Palm Tree Care Page
Keep your Palms Healthy and Thriving!
The Windmill Palm
Botanical Name: Trachycarpus fortunei
If you are searching for a tropical plant specimen that will lend that trade-wind ambiance to your landscape during temperate months and, yet, is still hardy enough to survive a frigid winter, look no further. The windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) is just such a specimen. Not native to North America, but able to survive in USDA zones 7-11, windmill palm trees are a hardy palm variety (to 10 degrees F./-12 C. or lower) that can withstand a layer of snow.
Why? It's super cold hardy. In fact, the Windmill is the cold hardiest palm variety available and adapts to most climates and soil types. So, if you're looking for exotic vibes in nearly any climate, the Windmill fits the bill. Windmill palm is non-toxic to pets and humans, but other palms are. If you have any questions about palm trees you or your pet have eaten, call your doctor or veterinarian immediately.
The fronds, which measure between 55 and 75 inches long extend outward from petioles that measure about 24 to 39 inches long. The bases of the leaves create coarse covering on the trunk, which gives it a rough texture. The trunk is also covered with thick brown hair-like fibers.
While the windmill palm can reach heights of up to 40 feet, it grows slowly approximately less than 8 inches a year. Generally, they’re seen standing between 10 and 20 feet tall and approximately 12 feet wide.
Planting:
First, select a location with full to partial sun and well-drained soil. Full to partial sun generally means about 4 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day, with some afternoon shade to keep those fronds looking lush and green. When you've found your location, dig a hole that's about one and a half to two times the width of your plant's root ball, place your Windmill and then backfill the soil. Tamp down and water to settle the roots. If you want to plant several windmill palms, plant them 6-10 feet apart from one another to limit competition for water and nutrients.
Windmill palm planting should occur with some consideration to sheltering, as winds will cause leaf shredding. Despite this caution, windmill palm planting does occur successfully close to ocean shores and is tolerant of salt and winds there. Finally, spread a 2 to 3-inch layer of mulch around the area (ensuring you keep away from the Windmill's trunk).
Watering:
When newly planted, windmill palms require a lot of water to grow a healthy root system. Water them every two to three days for the first three months, then just once a week from then on, except for summers. If the weather is consistently hot or dry, you may need to water twice a week. You want the soil damp at all times but never soggy. That means setting a regular watering schedule. Generally, watering your Windmill about once or twice a week should suffice. If you're not sure when to water your Windmill, simply check the surrounding soil with your finger, down to about 2 or 3 inches. If the soil is dry here, it's time to water your tree. Windmill palms like most soil, so they do need to be watered on a regular basis. However, avoid over-watering, as excessive moisture can lead to root rot. As mentioned, to avoid root rot, make sure to plant this palm in well-draining soil. Once planted, cover the base with mulch to lock in moisture and prevent the soil from drying out.
Fertilizing:
Windmill palm needs a slow-release fertilizer twice a year: first in the spring, then again in summer or fall, mature trees should be fed more and younger trees should be fed less.
With that said, if you want to enhance the growth rate of this slow-growing tree and ensure it remains healthy, you can feed it with a 10-10-10 slow-release fertilizer. To feed, apply fertilizer around the soil underneath the canopy. Avoid placing fertilizer directly up against the trunk. Water the soil well before feeding to avoid burning the roots. Also, epsom salt is rich in the vital plant nutrients – magnesium and sulfate. You could also add eggshells to the mix to provide potassium and calcium. Homemade palm tree fertilizer is not only very safe to use and feed the plant with, but also inexpensive.
Pruning:
There are no pruning requirements for this tree except for the standard advice to prune away any parts that have become dead, damaged, or diseased. Palms replace their leaves throughout the growing season. Cut leaves that are entirely brown or yellow at the base-near the stem or at the soil. Be sure not to tug the leaves, as this can damage healthy parts of the plant. If only part of the leaf is brown or yellow, remove only the affected area.