The trunk is slender and covered with a mat of fibre. Their name comes from the windmill form that the splaying fronds create at the trunk’s crown. Good for garden, patio and effective near a pool. Windmill Palm Tree 3 Gallon Pot, From Amazon. The fronds are fan shaped and about 3 feet wide. The Chinese palm does not have any specific feeding requirements. The Windmill Palm is ideal for small gardens as it does not branch, making it fit into small spaces, side-yards, and rock gardens. Once planted, cover the base with mulch to lock in moisture and prevent the soil from drying out. Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus Wagnerianus) The windmill palm is native to China and is medium in size, typically growing to 25 feet tall with leaves measuring 3 feet across. Windmill palms are relatively low-maintenance trees; but, if you want to keep them looking their best, maintenance grooming is recommended. If you aren’t sure when to water, place a finger about 2 to 3 inches into the soil surrounding the base of the tree. Origin: It is native to central and eastern China. The cultivar group Trachycarpus fortunei 'Wagnerianus' is a small-leafed semi-dwarf variant of the species selected in cultivation in China and Japan. [3][4], Occasionally a male plant of T. fortunei, besides the usual spadices, produces a few other spadices carrying really hermaphroditic flowers. Family: Arecaceae Origin: It is native to central and eastern China. Slow growing up to 8 metres height it is cold tolerant and can handle temperatures down to -10 degrees celcius. The fruit is a yellow to blue-black, reniform (kidney-shaped) drupe 10–12 mm (0.39–0.47 in) long, ripening in mid-autumn. The Best Cold Hardy Palm Why Windmill Palm Trees? This sturdy, cold-hardy, low-maintenance species of palm tree is aesthetically pleasing and doesn’t require an intense amount of care, making it the ideal plant for both experienced gardeners, as well as those whose thumbs may not be so green. International House, It is a somewhat variable plant, especially as regards its general appearance; and some specimens are to be seen with leaf segments having straight and others having drooping tips. Propagation Windmill palm seeds will germinate in 8 to 12 weeks without a lot of fuss. To improve the aesthetic appeal of your Chusan palm, remove any yellowed or brown leaves and spent flowers. Disease infestation is also uncommon for the windmill palm, though depending on where they’re planted, may develop leaf spots and yellowing disease, which can be lethal. In the UK it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[7][8]. With a spreading canopy of up to 10 feet, the windmill palm tree (Trachycarpus fortunei) grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 … Monday—Friday: 9:00AM–5:00PM For best results, horticulture experts recommend fertilizing these palms on a monthly basis during the growing season, applying 0.5 to 2 pounds of fertilizer to the soil per month; mature trees should be fed more and younger trees should be fed less. The best time to propagate windmill palms from seeds is during the winter or early spring. The leaves are deeply divided and dark green in colour. Thanks to its hardiness, this palm tree can add a tropical feel to landscapes of cold climate regions. Since then she has gone on to develop a passion for growing vegetables & fruit in her garden. While seed propagation is relatively easy, it does require patience, as it can take as long as three months for the seeds to germinate. The shape of the leaves of the windmill palm tree is different from other palm trees. It is not recommended for South Florida. Tips for planting and caring for "Trachycarpus Fortunei", GardenBeast is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, Sago Palm Guide: How to Grow & Care for “Cycas Revoluta”, Pygmy Date Palm Guide: How to Grow & Care for “Phoenix roebelenii”, Chinese Fan Palm Guide: How to grow and care for ”Livistona chinensis”, Sedum Spurium Guide: How to Grow & Care for “Red Carpet” Succulents, Best Automatic Chicken Coop Door Reviews: Complete Buyer’s Guide, Best Indoor Plant Stand Reviews: Complete Buyer’s Guide, Sambucus Nigra Guide: How to Grow & Care for “Black Lace”. Usage However, it is not the northernmost naturally occurring palm in the world, as European fan palm (Chamaerops humilis) grows further north in the Mediterranean. The extent of this cultivation means that the exact natural range of the species is uncertain. The names Chamaerops excelsus and Trachycarpus excelsus have occasionally been misapplied to Trachycarpus fortunei; these are correctly synonyms of Rhapis excelsa, with the confusion arising due to a misunderstanding of Japanese vernacular names. If you’re looking to add a plant with a tropical vibe to your landscape, the windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei ) is an excellent choice. The fan palms (Arecaceae tribe Corypheae; palms with fan-shaped leaves) include all of the hardiest palms.Windmill Palms (Trachycarpus fortunei, T. takil) – is considered the most cold hardy palm in the world.These tough species are native to eastern China and the Himalaya mountains where severe (though brief) winter conditions occur. All are native to various countries in Asia. Extremely hardy, award-winning Trachycarpus fortunei (Chinese Windmill Palm) is an evergreen palm forming a small tree with a terminal tuft of deeply divided, fan-shaped, dark green leaves, up to 3 ft. wide (1 m). Hollie has written for a number of publications and is now the resident garden blogger here at GardenBeast. The windmill palm is a very hard species of palm and most adults can withstand temperatures