Chinese Windmill Palms
These are Chinese windmill palms (Trachycarpus fortunei), also known as Chusan palms.
They are the most common and cold-hardy fan palms grown outdoors on the southeast coast of Vancouver Island (and elsewhere in coastal BC). The large, nearly circular, deeply divided fan-shaped leaves (palmate fronds), the somewhat fibrous/hairy trunk appearance on mature plants, and their frequent use in residential landscaping in that climate all match. The smaller spiky plants mixed in (especially visible near the ground and house number sign) are not palms—they appear to be yuccas or similar (likely Yucca filamentosa or a related species).
Growth size
- Height: Typically 20–40 feet (6–12 m) at maturity in good conditions; some reach 50+ feet (15+ m) over many decades in ideal mild climates. In Vancouver Island gardens they often stay in the 15–30 foot range depending on age, site, and care.
- Width/spread: The crown (leaf canopy) is usually 8–12 feet (2.5–3.5 m) wide. Individual leaves can reach 3–5 feet across.
- Growth rate is moderate (roughly 6–12+ inches of trunk per year once established, faster in youth with good water/fertilizer).
Lifespan
These are long-lived palms. In suitable climates they commonly live 50–100+ years; some specimens exceed 100–150 years with good conditions and care.
They are well-suited to the mild, relatively frost-free (or light-frost) conditions of southeast Vancouver Island and are among the hardiest true palms (generally rated to about USDA zone 7–8, tolerating brief dips into the teens °F / –5 to –10 °C when established, especially with some protection).
This is the only corner of the entire country where these can survive the winters!