Empress Tree vs Bitternut Hickory - TreeTime.ca

Empress Tree vs Bitternut Hickory

Carya cordiformis

Paulownia tomentosa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Bitternut Hickory
Empress Tree

Bitternut Hickory is a large deciduous tree that makes a great shade tree for yards and parks. This tree is native to Eastern North America. Although it produces nuts, they are bitter and inedible. Some consider this wood to be the best flavour for smoking meats.

Plant Bitternut Hickory in it’s forever home. It is difficult to transplant due to its long taproot, and may not survive.

The wood is strong and has historically been used for wheels, ladders, and furniture.

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.

Bitternut Hickory Quick Facts

Empress Tree Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $7.99 - SAVE UP TO 53%
Zone: 4a
Zone: 5a
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 13 m (42 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Light: any
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: very fast
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: medium


Bark: ridged, durable
Flowers: light purple
Nuts: bitter
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Native to: ON, QC
Other Names: swamp hickory
Other Names: chinese empress tree, foxglove tree, princess tree, royal paulownia