Why does trachycarpus fortunei have a hairy trunk

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sasha10 Valsolda, Italy(Zone 9b) Aug 27, 2011

Does anyone know what purpose the hairy trunk of trachycarpus fortunei has? I presume that it helps protect the palm from cold weather?

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WeeNel Ayrshire Scotland, United Kingdom Sep 01, 2011

I think these Palms have the hairy trunks as a protection from droughtdrought, the hairs you describe help to provide some moisture when required. Palms of the kind you have are one of those types of tree that more or less looks after themselvesdon'tey don't ask for much except in somedon'tas, don't plant them where they will sufdestructiveestructive North or East winds that will cause wind burn to the large leaves and probably cause the leaves to look like you gave a haircut with a shredder, water as often as you can when still young and leave alone when mature, all you need to do is cut off the damaged leaves when seen and to do this, use gloves as the leaves are tough and can have barbs, hold the stem /leaf in one hand and use up-wardsng upwards cut more or less against the trunk to remove the damaged leaf.

You may find baby plants around the base of the trunk, leave alone till you see they havleavesutcuteves, caut away WITH a root (scrape some soil away to make sure there is root)
pot the cutting up in a suitable pot size and keep in a bright (not direct sun) for about 2 years before you plant out in the garden, remember they are slow growing plants but can reach up to 10 -15 feet in the right conditions.

IN your zone you might have to offer winter protection horticulturalticultural fleece or tie straw around the whole trunk and top, you will have to use either ladies hose (tights) to tie the leaves as this will not cut into or damage the plant, it wont be seen.
Hope this is some help to you, good luck. WeeNel.

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sasha10 Valsolda, Italy(Zone 9b) Sep 11, 2011

Here where I live Trachycarpus fortunei palms are extremely invasive (i often see them growing in the forest!).

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