Need real information on Royal Paulownia Tree

I have been reading about a "Fast Growing Flowering Tree" that is a shade producer for back yards. Known as the Royal Paulownia. It is supposed to grow 12' per year to a max of 40'.

Here is the salesman's information for it:

Botanical Name: Paulownia Tomentosa

Form: Deciduous tree

Sun Exposure: Partial Shade/Full Sun

Height/Habit: Up to 40'

Spread: Nearly equal spread

Hardiness Zone: 4 - 10

Foliage Type: Light green cordate leaves, broad crown. No autumn color.

Flower Form: 10" pyramidal clusters of trumpet shaped 2" long blooms.

Flower Color: Lavender blue with purple and yellow marks on the inside

Flowering Date: Mid spring right before and just as leaves are appearing.

Planting Requirements: Not particular about location.

Soil Requirements: Fertile, moist but well drained soil.

Growth Rate: Fast

Unique Characteristics: Rapid growing tree (similar to Catalpa in texture). Can provide shade in a hurry. Known for its large leaves and foxglove-like flowers. 15+' in 4-5 years. Can grow as much as 5+' in a year.

Pruning: Remove wayward or crossing limbs in late winter to early spring while dormant or early autumn to prevent bleeding of sap.

Additional Information: Very tolerant of air pollution

My question is this; Does anyone actually own one of these trees and are they invasive? The photos I see vary a lot! Some look like a tree with LARGE pink flowers. Is this a year round bloomer? Does it require a ton of raking? Is it a hazardous tree in windy areas? Will my neighbors all hate me in 5 years??

I don't find this tree listed in much other than a sales oriented presentation. I am tempted to buy but I know there must be real life experiences with this tree out there and I need your opinions

Thanks

The only thing I know about this tree is it is invasive but so beautiful in bloom. My sister in law considered planting one in zone 5 and reconsidered after reading how invasive it can be.

Joanne

check this link for additional info.

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ECOLOGICAL THREAT
[Princess tree is an aggressive ornamental tree that grows rapidly in disturbed natural areas, including forests, streambanks, and steep rocky slopes.

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Botanical Name: Paulownia Tomentosa

Form: Deciduous tree

Sun Exposure: Partial Shade/Full Sun

Height/Habit: Up to 40'

[40-50 ft.]

Spread: Nearly equal spread

[yes]

Hardiness Zone: 4 - 10

[In the West's Climate Zone: zones 4-9, 11-24]

Foliage Type: Light green cordate leaves, broad crown. No autumn color.

[fall color insignificant; foliage tropical like effect, light green roughly heart shaped sometimes lobed leaves 5-12" long and 4-7" wide]

Flower Form: 10" pyramidal clusters of trumpet shaped 2" long blooms.

Flower Color: Lavender blue with purple and yellow marks on the inside

[flower: fragrant 2" trumphet-shaped lilac blue; inside with darker spotting and yellow stripes.]

Flowering Date: Mid spring right before and just as leaves are appearing.

[brown flower buds the size of small olives form in autumn, persists in winter and bloom in early spring before leafout.]

Planting Requirements: Not particular about location.

[protect from strong winds.]

Soil Requirements: Fertile, moist but well drained soil.

[does best in deep, moist, well drained soil.]

Growth Rate: Fast

[yes]

Unique Characteristics: Rapid growing tree (similar to Catalpa in texture). Can provide shade in a hurry. Known for its large leaves and foxglove-like flowers. 15+' in 4-5 years. Can grow as much as 5+' in a year.

Pruning: Remove wayward or crossing limbs in late winter to early spring while dormant or early autumn to prevent bleeding of sap.

[if cut back yearly or every other year from an early age, it will produce a mass of giant-size leaves to 2ft. long but at the expense of flower production.]

Additional Information: Very tolerant of air pollution

[yes]

My question is this; Does anyone actually own one of these trees and are they invasive? The photos I see vary a lot! Some look like a tree with LARGE pink flowers. Is this a year round bloomer? Does it require a ton of raking? Is it a hazardous tree in windy areas? Will my neighbors all hate me in 5 years??

[They are very invasive.]

[Plant where falling flowers and leaves are not a problem.]

[Not a tree to garden under because of dense shade and surface roots.]

[Check also Paulownia kawakamii, similar to Paulownia tomentosa but smaller at maturity.]

I don't find this tree listed in much other than a sales oriented presentation. I am tempted to buy but I know there must be real life experiences with this tree out there and I need your opinions

Look for Sunset Western Garden Book at your local library. The info provided is from this book.

This is a tree that I have been trying to propagate here at home. I want to put it in a memorial garden for my uncle.

Papito, will it hurt my pond, with a pre-formed liner, if I plant one close to it? That was my uncle's favorite tree that he really loved...

Do the roots grow straight down?

Dianna

Some one named my plant that ..
Will post a photo after it quits raining here.

Penna
Mine is about 4 foot tall now ..From seed this year.??
Beats me if it is the one>

dodge

m.colson

Here my plant in my yard and someone told me it was a paulownia

Checkit out..sept4,2006......

Any one agree or disagree, let me know.

dodge [Linked Image]

I have a couple of these trees. If you plant them give them a enough space! The some of the foliage is huge and it has kind of a coarse appearance. My trees are about 30 feet now and they haven't bloomed yet, that I have seen (so no seedlings). I am not sure about the picture, this tree is often mixed up with the much more common Catalpa. I think the Purple or Golden types of Catalpa are a better choice. The Arnold Arboretum in Boston has a huge stand of Empress and they are impressive in flower.

Thanks.......

Someone on here told me it was Paulownia.

i wasnt in the market for any, but had 3 grow from seed and thought it was cute.
It has lots of farm country room.. Is almost as tall as me now..........
I hope whatever it is , will winter over.

Thanks

dodge

I think Longwood Gardens in PA has a road lined with Paulownias also. I think they are kind of messy as well as invasive.

Dodge, that looks like paulownia to me.

Terry

Thanks .

i will check it out.
I have only one to mess me up..ha ha

Gave the rest away.

dodge

they are great trees and a beauty when in bloom.

i don't think they would be invasive in AZ, probably can't survive unless watered.

if you like that style of tree, check into catalpa , it's cousin chilopsis \'desert willow\' , and the cross of the 2, chitalpa

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Originally posted by dodge:
Thanks.......

Someone on here told me it was Paulownia.
<snip.......>
dodge

Dodge I am not sure if your tree is an Empress, it is hard to tell from the picture. I just know sometimes they get confused with Catalpa. I was looking at one of my Empress trees and it is growing in the wrong place. I may have to cut it down.

Dodge

Sorry, but that is definitely not a royal empress or paulownia tree. I have been growing one for the past two years and the leaves are different, not as distinctly heart-shaped as those are. Also, to anyone planning on planting one, I wouldn't if you enjoy looking at fall foliage. This tree is hideous in the fall and, although it has large leaves that provide much shade, it looks rather like a large beanstalk. I am considering removing mine for something more pleasing to look at.

KD

fd

ha ha

Mine is only 3 foot tall..I was told it was mimosa seed???????

However being it is winter here,it may crook.

See I like seeing lot of stuff around and letting the least liked go to its grave.

thanks,

I have my doubts too.

dodge