T. Fortunei with creeping trunk

[Stefanus]

Hi all,

I discovered and joined this community today and I have a question regarding my Trachycarpus that I purchased years ago. I noticed that this palm, which was sold as “Fortunei”, has a sort of creeping trunk. I haven’t seen it before at any other Fortunei, does this happen occasionally? Or could it be that I bought another variety of Trachycarpus, for instance a Takil? Please see some photos of the palm below, also notice the photo from 2017 that I found (I had the idea that its growth went quite slow). For what it’s worth, I’m located in a 8a/8b zone.

Thanks in advance!

Stefan

[SeanK]

Common enough. Looks very healthy.

[Las Palmas Norte]

It's not the least bit uncommon to see T. fortunei growing obliquely. Once the palm forms a trunk base, it will begin to grow vertically.

[Stefanus]

Thank you both! New information for me😉

[Ben G.]

I agree with the other responses you got here, but I just wanted to say welcome to the forum! You have a nice looking trachycarpus there.

[LeonardHolmes]

I've seen this a lot too.  I imagine that the slow growth is partially due to the small pot.  By limiting the root size you limit the above-ground mass as well.  It looks really healthy for being a semi-bonsai.

[Stefanus]

1 hour ago, Ben OK said:

I agree with the other responses you got here, but I just wanted to say welcome to the forum! You have a nice looking trachycarpus there.

Thanks Ben

[Stefanus]

57 minutes ago, LeonardHolmes said:

I've seen this a lot too.  I imagine that the slow growth is partially due to the small pot.  By limiting the root size you limit the above-ground mass as well.  It looks really healthy for being a semi-bonsai.

Thank you for your answer, I suspected the small pot too for its slow growth. Nevertheless I got a few other trachys in pot that seem to grow a bit quicker, but these don’t have a trunk like this. I’ll consider planting it out in the garden.

[Arecaceus]

On 3/20/2023 at 3:48 PM, Stefanus said:

Thank you for your answer, I suspected the small pot too for its slow growth. Nevertheless I got a few other trachys in pot that seem to grow a bit quicker, but these don’t have a trunk like this. I’ll consider planting it out in the garden.

I encourage you to do so! They love our climate. I've never seen it on T. fortunei to that extend but most people here apprently have so I guess they're right. Though the trunk and the leaves give me some takil vibes. 😂 I wouldn't completely exclude any other Trachy type but if you plant it out and it gets bigger it will also become more apperent.

[Stefanus]

I took the advice and planted it in the garden, lets see how it performs the coming years!

[Marco67]

24 minutes ago, Stefanus said:

I took the advice and planted it in the garden, lets see how it performs the coming years!

Welcome Stefanus.  I don't exactely where you live but Trachycarpus will do fine in most places in the Netherlands. 

Perhaps you planted a bit close to the fence but that's hard to say from the photo. 

Edited April 8, 2023 by Marco67

[Stefanus]

34 minutes ago, Marco67 said:

Welcome Stefanus.  I don't exactely where you live but Trachycarpus will do fine in most places in the Netherlands. 

Perhaps you planted a bit close to the fence but that's hard to say from the photo. 

Hi Marco, yes we got quite some in the neighborhood. I agree its a bit close to the fence, but is the only suitable/available spot atm. I will replant it when needed.

[Las Palmas Norte]

It'll out grow the fence height before you know it.

[Marco67]

11 hours ago, Las Palmas Norte said:

It'll out grow the fence height before you know it.

Not all neighbours might like it when half your tree hangs over their side of the fence unfortunately. 

[Stefanus]

Short update, its doing good and it has become a bit greener past year. 

[Stefanus]

And apparently not the only one that started growing horizontally..

[SeGi]

one of my trachy also starts with a horizontal trunk long time ago, but grows vertical now

[Jimhardy]

This is said to be an Alpine trait seen in mountain plants to anchor themselves to irregular/

uneven ground that help the plant combat frost heave in areas where the ground can freeze

called the SFH trait...slope frost heave. I think T. Martianus and possibly T. Latisectus (coffee bean shaped seeds

rather than kidney shaped like most Trachycarpus) are the only ones I have not seen this in...although I would

have to look at some old pictures of my now deceased Latisectus to be sure....as they grow this curvature 

of the trunk goes away.

[opiecrunch]

My Naini Tal has the creeping trunk ad well..here in Kansas