My understanding is that if there is significant root damage they they transplant poorly. Try to dig up as much soil as you can and disturb the roots as little as possible.

Having seen the size of the needles on those on some gardening show I was watching, I'd think the "damage" from moving and replating those might be more for the "gardener" , who has to handle them. However, I wonder where you're getting such large plants as those sound almost like the size I'd expect for mature plants, and I wonder if they're container grown or from nursery beds etc.
Hopefully they're container grown ones in containers, which should transplant with much less root damage than some dug up for sale shortly before shipping them?

Thanks
Kinda confirms what I expected. These are field grown in Mississippi. They will be mechanically pulled then burlapped I want 20-24 inch root balls on the largest ones.
Sound about right?
Cheers, Brian

It's hard to tell if that company has being doing business for long with that particular palm and the digging and shipping etc. to know how well their plants do after arrival and the buyer's home, but perhaps garden watchdog might have some info. on that ocmpany? I would guess if they've been using that same technique for growing and selling those for some time, they must know what they're doing, but there are some unscrupulous growers out there that don't care how well their product does downt the road , once it's sold, though those companies usually don't stay in business long I'd guess!! As mentioned, if the care given to the digging and balling and burlapping of those plants is good , I'd guess they may be just fine!

Brian-
You may want to research how needles do in your area. It looks like your from British Columbia and while that is a zone 8 because of your proximity to the ocean I believe (please correct me if I'm wrong) you would be prone to extended cool wet weather during the winter. My understanding is that that can be more harmfull to Needles that cold, dry, winter weather.

Hi Brian.

I was given a bare root Rhapidophyllum about 16 years ago. It was originaly planted at my parents house in full shade, and it thrived. I dug it up when I moved to my present house, and planted it in full sun against a south facing wall. It has thrived there as well. I have divided the plant few times because of the spread, and gave away the divisions and most grew successfully in thier new locations. I think they are kind of bullet proof. The only thing is, mine suckers like crazy, and puts on little verticle growth. Mild coastal B.C. should be just great. Here is a picture of mine in Bremerton, Washington State.

-Brian

{{gwi:1184293}}

Looks great, I stand corrected.

Needles can be transplanted. Just prune off about 1/3 of the fans, plant a little deeper, use wilt pruf, water in with root stimulant, and keep well-watered. I've moved individual trunks with few roots this way and most survive.

How much of the parent trunk did you have to take when potting up the pups?

Brian ... I had several 25 gallon Needle Palms shipped a few years back, pretty much bare root with some jelly type stuff packed around the roots... they transplanted nicely and I have since moved a couple of them around in the yard with out any kind of damage or apparent shock .... they really took off this year ... atleast for a slow growing Needle Palm.

Virginian ... did not mean to but into your question reposted below ...
How much of the parent trunk did you have to take when potting up the pups?