Mayday Cherry vs Empress Tree - TreeTime.ca

Mayday Cherry vs Empress Tree

Prunus padus

Paulownia tomentosa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Mayday Cherry
Empress Tree

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.

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

Zone: 3a
Zone: 5a
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: very fast
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: medium

Toxicity: seeds and leaves are toxic if ingested

Flowers: early blooming, white
Flowers: light purple
Fruit: small black berries
Berries: small black berries
Seeds: located within the berries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: common bird cherry, european bird cherry
Other Names: chinese empress tree, foxglove tree, princess tree, royal paulownia