TRACHYCARPUS FORTUNEI

Common name: Chinese Windmill Palm

This is the most popular palm tree in the Northwest.  It is one of the most cold hardy palms available, able to survive temperatures close to zero.  I have two Trachycarpus fortunei's in my yard that have lived in the Puget Sound area for over 25 years.  Over that time they have seen everything nature could throw at them and are doing fine.  They are over twenty feet tall and a real traffic stopper.

Trachycarpus fortunei's are identified by their fan shape fronds and fiber wrapped trunks.  This is the palm tree for the home owner that wants a tropical look that can handle some snow.  

We highly recommend this variety as your first palm tree.

Full to Partial Sun

Cold Hardy to 5º F

Height to 40' in 30 to 50 years

Growth Rate is 6" to 24" a year, depending on location in your landscape.  They grow quicker in partial shade locations, since they are reaching for the sun. 

Variation: Trachycarpus Takil - faster growing with longer fronds but just as cold hardy.

BUTIA CAPITATA

Common Name: Pindo or Jelly Palm

The Butia Capitata is a gorgeous feather palm tree. It is the most cold hardy feather palm available. The open form that this palm tree has makes it great for planting a variety of plants under it. The plume type fronds gives it its name, feather palm. You will see these palm trees used in landscapes throughout the Southwest and on the strip in Vegas.

This palm tree grows as wide as it does tall.  As always with palm trees, good drainage is a must.

CHAMAEROPS HUMILIS

Common Name: Mediterranean Fan Palm

Chamaerops Humilis is a focal point palm tree. This is a multi-trunk tree with a parent tree in the center and babies ringing the tree. These palms are normally cultivated with 4 to 8 trees in a grouping. This palm will not get away from you in your landscape because it is a slow grower. Five minutes of pruning once a year is all that is needed.  

As with any palm tree, good drainage is important and easy to achieve. Please see our "How to plant a palm tree" page.

Full to Partial Sun

Cold Hardy to 0º F

Height to 20' in 30 to 60 years

Growth Rate is 3" to 12" a year, depending on location in your landscape. 

CYCAS REVOLUTA

Common Name: Sago Palm

The Sago Palm is a member of the Cycad family and not a palm tree at all. It is more closely related to the modern day pine tree. It is extremely slow growing with dark green fronds growing up and away from the main trunk. The foliage is stiff and perfectly formed. It is hardy to both heat and cold but good drainage is a must.

Shade to partial sun

Cold Hardy to 12º F

Height to 15' in 75 to 100 years

Growth Rate is 1" to 6" a year, depending on growing conditions. 

SABAL

The Sabal Riverside is a blue/green large fan palm that likes the sun and is quick growing.  The fronds on this palm can be five feet across on an eight foot tall tree.  Leave some room for this tree to grow.  I would suggest minimum of ten feet from a building.  The trunk will be 2 to 3 feet in diameter.  This is a very impressive palm tree.

Full to Partial Sun

Cold Hardy to 8º F

Height to 60' in 40 to 60 years

Growth Rate is 6" to 18" a year, depending on location in your landscape.