Paulownia Tomentosa: Tree uses, benefits, and care tips

The Paulownia tomentosa tree, also known as the princess tree, the empress tree, or the foxglove tree, is a species of deciduous hardwood tree that is native to central and western China. It is a tenacious foreign invasive plant in North America, where it has undergone naturalization in significant portions of the Eastern United States.  ray flowers resemble petals.   

It is a highly fast-growing tree with seeds that disseminate rapidly, yet it is  a species from another continent. P. tomentosa was also brought to Western and Central Europe by humans, and it is now firmly establishing itself as a naturalised species in those regions as well.  Naturalisation

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Paulownia tomentosa: Quick facts

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What is Paulownia tomentosa?

Paulownia tomentosa is a fast-growing deciduous hardwood tree belonging to the family Paulowniaceae. It is from the Paulownia, a class of up to 17 species of hardwood tree. The trees produce about 20 million tiny seeds annually.

Paulownia tomentosa: Native habitat

The habitats of Paulownia tomentosa trees includes forests, stream banks and some rocky regions, where the trees can displace native plant species.

Paulownia tomentosa: Features

• This tree may reach heights of 10–25 metres (33–82 feet), and its big leaves can measure anywhere from 15–40 centimetres (6–16 inches) wide. 
• The leaves are grouped on the stem in opposing pairs. When a plant is young, its leaves may appear in swirls of three and are often considerably larger than those seen on mature plants of the same species. 
• It is possible to confuse the leaves with those of the catalpa tree. 
• The fragrant, enormous, violet-blue blossoms appear before the leaves in early summer on panicles that are 10–30 centimetres (4–12 in) long and have a tubular purple corolla. 
• The fruit is a dry capsule in the shape of an egg that is between 1 1/8 and 1 5/8 inches long and contains a multitude of tiny seeds. The seeds have wings and are carried by the wind and water. 
• Blooms cannot form on trees that have been pollarded since flowers only appear on mature wood. 

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Paulownia tomentosa: Growing tips

• For optimal development, Paulownia tomentosa must be exposed to direct sunlight. 
• It is resistant to the effects of pollution and may survive in various soils. 
• It is also capable of expanding via minute fissures in pavement and wall surfaces.
• P. tomentosa grows at a very rapid rate indeed.
• Once planted, the tree is almost indestructible, but it needs irrigation. 
• After planting the tree, mulch two to three inches thick to the drip line without contacting the trunk. 
• Two to three gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter should be applied monthly. Continue this routine until summer. Future irrigation should be unnecessary. 
• The empress tree isn’t fertilised. It thrives in most environments without any help. It’s a pioneer species that thrives in harsh environments.
• New shoots that emerge on young plants can achieve heights of 4-6 feet in a single growing season. 
• These trees will eventually reach a height of 30–40 feet and have a spread of 20–30 feet. 
• Because of this, they require a substantial amount of space to expand into and a location that has been selected with care. 
• As a result of its enormous, 12-inch-long leaves, paulownias require shelter from the wind. 

Paulownia tomentosa: Maintenance tips

• If you want your Empress tree to produce the maximum number of blooms, you will need to position it in a location where it receives at least six hours of direct sunlight every day. 
• If you are not concerned about the plant producing an abundance of flowers, then you can place it in partial shade without any adverse effects.
• They are most successful when grown in a location that receives a lot of direct sunlight, has a somewhat warm climate, and has rich soil that is kept slightly damp. 
• They are highly voracious plants, therefore their growth will match the rate at which they are nourished in rich soil with more compost or manure.
• The plant has been observed to grow in sidewalk cracks, uncleaned rain gutters, sandboxes, and campfire ash, which means that there is no actual need to stress over the soil conditions too much with the empress tree.
• Roots are tougher than the stems of the empress tree. Flowers and leaves die at 0°F, and the trunk dies at -10°F if the cold lasts long enough.

Paulownia tomentosa: Uses and Benefits

• The Paulownia tomentosa tree is commonly grown in ornamental tree nurseries for use in public parks and gardens. 
• Paulownia is a pioneer plant in the sense that it works ecologically as a pioneer plant due to its tolerance and adaptability. 
• Among other empress tree uses are its leaves, which are high in nitrogen, and provide good feed, and its roots help to avoid soil erosion.
• Paulownia tree is eventually overtaken by higher trees, which cast shadow on it and prevent its growth; without sunlight, it cannot survive. 
• Paulownia’s wood is used to build furniture, wood carvings, musical instruments, pots, bowls, and spoons in central and western China.
• The Japanese use Paulownia’s wood for creating sandals.

Atmospheric uses

P. tomentosa has broad leaves that are able to quickly absorb pollutants, and it also has value in lumber and aesthetics, both of which add to the curiosity around its application in carbon capture. P. tomentosa demonstrates a remarkable level of photosynthetic efficiency. Know about Ravenala Madagascariensis: Facts, features, growth, maintenance, and uses

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