Landscaping: The royal empress tree - what is the real story?

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possumlvr4u Debary, FL August 27, 2007 12:26 PM	I was given a root stem from a Royal Empress tree. My neighbor, who loves trees gave us one and we planted it in a pot to start it growing. I am concerned because some sites say that it is a very intrusive tree. I do not want one that is going to overgrow my yard, but would like to plant a tree in front of my house that will grow rapidly. I have sycamores in my yard, but i need something to give the front of our house some afternoon shade. Any information or help would be appreciated.
missingrosie Hillsborough, NC August 27, 2007 03:09 PM	HI If you go to Guides and Information (one of the top tabs in Daves Garden) and then click on 'Plant Files' and type in 'Empress Tree' in the 'Search' spot, there is a great deal of info and comments from people who have it or know of it, etc.
ecrane3 Dublin, CA (Zone 9a) August 27, 2007 03:14 PM	It is very invasive, I don't know about Florida specifically, but it's a problem in other areas of the South so that would mean it'll be problematic in Florida too. It may not appear too terribly aggressive in your own garden, but keep in mind that it spreads is by seeds which can travel a decent distance away from your tree, so you're not going to see most of the babies. When the seeds get out into natural areas, that's where it causes big problems, crowding out native vegetation and multiplying like crazy.
missingrosie Hillsborough, NC August 27, 2007 08:13 PM	Also something else to think about --I know that trees that grow very fast here in NC (and I think the empress tree (Paulownia) does well here but we are warned about it because of the invasiveness issue) are brittle and break very easily. I always see the ornamental pear trees --very fast growers --split down the middle or snapped right in half after a good stiff storm or wind event.
Tir_Na_Nog Houston United States (Zone 9b) September 14, 2007 12:28 PM	Yes yes the bradford pear and empress trees are very fragile. There is a quote by someone famous...forget who???? But it's something to the effect that a wise man plants trees for his grandchildren. So basically you want trees that will last a lifetime at least. I had thought this empress tree sounded awesome myself until I read up on it. Good luck!
novicegardenTN Nolensville, TN May 29, 2009 12:25 PM	I am thinking of ordering 5 Royal Empress trees for beauty/privacy in a bare field between my house and some other houses. I have read a lot about the invasive trees but have found some nurserys that carry the cloned, sterile trees and they are not invasive like the wild trees. Anyone know if this is accurate? I want to order but am feeling skeptical....
ecrane3 Dublin, CA (Zone 9a) May 29, 2009 03:16 PM	I am not aware of any Paulownias that are sterile, so I would be very suspicious of anyone claiming to have one to sell you.
meadows11629 Wichita, KS July 02, 2009 10:12 AM	Well I tell you that I got a few beautilful royal empress trees from http://www.royalempresstrees.com. They also do a good job at the fast growing trees.com site.
estrail1rider Blacksburg, VA July 17, 2009 06:43 PM	I have 3 because I need a tree that will grow pretty fast so I can actually see it grow bigger than 8' tall before I am gone!!!
flowers_delight Leicester, NC (Zone 8a) August 23, 2009 02:19 PM	estrail, thats what I'm talkin bout . too funny!!!

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