Common Snowberry vs Empress Tree - TreeTime.ca

Common Snowberry vs Empress Tree

Paulownia tomentosa

Symphoricarpos albus

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Empress Tree
Common Snowberry

The Empress Tree is a fast growing, ornamental shade tree. It has purple, fragrant flowers that are quite attractive. The flowers emerge before the leaves in early spring. The leaves of this tree can grow very large, up to 30 cm long.

As one of the fastest growing trees in the world, this tree has been given considerable attention for carbon sequestration projects. It drops many seeds which can make it invasive in warmer climates. Please do some research and plant the right tree in the right place.

The Empress tree’s genus name comes from Princess Paulowna, daughter of Tsar Paul I of Russia.

Common Snowberry is a small deciduous shrub with characteristic white to pink flowers and clusters of white fruit.

This North American native species is very adaptable, and can be used for erosion control in riparian and restoration areas. Snowberry's fruit attracts wildlife, and livestock can consume the berries without issue.

Empress Tree Quick Facts

Common Snowberry Quick Facts

Zone: 5a
Zone: 1a
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none


Toxicity: berries toxic to humans
Bark: red-brown shredded bark
Flowers: light purple
Flowers: pink to white flowers in spring
Berries: white waxy berries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: chinese empress tree, foxglove tree, princess tree, royal paulownia
Other Names: common snowberry