COLD HARDY PLANTS
Growers and Breeders of Unusual Cold Hardy Plants
 

Trachycarpus fortunei 
Quantity of plants tested: 3
Size of plant tested: 3rd year plants which were started from seed in late summer of 1998.
Soil texture: sandy loam and covered with 2" pine bark mulch.
When planted: the plants were planted in the ground in June 2000.
Winter protection: 6" leaf mulch from late November through end of March, a plastic tarp covered the leaves from mid December through March.
Microclimate: cold microclimate, little to no sun during the winter months.
Temperature: refer to 2000-2001 winter on this chart
Findings: all three plants survived in the beginning of spring.  One plant pulled 3 spears, one plant pulled 2 spears, and the last plant pulled 1 spear.  The plant which pulled 3 spears died in June after pushing up several highly deformed leaves.  The plant which pulled 2 spears died in early August after pushing up several highly deformed leaves.  The plant which pulled one spear pushed up 1 leaf which was deformed, all other leaves afterwards were normal.  As of September 1, 2001, the plant has pushed up 5 full leaves, the 6th leaf is now opening and the 7th spear is right behind.
trachycapus_fortunei.jpg (24721 bytes) March 30, 2000 - This photo shows the size of the plants as of March 2000.
trachycarpus_fortunei2.jpg (74628 bytes) September 4, 2000 - here's one of the plants as of September 2000.
trachycapus_fortunei_2.jpg (64906 bytes) April 4, 2001 - this photo shows the "best" plant which lost 1 spear.  As of this date, the spear was still firm.  The spear did not pull until late April.  Most of the leaves were much greener a week ago when uncovered.  All the petioles are green.
trachycarpus_fortunei3_april282001.jpg (95923 bytes) April 28, 2001 - this photo shows the "best" plant which lost 1 spear and was trunk cut back about 1".
trachycarpus_fortunei4_june302001.jpg (68496 bytes) June 30, 2001 - here's the plant as of June 30, 2001 with 2 new full leaves and the 3rd spear pushing up.
trachycarpus_fortunei5_aug012001.jpg (44032 bytes) August 1, 2001 - here's one of the plants as of August 1, 2001.  This was the second best performer after the winter.  It has been growing since late April but is still pushing up small, deformed leaves.  It died in mid August.
trachycarpus_fortunei6_aug012001.jpg (58482 bytes) August 1, 2001 - here's the status of the best plant as of August 1, 2001.  Three leaves are fully open and the forth leaf is almost open.
trachycarpus_fortunei7_sep012001.jpg (46084 bytes) September 1, 2001 - here's the status of the sole survivor as of September 1, 2001.
trachycarpus_fortunei8_oct012001.jpg (64219 bytes) October 1, 2001 - here's the status of the palm on October 1, 2001.  Seven full leaves have opened by now and the 8th spear is pushing up.    The leaf lengths of the new leaves this year are detailed below:

Leaf No. 1 = 4-3/4"
Leaf No. 2 = 5-3/4"
Leaf No. 3 = 6"
Leaf No. 4 = 7-1/4"
Leaf No. 5 = 7-3/4"
Leaf No. 6 = 7-1/4"
Leaf No. 7 = 8-3/4"
Leaf No. 8 is still emerging
trachycarpus_fortunei_joeB_tim.jpg (58100 bytes) December 30, 2000 - here's the status of another larger palm in Smithfield, RI.  It was planted in the ground in the spring of 2000.  It's looking OK so far this winter and December was very cold.  As you can see, no protection was given to the palm.  
trachycapus_fortunei_joeB_leavecurl.jpg (41591 bytes) December 30, 2000 - here's a close up of one of the leaves.
trachycapus_fortunei_joeB_dead.jpg (53316 bytes) March 10, 2001 - here's the status of the palm on March 10, 2001.  Can you say "DEAD".
trachycapus_fortunei_joeB_deadtrunk.jpg (74456 bytes) March 10, 2001 - here' a close up of the palm trunk.  It died.
trachycapus_fortunei_2002_jan27.jpg (75557 bytes) January 27, 2002 - Here's the Trachy covered in mulch for the winter.  The leaves were exposed.  Notice how the leaves are already damaged with white slashes.  The low to date has been 6.7F.