Manchurian Ash vs Empress Tree - TreeTime.ca

Manchurian Ash vs Empress Tree

Paulownia tomentosa

Fraxinus mandschurica

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Empress Tree
Manchurian Ash

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.

Manchurian Ash is a medium-sized deciduous tree.

Like Black Ash, it has long, serrated green leaves, but matches White Ash in height.

This hardy tree is a great choice for a shade tree on smaller home properties. Manchurian Ash prefers moister soils, making it a great landscape tree.

Note: Unfortunately this difficult to grow species is not currently scheduled to grow at TreeTime.ca. Perhaps try purchasing seed from SeedTime.ca and growing your own? Or sign up for a restock notification above.

Empress Tree Quick Facts

Manchurian Ash Quick Facts

Zone: 5a
Zone: 3a
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 20 m (66 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 10 m (33 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: low


Fall colour: bright yellow
Flowers: light purple
Seeds: located within the samaras
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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