# Empress Tree (*Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Steud.*) The Empress Tree is known for its large, purple flowers and can grow really tall! It’s like a giant umbrella in the garden. - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 19 - **Habitat:** Gardens and open spaces ![Empress Tree](https://media.snappit.app/site-media-v1/697dba9b312c1461f30bb3a490d3421d37f0768093ec8e6a2dbe4227d8e6d1d3/image-560x560/w-560.webp) ## Appearance The Empress Tree has very large, fuzzy, heart-shaped leaves and showy clusters of fragrant, trumpet-shaped purple flowers in spring. Its bark is gray-brown and often develops shallow fissures as it matures. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Lamiales - **Family:** Paulowniaceae - **Genus:** Paulownia ## Interesting facts - Its gigantic leaves can grow larger than a dinner plate, providing lots of shade! - Its scientific name honors Anna Pavlovna, a Dutch Queen and daughter of a Russian Tsar! - Some cultures in Asia traditionally plant an Empress Tree when a baby girl is born. - The wood of the Empress Tree is lighter than balsa wood but surprisingly strong! ## Special abilities - **Rapid Riser:** Empress Tree can grow incredibly fast, shooting up several meters each year to quickly reach sunlight. - **Root Anchor:** Empress Tree has a strong, deep root system that helps it stabilize soil and access water even in dry conditions. - **Seed Spreader:** Empress Tree can produce millions of tiny winged seeds, allowing it to spread easily and colonize new areas. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 10-25 m - **Spread:** 8-15 m - **Edible:** No - **Size:** 30-60 cm - **Lifespan:** 50-70 years - **Fruit Type:** Woody capsule - **Growth Rate:** Fast - **Leaf Type:** Deciduous ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen from its purple flowers. - **Eaten by:** [White-tailed deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Browses on young leaves and shoots. - **Shelter:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Builds nests among its large leaves. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Empress Tree? Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Empress Tree? 10-25 m ### How wide does Empress Tree spread? 8-15 m ### Is Empress Tree edible? No ### How big is Empress Tree? 30-60 cm ### How long does Empress Tree live? 50-70 years ### Where is Empress Tree usually found? Gardens and open spaces ### What kind of fruit does Empress Tree produce? Woody capsule ## Where to spot - [Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arrowmont-school-of-arts-and-crafts) — Tennessee, US · Campus - [Awbury Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/awbury-arboretum) — Pennsylvania, US · Botanical Garden - [Bellefontaine Cemetery](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bellefontaine-cemetery) — Missouri, US · Botanical Garden - [Bloomingdale](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bloomingdale) — District of Columbia, US · Neighborhood - [Canal Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/canal-park) — District of Columbia, US · Park - [Four Corners](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/four-corners) — New Jersey, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Empress Tree](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/empress-tree) ## More Trees - [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) - [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*) - [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) - [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) --- Source: [Empress Tree: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/empress-tree)