Trachycarpus Fortunei

Trachycarpus Fortunei Palm Trees

Trachycarpus Fortunei is a quick growing palm. Trunk of it is entwined into a confusing mass by its fiber.
The erect, single trunk of Windmill Palm is covered with dense, brown, hairlike fibers, and the three-foot-wide, fan-shaped fronds extend from 1 .5-foot-long, rough-edged petioles. The trunk appears to be wrapped in burlap. A very slow-growing palm, Windmill Palm can reach 40 feet in height but is often seen much smaller, 10 to 20 feet tall. Windmill Palm works well as a framing tree, accent, specimen, patio or urn subject. It is ideal for use as an accent in a shady shrub border or by a front entryway. It does well in confined areas and is hardy to 10-degrees F. or lower.

Windmill Palm should be grown in shade or partial shade on fertile soil to look its best, but it is also tolerant of full sun on well-drained soils when given ample moisture in the northern part of its range. Plants should be watered faithfully. Protection from harsh winds will minimize leaf tearing, but plants can be used successfully close to the shore, being quite tolerant of salt and wind. There are fine examples of mass plantings where palms are spaced six to 10 feet apart around a patio or sitting area. They have also been used very successfully lining an entry walk to a large building. This adds a formal elegance to any structure, especially one with a glass facade. Propagation is by seed. Windmill Palm may be infected by root rot, moderately susceptible to lethal yellowing disease, and leaf spots.