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Mayday Cherry vs Empress Tree
Prunus padus
Paulownia tomentosa
NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON
Mayday Cherry is a small deciduous tree known for its early blooming and fragrant white flowers.
A favourite specimen tree on prairie homesteads, Mayday Cherry produces small black berries that are inedible to people but highly desirable to birds.
Note: This species is currently unavailable. Grow your own using Mayday Cherry seeds at SeedTime.ca.
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.
Mayday Cherry Quick Facts
Empress Tree Quick Facts
Toxicity: seeds and leaves are toxic if ingested