Basswood (American Linden) vs Empress Tree
Paulownia tomentosa
Tilia americana
NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON
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.
Basswood, also known as American Linden, provides shade and fragrant flowers with characteristically attractive leaves and branching.
It typically has a large uniformly round crown with a straight branch free trunk.
Basswood is typically found along streams and lakes or at the bottom of slopes where the ground is moist.