Empress Tree, help please!
southerngal_2006
17 years ago
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rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
17 years agosoutherngal_2006
17 years agoRelated Discussions
Giant Empress Tree
Comments (21)OK- here's my Paulownia story: Paulownia's are the devils own tree. I had two ancient Paulownia's removed from the front yard of our new house in May of '07. I had the roots ground out as deep as the largest grinder would go. The roots shoots that came up that year were horrendous- one every foot covering the entire yard. It was literally a daily chore to keep up with them- I went out every single morning spring through summer to cut them by the HUNDREDS. They were impossible to pull. They came up again equally as bad in '08. In '09 they slowed down a bit on my property but began seeking new areas as I saw them in neighbor yards- not only on the adjoining properties but across the street as well. Spring of '10- three full years since I had the trees taken out- and I was still getting shoots. THREE YEARS! By '11 I only got two or three and was FINALLY able to close the chapter on this horrendous experience. They are one tenacious tree....See MoreKilling an Empress Tree AKA Royal Paulownia or Princess
Comments (1)You don't say where you are, but perhaps the Department of Primary Industries in your state might be able to help. There is a WA article here on the dangers of suckering trees "exploding" in reaction to being lopped. I guess the trick would have been to poison the tree first, but its easy to say things in hindsight. You might be advised to call in a professional now, perhaps they can do some cutting or root barriers but otherwise I guess you will just have to keep going with the drillings and injections. I had a problem with a Robinia - and actually native tuckeroo can also be a problem, eventually you will defeat it but makes it difficult to grow other things. Here is a link that might be useful: suckering trees...See MoreReplacement Shade Trees for Empress Trees (Paulownia tomentosa)
Comments (19)Don't plant a Magnolia if you're worried about mess. Someone planted one 50 years ago next to our pool. It is absolutely beautiful and give great shade to the south side of the house, BUT it is very, very messy. The large leaves drop all year, heaviest in the spring, and they take years to decompose. In the summer the beautiful flowers drop bud sheaths and then petals. Later in fall, heavy cones drop and bring tons of squirrels who pull them apart after the seeds and leave a mess everywhere. Plus the cones are kinda spiky, painful if you accidentally step on one, plus a tripping hazard. So yes, a beautiful majestic tree...for the outer edges of a property, not near a patio. You have been warned, lol. The Africarpus gracilior is a pretty good choice, they do get huge with age, but are fast and pretty clean, and handle heat and soil compaction well. Josue Diaz's suggestion of Brachychiton populneus is a good choice too, lovely tree, too tender for where I am, but should do great for you. Stan's suggestion of a Tristaniopsis laurina is a good one too, but pretty slow growing. If you want shade soon, I'd get the largest one you can find. It will be expensive, but save you several years waiting. I love Ficus microcarpa (Indian Laurel)! Beautiful tree, gorgeous white smooth trunk! I just got back from visiting my daughter in San Luis Obispo and the downtown streets are lined with them and they're very majestic. Do be aware that they can get very large buttress roots with age, but if you give them lots of root room near the patio, but not right next to or in the patio, they should be fine....See MorePlanting a Royal Empress Tree in West Texas: Yay or Nay?
Comments (7)They are originally from Western China and that is typically an arid area unless in tis in the foothills (not on the rain shadow) to the Himalayas and then it has moisture. I know they grow wild in Zilker Park in Austin or so the Park official arborist tole me. That is wetter than you and the dirt is river bottom rich clay with a lot of humus there. From a woodworkers eye on life, I have heard that this tree expands equally across the grain as it does lengthwise. MOST wood expands due to moisture across the grain but Not lengthwise. This makes this wood a very easy wood to build with making certain fancy joinery much easier to do without cracking when there is a crossgrain disagreement. The Japanese highly regard this wood for making boxes, musical instruments and other stuff....See Morerhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
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