Empress Tree vs Treasured Red Columnar Apple - TreeTime.ca

Empress Tree vs Treasured Red Columnar Apple

Paulownia tomentosa

Malus x Treasured Red Columnar

Empress Tree
Treasured Red Columnar Apple

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.

Treasured Red Columnar Apple is a cold-hardy columnar variety developed by the University of Saskatchewan. The bright cherry red fruit ripens in early fall, and has a texture and flavour similar to a McIntosh apples. It stores well and is well-suited for fresh eating, baking, and preserves.

Unlike traditional apple trees that bear fruit on horizontal branches, the Treasured Red produces apples on short spurs that grow along its main trunk. This unique growth habit gives the tree its narrow, compact form, making it a perfect fit for urban yards and small spaces. The columnar growth and spring blooms also give it ornamental appeal.

For fruit production, cross-pollination is required. Apples need to be planted with another Apple or Crab Apple variety.

Note: We do not ship grafted apples to BC due to regulatory restrictions from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Empress Tree Quick Facts

Treasured Red Columnar Apple Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $7.99 - SAVE UP TO 53%
Lowest Price: $39.99 - SAVE UP TO 27%
Zone: 5a
Zone: 2a
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none
Maintenance: high
Maintenance: medium


Flowers: light purple
Fruit: bright red with waxy bloom
Flavor: Similar to McIntosh
Harvest: mid September
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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