The Empress Tree ( Paulownia tomentosa ) is a deciduous, flowering tree that is native to China. It is one of the fastest growing hardwood trees in the world and is classed as invasive in some states of the USA and in New Zealand. It is also potentially invasive in both New South Wales & Queensland. There are other Paulownia species that are not invasive that are better choices if you are in any of these areas, these are the Paulownia elongata and the Paulownia fortunei.
This species is stunning in Spring while in bloom with its foxglove like flowers, that can be a pink-violet or blue colour. It has an extensive uses in the timber industries and also as a bio tree. It is grown for its ornamental value and also for its timber. The wood of the Empress Tree is hard but is also very light weight. The trunk grows straight and can tolerate temperatures down to -25°C.
Check out our other Paulownias including the Princess Tree and the Dragon Tree.
Growth
Paulownia tomentosa can grow to 30 metres tall and wide but generally stays smaller between 15-25 metres. The juvenile leaves of this species have been known to reach as large as 50 cm’s long, however adult leaves are much smaller. The leaves are fuzzy, heart shaped and have 3-5 shallow lobes. The tree is deciduous but do not change colour before dropping and are often used as stock feed. The scented pink-violet-blue flowers are very similar looking to the foxglove flower and has earned the tree the nickname the ‘Foxglove Tree’. In tropical climates the tree may stay evergreen and struggle to flower; they can also struggle to grow, be flowerless and brittle in coastal areas with salty soil.
Will tolerate most climates and many types of soil but doesn’t like salty or heavy clay soils. Young trees are susceptible to frost damage but are frost tolerant once established. The Empress Tree is the most cold tolerant of the Paulownia species.
The Empress tree is also commonly known as the Royal Paulownia, Karri Tree, Princess Tree and Foxglove Tree. This species can be invasive in some areas. All Paulownia tree species will grow back if cut down but this one is quite prolific and can start to sprout in places you don’t want it to if it is damaged. It is its natural survival instinct to do this and can also spread easily by seed unlike other Paulownia’s.
FAMILY:
Paulowniaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold – Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-25 to 35°C / -13 to 95°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining soil. This species is a soil improver
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 25 metres (85 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 25 metres (85 feet)
pH:
5.0-8.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Deciduous, Fast Growing
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light – Medium
POLLINATION:
Insects & wind pollinated, self fertile with bisexual flowers.
MATURITY:
2 years
GERMINATION RATES:
75-89%
GERMINATION TIME:
2-4 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 6000
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
WEED POTENTIAL:
FACTS ABOUT PAULOWNIA TOMENTOSA (Empress Tree)
The Paulownia species is valuable to the environment. Paulownia trees absorb more than 10 times the quantity of carbon dioxide than and other tree and in turn releases large quantities of oxygen. It will also improve poor quality, polluted soil making them reusable again.
Paulownia wood can be air dried without the need for kilns, and is very strong in comparison to its light weight. This weight/strength ratio makes it fantastic for its uses in surfboard, boat and aeroplane construction and for building furniture, musical instruments and caravans. The timber is also warp and pest resistant, is not blemishes with knots and will regenerate after it is cut down!
In Japan, it is a tradition to plant a Paulownia Tree when a baby girl is born. When she is ready to get married the tree is cut down and it is used to make furniture; and other useful items for the newlywed home.
Paulownia has several medicinal properties and was heavily used in traditional Chinese medicine. There is a link provided to some research material in the ‘Medicinal Qualities’ section above.
