As you might expect from a fast tree, its growth is rather rank and lanky when young. It takes a number of years before the plant takes on an attractive form and the wood lignifies. There is a small amount of litter from flower petals and seed capsules, so it is best at the back of a yard. In some areas, volunteer seedlings will arise from the copious release of seed. All in all, an attractive tree for those who have the space to accommodate it.

My neighbor has one about 40 years old. During most of the year it blends in with the woods where it grows along the edge. When it blooms in the spring it tends to stop traffic. When the tree was planted it was along his private road and not in the public view. About 10 years ago the county road was straightened out and this beauty now is on the road right of way for all to enjoy. This tree has never received any care or summer water. Al

I am surprised to hear that your neighbor's Paulownia doesn't get any summer water and still looks good. I suspect you must have a high water table then. Definitely not a tree to place in high wind areas, as it has weak wood and large leaves that are easily wind whipped. It is also badly invasive in areas of the country with summer rainfall. It is beautiful in bloom, and there is a very large specimen next to the Asian section up at the UC Berkeley Botanic Garden, that is stunning when in bloom. The smaller growing Paulownia kawakamii may be a more manageable one for smaller gardens, as it doesn't get nearly as large.

My neighbors tree is on the north edge of a native forest. It is on the down slope of a hill and is to the south of my property the highway separating us. The water table I do believe is relatively high in the area and the tree does get some wind protection from the forest. Before the road was cut through it was protected by tall trees on all sides. Its present size is around 15 to 18 inches diameter trunk. Al

The ones I see in Davis look pretty ratty at the end of the summer, with wind tattered leaves and salt damage on the edge of leaves. These are related to Catalpas, which seem to take the valley environmental abuse a lot better. They're pretty flashy in bloom too.

Sue,
I think the leaf tip burn you see is from the boron in the water in Davis. This is different from salt damage, and is the limiting factor for alot of things that will do well in Sacramento that don't do as well in Davis.

For anyone contemplating a Paulownia tree, they do best with lots of summer water, and locating them out of regular high winds. Also, being so fast growing they are weak wooded, so not so good where dropped branches can cause damage. They also benefit from regular structural pruning to avoid narrow angle branch crotches and double leaders. At least they are not an invasive pest species in a summer dry climate, and are absolutely gorgeous when planted against a backdrop of evergreens like pines or redwoods.

Bahia,

Any different recommendations for Southern California? The backdrop for mine is a bamboo "wall", so I guess that's just dumb luck on my part. We have Santa Ana winds down here, so I'm curious how these might hold up.

just out of curiousity, are these the trees that people top off and leave the trunk in the winter? and then come spring, and new shoots form all over and create some deep shade in the summer? Alot of people have these in their front yards out here in so cal... it does bloom those pink flowers too. I used to get angry when i saw them topped off bare, but realized how fast those suckers up there grow.

am i correct?

I planted 2 of these in my back yard - I love them! They grew over 25 feet in a 2 years. Excellent shade trees in a short period of time. I am in No. CA and they grow great this this region. I highly recommend this tree to anyone who has the space in their yard. In the spring - they are absolutly beautiful with the flowers blooming.