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What is this and how can I shorten it safely

EmontheuselessEmontheuseless Posts: 2
in Plants
Hi. Can anyone identify this plant please. Also, how can I prune/ reduce the height please without damaging it? Thanks

Posts

  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    I think it's Trachycarpus fortunei.  I'm afraid there's no way of reducing its height - cutting off the bud at the top of the stem, from which the fronds emerge, will kill the plant.
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • EmontheuselessEmontheuseless Posts: 2
    Hi thanks for your reply. I’m not sure it is the above, I’ve posted another photo view of the plant
  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    Well it looks like one to me too .If you want to keep it you’ll have to move it somewhere with more space .
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Me too. It just hasn't developed a trunk yet.  

    You have options:

    Leave it as it is.

    Try and move it somewhere more suitable in autumn.

    Dig it out and bin it.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    Hmm.  Could it be Chamaerops humilis, the European fan palm?  What do you think, @Obelixx ? 

    That's a Trachycarpus behind it.  But once again, you can't change the height of the plant, though you can tidy it up by cutting off any brown fronds.  
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I must admit @Liriodendron that I find ithard to tell the difference and, as you say, the same advice applies.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    I don't grow either of them.  But it's definitely a palm, and I believe they are all alike in that if you damage the growing point, they die.
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I think you're right @Liriodendron.  I've grown both palms, Chamaerops humilis tends to grow in that way while Trachycarpus has a more distinct trunk, like the mature one behind. 

    You can selectively remove any fronds to reduce the bulk of the plant without damaging it @Emontheuseless, but it's important to leave the central growing point intact, as mentioned above.  I often remove lower fronds to give my palm a less dense look.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    edited July 2022
    It doesn't look like Fortuneii. Could it be one of the Chinese palms?
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