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Paulownia tomentosa

Paulownia tomentosa

Empress tree, Princess tree, Foxglove tree

synonym Paulownia imperialis

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Description

Paulownia tomentosa (Empress tree, Princess tree, Foxglove tree) originally comes from China where it grows as a pioneer species on the edge of woodland up to an altitude of 1,800 metres. In Japan, this tree has been in cultivation for a long time under the name Kiri Zoku, temple tree; in the Western world, the species was not described until 1712 by German scholar Engelbert Kaempfer. The princess tree was named by German doctor Philipp von Siebold in honour of princess Anna Paulowna Romanov. Paulownia tomentosa can grow up to a height of twenty metres but the semi-open crown tends to develop to twelve metres and the same wide.

Paulownia tomentosa is known in particular for its large, bell-shaped, blue-violet flowers which adorn the tree in May like a kind of giant foxglove. The princess tree blooms on bare wood, the conspicuous brown flower buds develop in the summer before however and are clearly visible in the tree. After flowering pointed capsules are formed which contain winged seeds. The decorative leaf is heart-shaped, 3-5-lobed and with smooth edges as large as an elephant's ear. The leaf emerges blue-green, changes to bright green with a grey-green underside in summer before ending up yellow-brown in autumn. The name tomentosa relates to the hairy underside of the leaf. Paulownia tomentosa has a slightly grooved, grey-brown bark and the hollow branches, covered with white lenticels, grow fast up to a metre a year.  

The princess tree has fragile branches and, therefore, a sheltered site is important. Protection against the wind also benefits the early blossom. As a pioneer species, the princess tree prefers a sunny site but is tolerant of many soil types or pH value and roots easily. In warm climates the species can become invasive but this is not the case in cooler regions. Owing to the extensive, fleshy root system it is a sensible idea to plant the tree away from buildings. In large gardens and parks Paulownia tomentosa performs very well however and is wonderful for bees.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees multi-stemmed trees climate trees shade trees characteristic trees

Topiary on stem

fval multi-stem umbrella

Use

Location

park central reservation large garden cemetery traffic areas, industrial zones

Pavement

none none

Planting concepts

climate planting prairie planting

Characteristics

Crown shape

rounded rounded

Crown structure

semi-open semi-open

Height

10 - 12 m

Width

10 - 12 m

Winter hardiness zone

5B - 9B

Aspects

Wind

intolerant to wind

Soil

loess light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

moist

Light requirements

sun

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

Host plant/forage plant

bees nectar value 1 pollen value 1

Extreme environments

tolerant to dryness tolerates air pollution tolerates heat

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Photos

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high-stem standard tree
Paulownia tomentosa standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Paulownia tomentosa standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Paulownia tomentosa standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Paulownia tomentosa standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Paulownia tomentosa standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Paulownia tomentosa standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Paulownia tomentosa standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Paulownia tomentosa standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Paulownia tomentosa standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Paulownia tomentosa standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Paulownia tomentosa standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Paulownia tomentosa standard tree
high-stem standard tree
Paulownia tomentosa standard tree
multi-stem multi-stem
Paulownia tomentosa multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Paulownia tomentosa multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Paulownia tomentosa multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Paulownia tomentosa multi-stem
multi-stem multi-stem
Paulownia tomentosa multi-stem
half-stem half-stem
Paulownia tomentosa half-stem
flowers flowers
Paulownia tomentosa flowers
flowers flowers
Paulownia tomentosa flowers
flowers flowers
Paulownia tomentosa flowers
flowers flowers
Paulownia tomentosa flowers
flowers flowers
Paulownia tomentosa flowers
flowers flowers
Paulownia tomentosa flowers
flowers flowers
Paulownia tomentosa flowers
flowers flowers
Paulownia tomentosa flowers
leaves leaves
Paulownia tomentosa leaves
leaves leaves
Paulownia tomentosa leaves
leaves leaves
Paulownia tomentosa leaves
leaves leaves
Paulownia tomentosa leaves
leaves leaves
Paulownia tomentosa leaves
leaves leaves
Paulownia tomentosa leaves
leaves leaves
Paulownia tomentosa leaves
fruits fruits
Paulownia tomentosa fruits
fruits fruits
Paulownia tomentosa fruits
fruits fruits
Paulownia tomentosa fruits
fruits fruits
Paulownia tomentosa fruits
fruits fruits
Paulownia tomentosa fruits
fruits fruits
Paulownia tomentosa fruits
fruits fruits
Paulownia tomentosa fruits
fruits fruits
Paulownia tomentosa fruits
fruits fruits
Paulownia tomentosa fruits
fruits fruits
Paulownia tomentosa fruits
twigs twigs
Paulownia tomentosa twigs
twigs twigs
Paulownia tomentosa twigs
bark bark
Paulownia tomentosa bark
bark bark
Paulownia tomentosa bark
bark bark
Paulownia tomentosa bark
bark bark
Paulownia tomentosa bark

Flowers

Flowers

raceme bell-shaped striking standing big scented

Flower colour

blue-violet

Flowering period

May

Leaves

Leaf colour

blue-green bright green underside grey-green

Leaves

deciduous cordate big hairy

Autumn colour

yellow-brown

Fruits

Fruit colour

cinnamon-brown

Fruits

striking raceme capsule

Bark

Bark colour

grey-brown

Bark

striped

Twigs

Twig colour

brown

Twigs

with lenticels

Root system

Root system

deep extensive coarse roots fleshy roots root suckers

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
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