A Paulownia tomentosa tree, commonly called empress tree or princess tree, only looks exotic. In fact, it grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9 and has naturalized throughout much of the eastern United States. Once you see an empress tree, you will find it easy to identify again – it has distinctive and fragrant pink flowers that bloom in an upright shape reminiscent of foxglove flowers. The flowers grow in clusters up to 1 foot high. Not to be outdone, the leaves on an empress tree reach as much as 2 feet across.
Water the empress tree regularly -- at least once a week during the growing season. The tree tolerates drought conditions but is more healthy and productive when the soil is moist.
Add organic compost as mulch in a layer 1 to 2 inches deep around the tree to help the soil retain moisture if you live in a dry area. Over time, the mulch will also help improve the soil texture. Be careful not to pile mulch directly against the tree's base as it could cause decay and rot.
Fertilize the tree once each spring for one or two years while the tree is still young. After the tree begins growing strongly, with vigorous new growth, stop fertilizing.
Stake the tree while it is young to protect it from strong winds if they are a problem in your area. Mulch is a necessity, not an option, if your tree is in a wind zone.
Cut the tree down to the ground yearly or every other year in late winter or very early spring if you prefer large leaves over flowers. You can also prune branches back just to the trunk to achieve the same purpose.
Spray with stong jets of water any branches or leaves that appear to be infected with the powdery mildew fungus, which you'll see as a white, powdery coating on leaves and stems. If spraying with water isn't effective, spray with a horticultural oil, a biofungicide Bacillus subtills, neem or a copper soap fungicide, and clean your tools with rubbing alcohol after treating the tree.
Cut off cankers, small dead areas on twigs or branches on new empress trees, with clippers and loppers. Keeping your empress tree healthy is the best prevention to canker.
Things You Will Need
- Organic compost or organic mulch
- All-purpose fertilizer
- Stakes (optional)
- Clippers and pruners (optional)
- Fungicide or oil for powdery mildew (optional)
- Rubbing alcohol (optional)
- Empress trees grow best in full sun and well-draining soil where they can reach from 30 to 50 feet tall. They tolerate air pollution and light shade.
- Grow your empress tree either in the ground or as a container plant in a large container.
- Empress trees have no known pests that cause problems, and the dieases they may get are not normally a serious problem.
- Growing as much as 12 feet in a single season, an empress tree is invasive in some parts of the country.
- The tree will drop flowers and leaves, so be prepared for heavy cleanup periodically.
- Avoid planting other plants underneath its canopy because an empress tree has a shallow root system.
- Fine Gardening: Paulownia tomentosa (Empress Tree, Foxglove Tree, Princess Tree, Royal Pawlonia)
- The New Sunset Western Garden Book; Kathleen Norris Brenzel, Editor
- Missouri Botanical Garden: Paulownia Tomentosa
- University of Florida IFAS Extension: Paulownia Tomentosa: Princess-Tree
- University of Minnesota Extension: Cankers on Trees
- China Photos/Getty Images News/Getty Images