Butternut (White Walnut) vs Empress Tree - TreeTime.ca

Butternut (White Walnut) vs Empress Tree

Paulownia tomentosa

Juglans cinerea

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Empress Tree
Butternut (White Walnut)

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.

Butternut is one of the few walnut varieties native to Canada. The nuts are sought after for their mild, sweet, and oily taste. Ensure this tree is planted in full sun and well-drained soil for best results.

Butternut is self-fertile but it has better yields when planted near other butternuts. It can survive in zone 2, but reliably produces nuts in zone 3.

A top CO2 absorbing species. Experts think this tree may help climate change more than others.

Empress Tree Quick Facts

Butternut (White Walnut) Quick Facts

Zone: 5a
Zone: 2b
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 8 m (27 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none
Maintenance: high
Maintenance: medium


Flowers: light purple
Nuts: brown shell, edible
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: chinese empress tree, foxglove tree, princess tree, royal paulownia
Other Names: demon walnut, oilnut, white walnut