Windmill Palm
Trachycarpus fortunei · Evergreen Palm
Plant Family
Arecaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental Palm
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species (Trachycarpus fortunei)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 7b to 11; exceptionally cold-hardy for a palm, surviving temperatures down to 5°F (-15°C).
About This Tree
A hardy, single-trunked fan palm featuring a compact head of stiff, dark green fan-shaped fronds atop a distinctive trunk heavily covered in fibrous brown matting. Highly valued for bringing a tropical aesthetic to temperate landscapes.
Leaf Characteristics
Palmate (fan-shaped) fronds, 2 to 3 feet wide, split deeply into narrow, stiff, linear segments with thin thread-like filaments hanging between segment tips. Bright green above and slightly glaucous green below, arranged spirally atop smooth, unarmed petioles.
Bark Characteristics
The true trunk is obscured by a thick, coarse, dark brown to grayish fiber matting made of old leaf sheath remnants, creating a hairy or burlap-like texture.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to central and eastern China, northern Myanmar, and India; widely adapted to temperate and subtropical climates worldwide.
Growing Season
Year-round evergreen growth, actively growing from spring through warm autumn, slow growth during cold winter months.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-draining soil with regular watering during establishment, but displays good drought tolerance once mature.
Mature Size
Reaches a height of 10 to 40 feet with a canopy spread of 6 to 10 feet; slow growth rate of 6 to 12 inches per year; lifespan exceeds 50 years.
Special Characteristics
Outstanding cold tolerance, wind resistant, pest and disease resistant, urban pollution tolerant, non-invasive roots, ideal for cold-climate palm landscapes.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides shelter and nesting sites for small garden birds; flowers attract bees and pollinators, while small blue-black fruits are consumed by birds.