The Empress Tree (Paulownia) is famous for its explosive growth, stretching from its roots all the way to the top of its canopy. If you give this tree the right conditions, it’ll shoot up toward the sky before you know it. Here’s a breakdown of just how high it can go and what kind of yearly growth you should expect in your yard.
How fast does a young Empress Tree grow?
If you’ve just planted a young Empress Tree, get ready—these things take off like a rocket! A young Paulownia grows incredibly fast, both in height and width. In fact, it’s not unusual for a healthy sapling to put on up to six feet (two meters) in a single year. However, there is a catch: those tender young shoots are pretty sensitive to the cold. Sometimes, parts of the plant can suffer from frostbite during a harsh winter.
If that happens, don’t panic! You’ll just want to give your Paulownia a strategic pruning once the weather warms up. Trim back any frost-damaged branches in the spring to keep the tree healthy and prevent diseases from setting in at the damaged spots. Usually, you’ll see a fork form right where you made the cut. If you’re worried about those first two years, you can always keep your tree in a sheltered winter spot or a container until it’s a bit sturdier.
Characteristics of Empress Tree wood:
- Rapid growth rate
- Lightweight
- Surprisingly hard and durable
- Low heat conductivity
- Very easy to work with for DIY projects
Yearly growth for mature Empress Trees
Once your Paulownia has some size to it, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Older trees are much more winter-hardy and can handle freezing temperatures without breaking a sweat. As the tree matures, its growth rate settles down a bit. On average, you can expect about 15 inches (40 cm) of new growth per year, though some individual branches might still surprise you by jumping up three feet in a single season.
The best part? The Paulownia is a total “set it and forget it” plant. As long as it’s in the right spot, it’ll thrive without much fuss. If it starts getting a little too big for your space, it handles pruning like a champ. You can even go the opposite route and grow it as a bonsai if you want to keep that beautiful foliage in a miniature package!
