

[@tulioalemao247]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK Thank you Mark! Your advice was very helpful. I definitely will contact them. 😃👍🏻 Thank you very much.

[@francisnjie1586]

Great vlog…..have bought two. One named Vicky …..from state of Victoria and one called Taz (from Tasmania)….looking forward to seeing grow.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Brilliant names. I'm going to have to name ours now. Our collection have just sprung into life and I'm taking daily photos to do a timelapse video 😊

[@skajdius8056]

Would you happen to know why i have a few of my fronds snapping in half, do you think it could do with very hot weather we've just had? thanks :)

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi. I'm not sure. I haven't experienced this myself. Perhaps it is a combination of dehydration and winds. Where are you based? In the UK it does feel to me as if we have had a particularly windy year. Much more windy than usual. How ia the crown of the plant looking?

[@skajdius8056]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK Thanks for replying, the crown of the plant is wide and looks fine, im in the Midlands. ive kept it well hydrated and its quite low so the wind wont catch it, i have another 6 ft one, that is perfectly fine.

[@skajdius8056]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK I think its my neighbours weedkiller that is killing all my plants, ive had several die, not good.

[@kerrylane9551]

Is there anything you can do if your tree fern dies from not been watered

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi kerry. If it is truly dead then I'm afraid not. But i would say BE PATIENT. We had one which was dormant nearly 2 years. Please keep watering it and keep your fingers crossed. It may come back. You can see the one i am talking about in the questions and answers video i just published. Mark

[@patrickeyre4077]

Hi there. Maybe you can assist - will an Australian tree fern (several metres tall) invade a drainage pipe with its roots? I'm looking to identify the culprit, and it's the tallest tree in the vicinty.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi Patrick. I immediate thought is that it is unlikely to be the tree fern despite the fact that it is the tallest nearby. Do you know the history of the the tree fern, how long ago it was planted? Also, how tall is it? I don't believe they are particularly deep rooted, especially if it was planted recently.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

I'm about to publish a new tree fern video "questions and answers" which shows what the base of one looks like when purchesed.

[@patrickeyre4077]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK Thanks for replying, Mark. It's stem/trunk is about 8 feet tall. But it has been in that spot for 20 years (we planted it their from a large pot). Thing is, the fellow that snakes the drain has a camera, so we know how far the blockage is, and this fern is the only well-established tree in that range. The rest is mainly lawn, and a few shrubs. The roots that we cut (with a hi-pressure hose) and extract are dense, and look a lot like pics I see on the internet, not that that's conclusive. But if tree ferns don't send invasive roots several feet down, then it's unlikely to be the culprit, I would think. You mentioned they are slow-growing plants - does this apply to their roots, too? I'm having to cut them every 3 - 4 months.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

If there are no other potential culprits perhaps it is this tree fern. I've just bought a seven foot one, the bottom of which was chainsawed through. So a solution might be to simply saw it horizontally at the base and moved it. Are there any none tree like plants nearby like bamboo etc?

[@patrickeyre4077]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK Thanks again for taking the time. Are you saying there's no need to dig it up, just cut it off at the base? The videos I've seen about transplanting a tree fern recommend digging it out, root-ball and all, and immediately planting it in a pre-dug hole. Is there anywhere I can send a pic?

[@hedgewitch59]

I set up a drip system with rainwater for mine and I got crown rot and killed it. I've tried many times with different care regimes and they die every time. I considered getting a small one again but no. I've done all you said and they still die.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

I'm sorry to hear this. I'm not sure what has gone wrong there. I give mine a good soak at the end of the day summertime. And stop watering in winter.

[@Gtumrths]

Very beautiful, very expensive. 1 to 2 feet tall 200 Dollar! A bigger one we don’t even get here in the US.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

That is extremely expensive compared to the UK. It costs around £40 per foot here. The 5 foot one was £200.

[@gwenithalexander1618]

I'm wondering why my comment that I posted the other day does not show??? or where to find it?

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi there, I'll have a look for it. Was it on this tree fern video? I usually reply to all comments, apologies if i have missed you. Mark

[@gwenithalexander1618]

@@MarksHouseandGardenUK thanks Mark ... I live in Tasmania and made a couple of comments re treeferns here in Tassie and also made a suggestion re feeding tree ferns Yes, it was on this one.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

@@gwenithalexander1618 thanks gwenith. I can see it, is it still visible to you? What a mistery...

[@nowirehangers2815]

@@gwenithalexander1618 I’m in tassie too and just bought a tree fern Wish I could see your comments

[@fagen2222]

Love the video as I am going to bye one but the voice we don’t need to lip read you sorry

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thank you. I'm afraid i don't understand the lip read comment. Is there a problem with the sound at your end?

[@suncat5160]

too many ads

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thanks for this feedback i shall remove some. Best wishes

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Done. I'm on a learning curve, so i do appreciate the comment. Mark

[@nowirehangers2815]

Get adblocker

[@MrBrad248248]

Why are you talking like you’re hosting a childrens tv programme?

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Thanks for this Brad. In 12 months and 27,000 views this is the first negative comment. But i will take your feedback on board. Have you made some content for me to critique?

[@MrBrad248248]

Hi Mark, why are you taking it as a negative comment? I was just curious. Watch it back and try to deny that you wouldn’t look amiss presenting CBeebies .

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

If it wasn't negative then i apologise and thank you. It was one of my first videos after i just started out. I have watched it many times to try to better myself, never have i imagined it as similar to a children's presentation style. But i will give it some thought. Best wishes

[@ray_c_yuen]

It may not apply in the UK but I would like to see 'Summer Care' added to the topics. We've had a couple of days at 35 degrees Celsius and a couple of my plants have many dead fronds. They say it takes ten years for the trunk to grow a foot. I had some I neglected for thirty years and it multiplied into five plants.

[@MarksHouseandGardenUK]

Hi Ray. I have covered summer in a couple of my videos. Essentially, keep it well watered would be my approach. The fronds may suffer in severe heat but keep the crown wet. Mark