Korean Pine vs Empress Tree - TreeTime.ca

Korean Pine vs Empress Tree

Pinus koraiensis

Paulownia tomentosa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Korean Pine
Empress Tree

Korean Pine is an attractive conifer suitable for shelterbelts, privacy screens, and ornamental planting. This tree is especially prized for its pine nuts. Korean Pine nuts are larger than most other species. They can be used in salads, pesto sauce, and other foods.

This conifer is generally tolerant of urban conditions but much prefers cool summer climates.

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.

Korean Pine Quick Facts

Empress Tree Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 5a
Height: 18 m (60 ft)
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: very fast
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium
Maintenance: high


Foliage: long blue-green needles
Flowers: light purple
Nuts: large edible seeds
Cones: attractive edible pine nuts
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: chinese pinenut
Other Names: chinese empress tree, foxglove tree, princess tree, royal paulownia