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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.
Also known as Chusan palm, windmill palms get their name for its large rounded leaves held above a slender stalk, creating a “Windmill” like form. Windmill palm trees are covered with dense, brown hairy fibers with the 1 1/2-foot long, fan-shaped fronds extending outward from jagged petioles. Although the windmill palm can attain heights of 40 feet, it is a slow growing variety and generally is seen between 10 and 20 feet by about 12 feet wide.
Growing windmill palms does not require any specific soil type. Windmill palms grow best in shade or partial shade (but as it is a fairly tolerant species), they may also do well situated in a sun exposure in the northern range when supplied with ample irrigation. When growing windmill palms, it is important to maintain a routine watering schedule.
As said, these trees are not soil particular; however, they do prefer fertile, well-drained soils. 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.