Black Locust vs Empress Tree - TreeTime.ca

Black Locust vs Empress Tree

Paulownia tomentosa

Robinia pseudoacacia

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Empress Tree
Black Locust

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.

Black Locust is an attractive tree. Its distinctive leaves are made of about a dozen bright green leaflets. It also notable for its fragrant white flowers, which smell of citrus.

Black Locust can grow in many situations, but prefers dry areas with lots of sun. It is robust and is an excellent choice for establishing shade in dry, open areas.

Important note: Much of the Black Locust is toxic to humans and livestock, including seeds, bark, and leaves.

Empress Tree Quick Facts

Black Locust Quick Facts

Zone: 5a
Zone: 3a
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: medium
Suckering: high


Bark: dark reddish brown to balck with furrows
Flowers: light purple
Flowers: Creamy white flowers in a pyramidal shape bloom in may-june
Seeds: dark brown peapod-like pods
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: chinese empress tree, foxglove tree, princess tree, royal paulownia
Other Names: false acacia, yellow locust