Royal Empress Paulownia

[just.wing.it]

Decided to make a new thread for this "trash tree", as my neighbor calls it.
Paulownia Tomentosa.
Fastest growing tree in the world I hear.
Dug it up from my yard in 2015:

Here it is early spring this year:
The main leader died back in a late frost. So I cut it off. At this point the whole trunk was about as thick as a #2 pencil.

Here it is today:
Trunk is over 1 inch thick now.
Its always had that curve in it, it was growing on a hill on the side of the house originally. So it's all natural.


I have no clue what the future holds for this tree, but it's fun to have.

 

[BethF]

You might have a challenge with leaf reduction; they're as big as your dog's head! What is the common name of that tree?

 

[aml1014]

Kinda makes me want a catalpa, if I can find a nice sized trunk.
Cool tree!

Aaron

 

[just.wing.it]

You might have a challenge with leaf reduction; they're as big as your dog's head! What is the common name of that tree?

It's called the Empress Tree, Royal Empress, Purple Princess.
When mature, they make large clusters of fragrant purple flowers in early spring, before the leaves come in.
I've read that it is an "imposter species" because it looks like Catalpa, even the flowers look and smell similar, Catalpas bloom later though, after leafing out, and the blooms are white.

 

[just.wing.it]

Kinda makes me want a catalpa, if I can find a nice sized trunk.
Cool tree!

Aaron

I thought it was catalpa when I dug it up.

 

[just.wing.it]

Like Catalpa, which I see manicured in yards around here, the leaves do reduce eventually. It seems like, as they grow each year, there are more and smaller leaves. But for the first decade or so, it's like umbrella leaves.

 

[aml1014]

Like Catalpa, which I see manicured in yards around here, the leaves do reduce eventually. It seems like, as they grow each year, there are more and smaller leaves. But for the first decade or so, it's like umbrella leaves.

I saw the original thread. At least I'm only 21 so I've got quite a few decades to develop ramification. Just gotta find a nice trunk! Lol

Aaron

 

[Stickroot]

Paulownia Princess

 

[just.wing.it]

I saw the original thread. At least I'm only 21 so I've got quite a few decades to develop ramification. Just gotta find a nice trunk! Lol

Aaron

Do it!