Chinese Windmill Palm

Chinese Windmill Palm - Trachycarpus fortunei The Chusan Palm commonly named Chinese Windmill Palm is native to mountainous areas of Asia, China, Taiwan and Chusan Island. This palm is the most cold tolerant in the world, very suited to Melbourne, Canberra and western Sydney. It will also grow well in sub-tropic i.e. Northern N.S.W. The Chinese Windmill likes full sun and well-drained soil, dislikes soggy conditions. It is drought tolerant and handles moderate salt condition. Ok for containers if the drainage is good, leaves look tatty in windy locations. This palm is a fan palm; sometimes its fronds are almost full circles similar to the Rhapis Palm. The single trunk is very interesting with coarse fibrous matting, historically used in China for mats etc. It grows 10-15 metres maybe taking up to 100 years with a trunk of 20-35cms wide. Moderate to fast growing in the sub-tropics, not suited to the tropics. Grows approx. 30cm per year in colder climates, there are about 6 species of Trachycarpus Fortunei is the most common. This palm has no spikes and almost no serrations and is not dangerous to handle.