Schubert Chokecherry vs Empress Tree - TreeTime.ca

Schubert Chokecherry vs Empress Tree

Prunus virginiana Schubert

Paulownia tomentosa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Schubert Chokecherry
Empress Tree

Schubert Chokecherry is similar to a western chokecherry but features beautiful purple-red leaves throughout the summer.

This small, flowering tree is perfectly suited as an ornamental for city yards.

The fruit from this tree is a staff favourite for jams, jellies, and wines.

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.

Schubert Chokecherry Quick Facts

Empress Tree Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 5a
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: very fast
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium
Maintenance: high

Toxicity: Toxic to animals with segmented stomachs (horses, cattle, deer moose, etc.)

Fall colour: dark red
Flowers: white
Flowers: light purple
Fruit: edible dark red berries, 10mm diameter, pitted, tart, good
Berries: edible dark red berries, 10mm diameter, pitted, tart, good
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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