How to Grow and Care for Windmill Palm Tree

This frost-tolerant palm is the hardiest tropical-looking tree

The windmill palm tree, also known as Chinese fan palm and Chusan palm, is one of the hardiest palm trees available. It is one of the few palms that can survive freezing temperatures (down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit). Windmill palm trees grow best in partial sun or full sun, and they prefer acidic to neutral soil with temperatures between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Windmill Palm Tree Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing a windmill palm tree:

• Choose a location with partial sun or shade in southern climates and full sun in northern climates.

• Plant in loamy and/or sandy soil.

• Water weekly once established.

• Feed with a slow-release fertilizer in the spring and again at the end of summer.

Light

Windmill palm trees prefer a semi-shade or shady location but will tolerate full sun in more northern climates.

Soil

As long as there is good drainage, the windmill palm tree will grow in most soil conditions and pH levels. It does not like to have wet feet. The leaves are somewhat delicate, so a location sheltered from harsh winds is best, as strong winds may shred the leaves.

Water

Newly planted windmill palm trees should be watered every few days. Established plants should be watered once or twice weekly.

Temperature and Humidity

Windmill palm trees are cold-hardy, tropical plants. They can survive temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit and thrive in USDA zones 7-11. With cold and wind protection, they can survive cold snap temps of a few degrees colder for a few days.

Fertilizer

Windmill palm needs a slow-release fertilizer twice a year: first in the spring, then again in summer or fall.

Types of Windmill Palm Trees

Windmill palms are a member of the Arecaceae (palm) family, named in honor of Robert Fortune, a Scottish horticulturist who introduced the plant from China to Europe. In the genus Trachycarpus, there are 11 species, most are very rare, and T. fortunei is the most common. They all look very similar to windmill palms; some include:

• Trachycarpus takil (the Kumaon palm): Very similar to T. fortunei and may be more cold hardy than T. fortunei.

• T. wagneranus: Slightly smaller leaves and more compact crown than T. fortunei.

• T. martianus: More slender trunk than T. fortunei.

• T. nanus: Dwarf variety with a trunk that forms underground; slower to grow.
  

Pruning

There are no pruning requirements for this tree except for the standard advice to prune or remove any parts that have become dead, damaged, or diseased.

Propagating Windmill Palm Trees

Stem cutting or division is not a reliable method of propagating these trees. The most reliable way is growing windmill palm trees by seed.

How to Grow Windmill Palm Tree From Seed

The best way to propagate windmill palm trees is to use palm seeds to propagate new trees. Stem cuttings are not a reliable method. Here's how to sow the seeds:

1. Remove the fleshy seed coat and soak the seeds in water for several days.

2. Plant seeds, as deep as they are wide, in rich, potting medium mixed with peat moss.

3. Water regularly and keep in bright sunlight.

4. Seeds may take one to seven months to germinate.

5. When the seedling's first leaf is over 2 inches long, it can be replanted in the soil outdoors.

Potting and Repotting Windmill Palm Trees

Windmill palm can also be grown indoors in pots; it grows slow enough that it will be many years before it outgrows the space. Choose a container that contains ample drainage holes. As it grows, transplant it to the next size container. Here's how to transplant to a larger container:

1. Use equal parts of potting mix, peat moss, and compost. Fill the new container halfway.

2. Remove the tree from the old container, loosen the roots, and set the root ball in the center of the new container.

3. Fill in the sides with soil mixture, cover it, tamp it down, and ensure the root ball is at the same level as in the former container.

If growing windmill palm trees in containers outdoors, keep in mind that container-cultivated palms are less cold-protected than those planted in the ground. The ground insulates the roots while the container exposes the roots to colder temperatures.

The advantage of a container is you can bring the container indoors if the temperatures get too cold for the plant. If the plant is in a large container, put it on casters to make it easier to move around.

Overwintering

Windmill palms are hardy, but it never hurts to give yours some protection during the winter months. You can cover the crown and base with a frost blanket or a layer of mulch. Also, if the temperatures plummet below 10 degrees F, bring the tree indoors if possible, or wrap it in blankets or burlap to protect it from the cold weather.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Windmill palm is relatively free of problems, especially in cooler climates. Further south, it sometimes experiences problems from scale insects and palm aphids. Diseases are rare, though leaf spots and yellowing disease sometimes occur. If the soil is not well-drained, root rot may be a problem.

Yellowing disease is rare; it is also called date palm lethal decline, also known as Texas Phoenix palm decline. Candidatus, an unculturable bacterium, cause this deadly disease. Yellowing starts from the lower leaves and gradually moves up from the lower leaves to the tree top, likely spread by sap-feeding insects like plant hoppers or treehoppers.

A tree infected by candidatus should be immediately removed and destroyed to prevent disease spread. In places with a high incidence of this disease, a tree that has not yet been infected can be injected with antibiotics every three months to help prevent the disease from taking hold in the tree.

How to Get Windmill Palm Trees to Bloom

Windmill palm is dioecious (trees have either male or female flowers), and you will need at least one male and female tree if you want fruit production.

Bloom Months

Windmill palm trees are in bloom in the summer months, from June to August.

What Do Windmill Palm Flowers Look and Smell Like?

The floral spray or inflorescence is 1 to 2 feet long, cream, yellow, or greenish, and will pleasantly perfume the air around them. Male flowers are usually yellow and female flowers are closer to green. After they're pollinated, clusters of purple drupes (stone fruit) are formed in the summer. The fleshy fruits appear kidney-shaped, covering a seed.

Common Problems With Windmill Palm Trees

Windmill palms are cold-hardy, salt-tolerant, and drought-resistant once established. They are low-maintenance trees that are easy to care for with relatively few problems.

Browning of Leaf Tips

Leaf tip browning is usually an indicator of water issues—the plant has too much or too little water. Check the soil to figure out which it is. If the soil is crumbly, it needs more water. If the soil is soggy, it's overwet. Water more or less frequently, depending on your soil evaluation.

Yellowing of Palm Fronds

If you notice the leaves yellowing in your windmill palm, it can indicate several things. Yellowing disease (see Common Pests and Plant Diseases); the leaves are old, and it's the natural lifespan of a leaf; or a nutritional deficiency. To confirm a deficiency, test the soil. A soil test can confirm the absence of essential nutrients. Give the plant fertilizer to supplement the missing nutrients to bring the tree back to health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average lifespan of windmill palm trees?

Windmill palm trees average about 50 years of age, although they can live much longer in ideal climates and with great care.

How fast do windmill palms grow and how big do they get?

Windmill palm trees grow about one foot per year and can grow up to 40 feet tall with a spread of 10 feet. Typically, they average between 10 to 20 feet tall.

What is the cold tolerance of windmill palms?

Windmill palms can safely withstand 10 degrees Fahrenheit. However, with warming tree wraps, mulch over the roots, and wind protection, they can handle a snap of colder temps for a few days.

Besides landscaping purposes, are there other uses for windmill palm trees?

The leaf shafts produce fibers that cover the trunk and can be made into ropes, mats, brushes, brooms, or even hats. The leaves are also sometimes used in thatched roofs.

Read the original article on The Spruce.