GROWING GUIDE / PALMS
Trachycarpus fortunei
Windmill palm
Windmill palm pairs a slender, fiber-covered trunk with a rounded crown of green fans. Its comparatively good cold tolerance makes it useful in some temperate gardens, particularly in a sheltered spot with reliable moisture.
EZTrees editorial guide · Reviewed 2026-09-26 · How we source our guides
Cool to warm temperate
Sun to partial shade. Afternoon shade can help in hot sites; shelter reduces wind-tattered leaves.
Can eventually reach 20–40 ft (6–12 m) in favorable conditions. Growth and ultimate size vary widely; allow overhead space even when buying a small plant.
Moist, well-drained soil. Avoid persistent saturation.
Right tree, right place.
More cold-tolerant than many palms, but exposure, winter duration, and plant condition still matter. A protected mature specimen is not a promise of success for a new planting.
Moist, well-drained soil. Avoid persistent saturation.
Water for the roots.
Keep the root ball moist during establishment and provide water through dry periods. Recheck containers frequently as weather changes.
A thoughtful approach to pruning.
Remove fully dead fronds when necessary. Retain green foliage and protect the crown's growing point.
Flowers, pollination & fruit.
Male and female plants are needed for seed production. Its small dark fruits are an ornamental feature, not a substitute for edible dates.
Worth remembering
Place it where a full crown can develop without regular cutting for clearance. Strong wind may tear the fans even when the palm itself remains healthy.
Further reading & sources
These guides draw on horticultural extension and botanical references. Local conditions and cultivars still matter.