Canada Plum & American Plum vs Empress Tree - TreeTime.ca

Canada Plum & American Plum vs Empress Tree

Prunus nigra and americana

Paulownia tomentosa

Canada Plum & American Plum
Empress Tree

Canada and American Plum are almost identical in appearance and growth needs. These plants are short and stout fruit trees native to North America.

This hardy ornamental is excellent for both city dwellings as well as rural areas. During the spring, the white and pink blossoms are long lasting. The tasty fruit is suitable for fresh eating, baking, and preserves. These trees are not widely distributed and pure seed can be hard to come by.

Both are commonly used as rootstock and are considered universal pollinizers for other plum varieties.

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.

Canada Plum & American Plum Quick Facts

Empress Tree Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $16.99
Lowest Price: $5.49 - SAVE UP TO 54%
Zone: 2b
Zone: 5a
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: attractive yellow, gold
Flowers: white
Flowers: light purple
Bark: grey and scaly with age
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: very fast
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: medium




Other Names: american plum, black plum, canada plum, horse plum, wild plum
Other Names: chinese empress tree, foxglove tree, princess tree, royal paulownia