Ty Ty Nursery: Cold Hardy Windmill Palm Trees for Northern Climates

Most individuals do not equate snowfall with palm trees; however, the windmill palm tree can survive harsh northern climates and is one of the most cold-hardy trees in existence. The windmill palm tree or the Trachycarpus fortunei are available at Ty Ty Nursery and can be purchased and planted in states across the USA, including northern states such as Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan.

Trachycarpus Fortunei

Commonly known as the windmill palm tree, the Trachycarpus fortunei is thought to have originated in China, from where seedlings and specimen trees were imported to the United States. The palm tree grows fan-shaped leaves and a few feet wide, making them an excellent source of shade in warmer months.

The trunk of this palm tree is approximately 1 foot in thickness and can reach heights of about 1 foot per year, depending on climate. In warmer temperatures, the palm trees can grow over 14 inches per year, whereas in colder climates they may only reach a growth rate of 8 inches.

Once fully matured, the tree can be expected to grow to an average height of 15ft, although the final heights can vary from 10 feet-30 feet depending on the location in which they are grown. According to Ty Ty Nursery, windmill palms are known for producing copious amounts of seeds which are eaten by animals but are inedible for people.

Suitable for Northern Climates

There are multiple cold hardy palm trees that are available for purchase throughout the US. However, the windmill is the hardiest and can be found as far north as Canada. Ty Ty Nursery notes that in Switzerland, this palm tree can be found lined around Lake Lucerne and leading up to the city walls. In the US, the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) has broken down land into hardiness zones, starting north and moving down south.

Growing Zones

The Windmill palm tree can usually be grown in hardiness zones 6 through 11. Zone 6 covers a large area of the mid-USA, spanning from Kansas through to the east coast, with small areas of states west of Kansas. Included in zone 6 are areas in southern Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Ty Ty Nursery points out that the of the recommended zones as per the USDA, the Windmill palm tree can grow in zone 6 with temperatures going as low as -5 to 5 degrees.

It has been over a decade since Ty Ty Nursery began selling small windmill palm trees to their customers. Originally beginning with smaller trees, they have recently successfully delivered larger trees via semi-trucks to Illinois, New York and New Jersey. Ty Ty Nursery believes that the windmill palm trees will do great in the coming years in the USA, with the tropical feel and the hardiness to survive harsher northern climates.

For more information on the windmill palm please visit https://www.tytyga.com/.