How to Grow a Paulownia Tree

Paulownia, also known by the common name Princess Tree, is a fast-growing native of Asia. It has become naturalized in the southern United States. Tree farmers raise Paulownia for its rapid yield of marketable, lightweight wood that is made into toys, boxes, furniture and plywood. Grow a Paulownia tree at home as a focal point if you have a large, property. The tree's large leaves and big clusters of tubular, lavender flowers bring springtime drama to landscapes in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Mulch
• Garden hose
• Pruning shears
• Rake

Instructions

1. Identify a planting location free of buildings, fences and other obstacles in a 50-foot circumference. Ensure that there are no overhead wires, as mature Paulownia reach a height of 30- to 50-feet. Situate the tree where it will be protected from strong wind and receive full sunlight for at least half the day.

2. Dig a hole twice as deep as the young Paulownia tree's root ball, and at least twice as wide. Soak the tree with water overnight, then loosen and separate the roots. Set the tree in the hole, fanning out the roots. Shovel dirt back into the hole, tamping down each layer, until the hole is full. Spread a 2-inch layer of mulch around the tree base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

3. Water the newly planted Paulownia immediately, until the surrounding ground is soaked. Check the surrounding soil routinely during the first three growing seasons, watering whenever the top two inches of soil become dry. Thereafter, water only during extended periods of dry, hot weather.

4. Coppice and debud Paulownia trees that may eventually be cut down and used for lumber or woodworking. Coppicing means the tree is cut off at ground level when it is one to three years old. Allow a single new shoot to grow from the stump to form a straight-grained tree trunk. Prune buds off the new shoot with pruning shears to keep branches from growing out for the next three to five years.

5. Rake fallen flower clusters and leaves from under the Paulownia routinely. While Paulownia does not have known insect enemies, the debris under the tree can harbor disease that affects other plants in the surrounding areas.

References

• Univ. of FL IFAS Extension: Paulownia tomentosa: Princess-Tree
• Univ. of ID College of Natural Resources: Paulownia
• Univ. of TN Extension: Tree Crops for Marginal Farmland, Paulownia
• NC State Univ.: Paulownia tomentosa

Resources

• Vanderbilt Univ.: Paulownia tomentosa
• American Paulownia Assn., Inc.: About the Association