Dahurian Birch vs Empress Tree - TreeTime.ca

Dahurian Birch vs Empress Tree

Paulownia tomentosa

Betula davurica

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

CUSTOM GROW

Empress Tree
Dahurian 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.

Dahurian Birch is a rare and interesting ornamental with curling bark. This tree is the first to sprout on bare land and is tolerant of dry, gravelly, and infertile soils. Dahurian Birch can grow in industrial areas or exposed land as long as it has full sunlight.

This tree is ideal for landscaping, ornamental, and ecosystem services.

This tree is not well known, but is a favorite of nursery owners across the country.

Empress Tree Quick Facts

Dahurian Birch Quick Facts

Zone: 5a
Zone: 4a
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 14 m (45 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 7 m (22 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: low
Maintenance: high
Maintenance: medium


Bark: showy grey brown bark that exfoliates as it ages
Flowers: light purple
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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