Empress Tree vs Discovery Japanese Elm - TreeTime.ca

Empress Tree vs Discovery Japanese Elm

Ulmus davidiana var. japonica Discovery

Paulownia tomentosa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Discovery Japanese Elm
Empress Tree

Discovery Japanese Elm is great for anyone who doesn't have a lot of time to maintain their trees as it doesn't drop many seeds. It has beautiful dark green foliage and is resistant to Dutch Elm Disease. This elm is similar in shape to the American Elm but is roughly 30% smaller. Instead of having an irregular and broad-shaped crown as other Japanese Elms do, the Discovery Japenses Elm has symmetrical branching, an upright growth form, and develops a classic vase-like crown.

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.

Discovery Japanese Elm Quick Facts

Empress Tree Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 5a
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: very fast
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium


Foliage: dark green
Flowers: light purple
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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