that fall as low as -4 degrees Fahrenheit (-15 degrees Centigrade) and can even tolerate snow. The fibers are used to make a variety of products, including ropes, mats, sacks, hats, strings, and brooms. A medium-sized hardy palm with a tree-like growth habit. While the windmill palm can reach heights of up to 40 feet, it grows slowly and can take decades to achieve that height. [4], Trachycarpus fortunei has been cultivated in China and Japan for thousands of years, for its coarse but very strong leaf sheath fibre, used for making rope, sacks, and other coarse cloth where great strength is important. The Windmill palm is capable of growing and thriving in an diverse range of climates, from the inland heat of Southern California to farther into the northern hemisphere than any other species of palm. Trachycarpus fortunei has been cultivated for thousands of years; particularly in Japan and China, where it has been primarily used for is durable leaf sheath fibers. Its texture is very rough, with the persistent leaf bases clasping the stem as layers of coarse fibrous material. Windmill Palm Tree Info . [9] Young plants are less hardy, and can be damaged by only −8 Â°C (18 Â°F). The windmill palm … Size: Height at maturity is most commonly around 25 feet in our region, up to 40 feet in areas like California.Growth rate is moderate to somewhat fast with good care. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. [9], Specimens at English Bay (Vancouver), Canada, Mature plant in Solomons Island along the coast of Maryland, USA, Tree after a light fall of snow (Northern Ireland, UK). 61 Mosley Street, Manchester, Trachycarpus fortunei, the Chinese windmill palm,[2] windmill palm or Chusan palm, is a species of hardy evergreen palm tree in the family Arecaceae, native to parts of China, Japan, Myanmar and India. Windmill palms can be grown indoors in a container or outdoors in the ground. Thank you so much excited to see how my saplings will grow! Short of lifting the plant’s skirts, it can be difficult to identify the plant’s gender without a professional. As such, it can grow well in most soil types; however, do note that when grown in highly chalky soil, the green foliage can turn yellow. Its trunk will usually measure 8 inches around on a mature tree, though it tends to appear much thicker thanks to the loose fibers surrounding it. The common name refers to Chusan Island (now Zhoushan Island), where Robert Fortune first saw cultivated specimens. It can also be grown in full sun, but the trunk will be stouter and shorter. Read our complete guide to Windmill Palms for everything you will ever need to know! The Windmill palm grows up to 25 ft (7.5 m) and has a fairly slim trunk that measures around 8″ (20 cm). The leaves have long petioles which are bare except for two rows of small spines, terminating in a rounded fan of numerous leaflets. Though they are not native to North America, they can sustain in USDA zones 8a through 11. The species was brought from Japan (Dejima) to Europe by the German physician Philipp Franz von Siebold in 1830. To feed, apply fertilizer around the soil underneath the canopy. It was first described by Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius in 1850 in his Historia Naturalis Palmarum but under the illegitimate name of Chamaerops excelsa. Trachycarpus fortunei, the Chinese windmill palm, windmill palm or Chusan palm, is a species of hardy evergreen palm tree in the family Arecaceae, native to parts of China, Japan, Myanmar and India. Initially yellow, the fruits turn a dark bluish-black color when they ripen in the fall. All flowers grow close to the trunks of the trees. Appearance: Trachycarpus fortunei has a slender single trunk that is around 8 to 10 inches in diameter. In its native habitat, this tough palm is sometimes subjected to a cover of snow and ice. Company No.05695741 This makes tracking its natural range difficult. They typically have fibrous material on their trunks and are small to medium in size. However, on occasion the windmill palm can become plagued with scale insects and palm aphids. Growing to 12–20 m (39–66 ft) tall, Trachycarpus fortunei is a single stemmed fan palm. The fronds, which measure between 55 and 75 inches long extend outward from petioles that measure about 24 to 39 inches long. Unlike other species of palm tree, the Chinese palm is not affected by serious diseases or pests, further adding to the low-maintenance of this plant. In addition to the tropical fronds, in the spring, Chinese palms also grow large panicles of fragrant flowers that measure about 2 to 3 inches long. This tough but beautiful tree may grow to 40 feet in height or more, but with its narrow form it doesn’t take up a lot of space compared to other palms. Additionally, as mentioned, to avoid root rot, make sure to plant this palm in well-draining soil. The female flowers are green in color and the male flowers are yellow. Mazari Palm Nannorrhops ritchiana. The Plants Database includes the following 2 species of Trachycarpus .Click below on a thumbnail map or name for species profiles. You can also trim off any crown shafts (the hair-like substance on the trunk) as it dies. Press Esc to cancel. The windmill palm is a very hard species of palm and most adults can withstand temperatures that fall as low as -4 degrees Fahrenheit (-15 degrees Centigrade) and can even tolerate snow. Fan palms. Though they are not native to North America, they can sustain in USDA zones 8a through 11. Greenwood told Earther that the Chinese windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) is especially cold hardy, and is commonly cultivated for this reason. However, avoid