Trachycarpus fortunei is an evergreen perennial palm tree species of the family Arecaceae and native to temperate and subtropical mountain forests of China, and parts of Japan, India, and Myanmar. The plant has been cultivated in these regions for thousands of years, especially in Japan and China, so it is difficult to trace back its specific origin.
| Common name | Chinese Fan Palm, Chinese Windmill Palm, Chusan Palm, Fortunes Palm, Windmill Palm |
| Botanical name | Trachycarpus fortunei |
| Family | Arecaceae |
| Species | fortunei |
| Origin | Central and eastern China. |
| Life cycle | Woody |
| Plant type | Perennial |
| Hardiness zone | 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 |
| Sunlight | Full Sun |
| Maintenance | High |
| Soil condition | Loam |
| Soil ph | Acid |
| Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Growth rate | Medium |
| Spacing | 3 ft. – 6 ft. |
| Harvest time | Summer |
| Flowering period | Summer |
| Height | 8 ft. – 10 ft. |
| Width | 8 ft. – 10 ft. |
| Flower color | Gold, Yellow |
| Leaf color | Green |
| Fruit color | Blue |
| Fruit type | Drupe |
| Fruit benefit | Showy |
| Leaf benefit | Showy |
| Flower benefit | Showy |
| Garden style | Children’s Garden |
| Uses | Container |
I. Appearance and Characteristics
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.
Growing to 12–20 m (39–66 ft) tall, Trachycarpus fortunei is a single-stemmed fan palm. The diameter of the trunk is up to 15–30 cm (6–12 in). Its texture is very rough, with the persistent leaf bases clasping the stem as layers of coarse fibrous material. The leaves have long petioles which are bare except for two rows of small spines, terminating in a rounded fan of numerous leaflets. Each leaf is 140–190 cm (4 ft 7 in – 6 ft 3 in) long, with the petiole 60–100 cm (2 ft 0 in – 3 ft 3 in) long, and the leaflets up to 90 cm (2 ft 11 in) long. 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.
The flowers are yellow (male) and greenish (female), about 2–4 mm (3⁄32–5⁄32 in) across, borne in large branched panicles up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) long in spring; it is dioecious, with male and female flowers produced on separate trees. The fruit is a yellow to blue-black, reniform (kidney-shaped) drupe 10–12 mm (13⁄32–15⁄32 in) long, ripening in mid-autumn.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Windmill palm trees prefer a semi-shade or shady location but will tolerate full sun in more northern climates.
Temperature and Humidity
Windmill palm trees are cold-hardy, tropical plants. They can survive temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit and thrive in USDA zones 7-11. With cold and wind protection, they can survive cold snap temps of a few degrees colder for a few days.
Watering
Chinese windmill palm needs plenty of water and plenty of drainage, so make sure it is grown in free-draining soils or a container with drainage holes. Check the surrounding soil often and water it as soon as the top finger-joint’s depth feels dry.
Soil
As long as there is good drainage, the windmill palm tree will grow in most soil conditions and pH levels. It does not like to have wet feet. The leaves are somewhat delicate, so a location sheltered from harsh winds is best, as strong winds may shred the leaves.
Fertilizing
Windmill palm benefits from adding fertilizer two or three times a year, starting at the beginning of the growing season. This can be done by adding a layer of mulch or compost to the surrounding soil. An alternative is to use a slow-release granular fertilizer specially formulated for palms.
Pruning
There are no pruning requirements for this tree except for the standard advice to prune or remove any parts that have become dead, damaged, or diseased.
Propagation
Stem cutting or division is not a reliable method of propagating these trees. The most reliable way is growing windmill palm trees by seed.
How to Grow from Seed
The best way to propagate windmill palm trees is to use palm seeds to propagate new trees. Stem cuttings are not a reliable method. Here’s how to sow the seeds:
- Remove the fleshy seed coat and soak the seeds in water for several days.
- Plant seeds, as deep as they are wide, in a rich, potting medium mixed with peat moss.
- Water regularly and keep in bright sunlight.
- Seeds may take one to seven months to germinate.
- When the seedling’s first leaf is over 2 inches long, it can be replanted in the soil outdoors.
Potting and Repotting
Windmill palm can also be grown indoors in pots; it grows slow enough that it will be many years before it outgrows the space. Choose a container that contains ample drainage holes. As it grows, transplant it to the next size container. Here’s how to transplant to a larger container:
- Use equal parts of potting mix, peat moss, and compost. Fill the new container halfway.
- Remove the tree from the old container, loosen the roots, and set the root ball in the center of the new container.
- Fill in the sides with soil mixture, cover it, tamp it down, and ensure the root ball is at the same level as in the former container.
- If growing windmill palm trees in containers outdoors, keep in mind that container-cultivated palms are less cold-protected than those planted in the ground. The ground insulates the roots while the container exposes the roots to colder temperatures.
The advantage of a container is you can bring the container indoors if the temperatures get too cold for the plant. If the plant is in a large container, put it on casters to make it easier to move around.
Overwintering
Windmill palms are hardy, but it never hurts to give yours some protection during the winter months. You can cover the crown and base with a frost blanket or a layer of mulch. Also, if the temperatures plummet below 10 degrees F, bring the tree indoors if possible, or wrap it in blankets or burlap to protect it from the cold weather.
Pests and Diseases
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Windmill palm is relatively free of problems, especially in cooler climates. Further south, it sometimes experiences problems from scale insects and palm aphids. Diseases are rare, though leaf spots and yellowing disease sometimes occur. If the soil is not well-drained, root rot may be a problem.
Yellowing disease is rare; it is also called date palm lethal decline, also known as Texas Phoenix palm decline. Candidatus, an unculturable bacterium, causes this deadly disease. Yellowing starts from the lower leaves and gradually moves up from the lower leaves to the tree top, likely spread by sap-feeding insects like plant hoppers or treehoppers.
A tree infected by candidatus should be immediately removed and destroyed to prevent disease spread. In places with a high incidence of this disease, a tree that has not yet been infected can be injected with antibiotics every three months to help prevent the disease from taking hold in the tree.
Common Problems With Windmill Palm Trees
Windmill palms are cold-hardy, salt-tolerant, and drought-resistant once established. They are low-maintenance trees that are easy to care for with relatively few problems.
Browning of Leaf Tips
Leaf tip browning is usually an indicator of water issues—the plant has too much or too little water. Check the soil to figure out which it is. If the soil is crumbly, it needs more water. If the soil is soggy, it’s overwet. Water more or less frequently, depending on your soil evaluation.
Yellowing of Palm Fronds
If you notice the leaves yellowing in your windmill palm, it can indicate several things. Yellowing disease (see Common Pests and Plant Diseases); the leaves are old, and it’s the natural lifespan of a leaf; or a nutritional deficiency. To confirm a deficiency, test the soil. A soil test can confirm the absence of essential nutrients. Give the plant fertilizer to supplement the missing nutrients to bring the tree back to health.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Ornamental uses
Windmill palm can bring a tropical look to many garden styles. Consider planting it along a driveway and on property entryways, where the tall, branchless trunk and upper whorl of palm frond leaves can sway elegantly in a gentle breeze. In addition, you can grow this palm tree in groups along landscape edges or plant it in a large container as a specimen.
- Culinary uses
The young flower buds are cooked and eaten in a variety of ways.
- Other uses
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.
