BOTANICAL NAME: Trachycarpus fortunei
COMMON NAME: Windmill palm -or- Chusan palm
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Believed to be central & eastern China, close relatives found growing in India, Thailand, Nepal, & other portions of Asia
COLD HARDINESS: Leaf burn will begin at about 10 degrees Fahrenheit depending on the length of exposure. However, Windmills have made full recoveries from temperatures as low as -9 degrees. Windmills will generally do very well unprotected throughout the winter in USDA zones 7b and above once established. Many people are growing these gorgeous trees in zone 7a with some winter protection & zone 6's if they are in a near perfect "microclimate". Zone 6 gardeners should consider this an experimental palm to be heavily protected during winter months.
SIZE AND CHARACTERISTICS: If conditions are favorable, Windmills will grow to upwards of 40 feet tall over time. We have a 20 footer of brown wood, (about 27 ft. overall) at our nursery that was planted in 1987 from approximately a 1 gallon size. I foot of growth per year (or more) is typical of these trees. Windmill palms usually have a very full, yet compact crown of medium to deep green leaves. Mature trees make an excellent canopy to be planted near pools, jacuzzis, around decks and patios, ect...
Larger specimen sized Windmill palms are available by request...
we usually have large specimens that are heeled into containers in stock.
They are priced per specimen, but generally run about $100 per foot of overall height
