Removing a Fruiting Banana Tree: Separating Pups from Mother Plant

A neighbor in Charlotte County wants to remove a banana clump with three trunks, one currently fruiting. The asker wants to know digging depth/width and if fruit will be harmed.

Advice

Nick suggests the mother plant with fruit has an extensive corm; better to leave it and transplant the pups. Cut vertically with a long-bladed shovel along the mother's trunk to separate a pup with a portion of corm and roots. He also invites the asker to a banana lecture at the extension office on Oct 13.