Empress Tree vs Korean Maple

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.

The Korean Maple is an ideal accent tree, and is similar in size and shape to the Japanese Maple, but much hardier. The leaves have long, finger-like lobes that turn striking shades of yellow, orange and red in autumn.

It is recommended that pruning be done during the summer after the leaves have fully developed to ensure sap does not "bleed" down the tree.

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