River Birch vs Empress Tree - TreeTime.ca

River Birch vs Empress Tree

Paulownia tomentosa

Betula nigra

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Empress Tree
River Birch

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.

River Birch has beautiful, peeling, brown bark that reveals camel-colored and pink beneath. It is more borer resistant than white bark birches, which makes it a much longer-lived landscape tree.

Empress Tree Quick Facts

River Birch Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $2.99 - SAVE UP TO 75%
Zone: 5a
Zone: 3a
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 12 m (39 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes
Flowers: light purple
Bark: dark gray-brown or pinkish-brown and scaly
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: low




Other Names: chinese empress tree, foxglove tree, princess tree, royal paulownia
Other Names: black birch, water birch