Common Name:

General Information

Trachycarpus takil is a single-stemmed, evergreen palm with an erect, unbranched stem up to 12 metres tall and 15 - 18cm in diameter; this is topped by a crown of fan-shaped leaves each uop to 120cm wide[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of fibre.
The cutting down of the trunks in order to obtain the sheath fibres has greatly reduced wild populations of this species[]

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - central Himalayas of India (Uttarakhand), ?western Nepal

Habitat

Cool, moist oak forests; at elevations from 1,800 - 2,700 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Trachycarpus takil is a plant of moderate elevations in the Himalayas, being found at elevations up to 2,700 metres. At these higher elevations winters can be bitterly cold and snow is common. Reputed to be one of the most cold hardy trunk-forming palms, in cultivation it can withstand temperatures down to -15°c
Likes a sunny position in a well drained soil.
An easy plant to grow, but rather slow.
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The sheath fibres are used to make rope[].

Propagation

Scarify or pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water then sow in a cold frame in mid to late winter. Bring into the greenhouse about 4 - 6 weeks later and the seed should germinate in about 4 - 8 weeks at 25°c[]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors.
Pot up suckers in late spring and plant out in their permanent position 12 months later.