Windmill Palm Tree

Trachycarpus fortunei

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7a-11 Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Tree

Height at Maturity: 20 to 40′ depending on climate

Width at Maturity: 8-10′

Spacing: 12′ or more for space between trees

Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Arching Canopy

Growth Rate: Moderate

Flower Color: Yellow, White/Cream/Gray

Flower Size:

Flowering Period: Spring

Flower Type:

Fragrant Flowers:

Foliage Color: Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Berries:

Berry Color:

Sun Needs: Full Sun to Part Shade

Water Needs: Average, Low when established

Soil Type: Clay (Ameand heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sandy, Silty

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well Drained to Somewhat Dry

Soil pH: 5.5 – 7.5

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Cold (0F, maybe -10F), Deer, Disease, Drought, Heat, Insect

Description

After decades of testing for cold hardiness in our north Georgia gardens, the Windmill Palm has has proven to be the most cold hardy and long-lived of the upright tree form species. In 2013 established trees sailed right through 3 degrees F with no damage at all, which makes us think it might tolerate temperatures below 0F. The Windmill Palm is an upright grower with a tall trunk topped with a beautifully compact crown of green, palmate leaf fans that can be 3 feet across. Bright yellow inflorescences (flowers) erupt from a packet-like bud in late winter and early spring from within the crown. Our favorite of the hardy palms and one that is sure to bring a taste of the tropics to your landscape!

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing to a height of 20 feet in colder regions and 40 feet in subtropical regions, with the crown spreading from 8 to 10 feet wide over time, the Windmill Palm is ideal for use as a specimen, clustered in groups, or in straight or staggered rows to line a driveway, property line or street. Also a nice accent tree that fits in smaller spaces to frame corners or accent entryways in home foundation plantings and outdoor living spaces. Really nice around swimming pools, garden ponds and other bodies of water. Also suitable for growing in large containers that can be situated on sunny patios and decks. A fine addition to rock gardens, tropical-look gardens and the Xeriscape (low water needs).

Suggested Spacing: 12 feet or more for space between trees

Growing Preferences

The Windmill Palm is easy to grow in a wide variety of soils provided there is good drainage and full sun to light shade. We’ve had no problems growing it in the clay-based soil we have here in Georgia. That said, we suggest amending compacted clay generously at a 50/50 ratio with bagged top soil, sand, and/or small gravel. As with many other ornamental plants, constantly soggy soil or standing water is problematic. So just make sure the planting area drains well. It’s best to wait to remove old leaf fans until over half the fan has become discolored.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts for how to plant and care for Palm trees.

How To Plant A Palm Tree

How To Prune A Palm Tree

How To Fertilize & Water A Palm Tree

Plant Long & Prosper!

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