over-watering, as excessive moisture can lead to root rot. Not native to North America, but able to survive in USDA zones 8a-11, windmill palm trees are a hardy palm variety (to 10 degrees F./-12 C. or lower) that can withstand a layer of snow. If the soil feels dry, the tree needs to be watered. Every palm tree is different and their propagation methods and chances of success outside their native range will vary as well. This brings it into a climate not only with cold winters, but also cool, moist summers. The windmill palm tree (Trachycarpus fortunei) has a single trunk that stands erect. Generally, the Chusan palm should be watered about once or twice a week. Common names: The Windmill Palm is also known as Chusan Palm and Chinese Windmill Palm. If planted in poor draining soil or if watered too frequently, they can develop root rot. Windmill palm propagation requires a male and a female plant to produce viable seeds. Care of a Windmill Palm Tree. The trunk of this palm is a distinctive feature and has strongly persistent woolly fibers that form a thick coat. [11]. Native to countries like Japan, China, Myanmar, and India, Windmill palm trees go by plenty of names such as trachycarpus fortunei (its scientific name), the Chinese windmill palm, Chusan palm, and simply windmill palm. [12] It was later named Trachycarpus fortunei, after him. Windmill palms are hardy palms that grow in zones 8a – 11. Windmill Palm. It tolerates cool, moist summers as well as cold winters, as it grows at much higher altitudes than other species, up to 2,400 m (7,874 ft) in the mountains of southern China. You can also start it indoors until it gets too big. It may help to wrap the container with a clear plastic bag to encourage moisture and warmth. Therefore, if you would like a taller tree, plant your Chusan palm in a shady area, but if you don’t mind a shorter, wider-trunked tree, a location that receives a lot of sun will do just fine for this tree. Windmill Palm is happy alone as a specimen or growing along side other plants so long as care requirements are similar for the neighbors. Transplanting any early could shock and damage or even kill the plants. It has been cultivated for thousands of years, particularly in China and Japan, so pinpointing where it originated has proven to be difficult. Beccari, Odoardo: 1931 "Asiatic Palms, Corypheae", Martius, Carl Friedrich Philipp von: 1850, Stührk, Chris: 2006 "Molekularsystematische Studien in der Subtribus Thrinacinae, mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der Gattung Trachycarpus H. Wendl". Note that this plant should be planted in sheltered sites when grown in Zone 7. Propagation: Windmill palm seeds will germinate in 8 … Once planted, water the soil and place the container in a warm, moist location. The windmill palm fares best in shaded areas, where it will grow a thinner, yet taller trunk. In it's early growth, it can grow one to two feet a year. In its native habitat, this tough palm is sometimes subjected to a cover of snow and ice. Advertiser Disclosure: She has an affinity with nature and loves to share her knowledge gained over a lifetime with readers online. Begin growing indoors and in the summer, the young trees can be moved outdoors. Chusan windmill palms can be propagated by seeds. Interestingly, the term "Windmill Palm" is used to describe the most common species of the group (Trachycarpus fortunei) as well as the group in general. Windmill palm, Trachycarpus fortunei, our Mystery Plant is not at all native, although it is sometimes mistaken for Sabal palmetto, the “palmetto” tree. Many species have remarkable cold tolerance. Beccari, Odoardo: 1920 "Recens Palme Vecchio Mondo". It grows in places as far away as Canada and Scotland, but it's also a versatile and attractive choice for North and Central Florida gardens. Type above and press Enter to search. [1][3][5][6], Windmill palm is one of the hardiest palms. Each leaf is 140–190 cm (55–75 in) long, with the petiole 60–100 cm (24–39 in) long, and the leaflets up to 90 cm (35 in) long. The Windmill palm tree (Trachycarpus fortunei) is native to China and Japan and is one of the hardiest species of palm tree. It is one of the hardiest palms growing in the mountains of southern China. Beccari, Odoardo: 1905 "Le Palme del Genere Trachycarpus". This palm tree can be seen mostly in China, but it is so tolerant it can grow even in freezing conditions. The trunk is covered with a loose mat of coarse gray or brown fiber and is a bit narrower at … If multiples are planted close together, the Windmill Palm creates a cluster or grove in tropical garden schemes. They rise atop a stout trunk that is densely covered with hairy black fibers from old leaf sheaths. To achieve the best results, plant it in relatively fertile, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. The palm leaves are 18 to 36 inches. The windmill palm thrives in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11 in the southern and western coastal states, but is not native to the United States. If you are looking to add a tropical vibe to your landscape, conservatory, patio, or sitting area, the windmill palm is a great choice. Scientific name: Trachycarpus fortunei Common names: The Windmill Palm is also known as Chusan Palm and Chinese Windmill Palm. Hollie is a life-long gardener, having started helping her Dad work on their yard when she was just 5. In addition to windmill palm, this species of palm tree is also referred to as the Chinese windmill palm (though, as mentioned, it has not been determined that it originated in China), the Chusan palm, and the fan palm. 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