Name that tree - Paulownia
 

Every year when it blooms there is a flood of inquiries about this weed
tree.

Princess Tree (Paulownia tomentosa)

Its an escape from China.


"Bill Oliver" wrote in message
...

My wife and I were driving from North Carolina to Georgia recently. As
we passed through the NC mountains, we noticed that the back roads were
lined
by trees that had large light purple/lavender blooms that looked kind of
like wisteria. We were not aware of wisteria *trees* in that part of the
country. We love the dogwoods by the roads where we live, but were
entranced by these trees. Could anybody from that part of the country
tell us what is blooming up there?


billo

Name that tree - Paulownia
 

In article ,
Cereus-validus wrote:
Every year when it blooms there is a flood of inquiries about this weed
tree.

Princess Tree (Paulownia tomentosa)

Its an escape from China.


That's it. Thanks. A quick Google on it comes up with repeated
statements that it is not an appropriate tree for landscaping,
but the sites weren't clear on why. It sure is pretty when
it blooms, and I don't have a problem with big leaves. What's
the down side?

billo

Name that tree - Paulownia
 

The down side is that the large seed pods are full of a multitude of minute
winged seeds that get carried by the wind and plantlets will pop up
everywhere in the garden and elsewhere they were not invited. Being a weed
is bad enough but a weedy tree that overpowers native shrubs and trees is a
far worse threat. Only the so-called "Tree of Heaven" has been more
destructive.


"Bill Oliver" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Cereus-validus wrote:
Every year when it blooms there is a flood of inquiries about this weed
tree.

Princess Tree (Paulownia tomentosa)

Its an escape from China.


That's it. Thanks. A quick Google on it comes up with repeated
statements that it is not an appropriate tree for landscaping,
but the sites weren't clear on why. It sure is pretty when
it blooms, and I don't have a problem with big leaves. What's
the down side?

billo

Name that tree - Paulownia
 

Hi Bill,

Note the tree's habit-- incredibly open and rangy. Looks terrible in winter.
It can also, under the right growing conditions, reach an alarming height
quickly. Basically, it looks good for about 3 weeks out of 52.

Dave

"Bill Oliver" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Cereus-validus wrote:
Every year when it blooms there is a flood of inquiries about this weed
tree.

Princess Tree (Paulownia tomentosa)

Its an escape from China.


That's it. Thanks. A quick Google on it comes up with repeated
statements that it is not an appropriate tree for landscaping,
but the sites weren't clear on why. It sure is pretty when
it blooms, and I don't have a problem with big leaves. What's
the down side?

billo

Name that tree - Paulownia
 

The Princess tree is invasive, invasive, invasive. I recently heard that each
of the little capsules (and each flower head probably has 50+ capsules when it
goes to seed) has more than 2,000 seeds in it.

If it gets started on your property, it's hard to kill since just the seedlings
are difficult to pull out, they sprout right back if you cut them down, etc.

I don't remember if you said where you were located but you might want to
consider crepe myrtles. They are quite showy in bloom and in time, the trunk
and branches have lots of winter interest.

Name that tree - Paulownia
 

I know I've said this before, but I have a Paulownia kavakamii and it does not
overbear with seeds and plants. P.tomentosa, now that is certainly noxious.

On Fri, 07 May 2004 01:44:17 GMT, "Cereus-validus"
opined:

The down side is that the large seed pods are full of a multitude of minute
winged seeds that get carried by the wind and plantlets will pop up
everywhere in the garden and elsewhere they were not invited. Being a weed
is bad enough but a weedy tree that overpowers native shrubs and trees is a
far worse threat. Only the so-called "Tree of Heaven" has been more
destructive.


"Bill Oliver" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Cereus-validus wrote:
Every year when it blooms there is a flood of inquiries about this weed
tree.

Princess Tree (Paulownia tomentosa)

Its an escape from China.


That's it. Thanks. A quick Google on it comes up with repeated
statements that it is not an appropriate tree for landscaping,
but the sites weren't clear on why. It sure is pretty when
it blooms, and I don't have a problem with big leaves. What's
the down side?

billo

Name that tree - Paulownia
 

In article ,
Marcy Hege wrote:
The Princess tree is invasive, invasive, invasive. I recently heard that each
of the little capsules (and each flower head probably has 50+ capsules when it
goes to seed) has more than 2,000 seeds in it.

If it gets started on your property, it's hard to kill since just the seedlings
are difficult to pull out, they sprout right back if you cut them down, etc.

I don't remember if you said where you were located but you might want to
consider crepe myrtles. They are quite showy in bloom and in time, the trunk
and branches have lots of winter interest.

Yes, crepe myrtles are popular here. I plan to have a few!

billo

Name that tree - Paulownia
 

Yes you have said that.

However, Paulownia tomentosa is the weedy species running rampant over the
countryside and that is where he saw it, not planted in someone's garden.


"escapee" wrote in message
...
I know I've said this before, but I have a Paulownia kavakamii and it
does not
overbear with seeds and plants. P.tomentosa, now that is certainly
noxious.

On Fri, 07 May 2004 01:44:17 GMT, "Cereus-validus"

opined:

The down side is that the large seed pods are full of a multitude of
minute
winged seeds that get carried by the wind and plantlets will pop up
everywhere in the garden and elsewhere they were not invited. Being a
weed
is bad enough but a weedy tree that overpowers native shrubs and trees is
a
far worse threat. Only the so-called "Tree of Heaven" has been more
destructive.


"Bill Oliver" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Cereus-validus wrote:
Every year when it blooms there is a flood of inquiries about this
weed
tree.

Princess Tree (Paulownia tomentosa)

Its an escape from China.


That's it. Thanks. A quick Google on it comes up with repeated
statements that it is not an appropriate tree for landscaping,
but the sites weren't clear on why. It sure is pretty when
it blooms, and I don't have a problem with big leaves. What's
the down side?

billo

Name that tree - Paulownia
 

escapee in
:

I know I've said this before, but I have a Paulownia kavakamii and
it does not
overbear with seeds and plants. P.tomentosa, now that is certainly
noxious.


fwiw
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&l...UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
&q=Paulownia+kawakamii+%7C+fortunei+%7C+taiwaniana +%7C+elongata+hybrid+

Name that tree - Paulownia
 

Your link is too long, Farkleberrybush.

Why not make you point in words?


" wrote in message
...
escapee in
:

I know I've said this before, but I have a Paulownia kavakamii and
it does not
overbear with seeds and plants. P.tomentosa, now that is certainly
noxious.


fwiw
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&l...UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
&q=Paulownia+kawakamii+%7C+fortunei+%7C+taiwaniana +%7C+elongata+hybrid+

Name that tree - Paulownia
 

Hey, I saw a garden center selling purple loosetrife and when I pointed it out,
the manager argued with me that it "wasn't the one which is the noxious weed."
I said, "yes it is." She walked away. She is also selling Nandina domestica
and wax leaf ligustrum and Chinese tallow. I may give misinformation here now
and then, I know I'm not perfect, but these garden centers suck. I reported her
only because she would not even consider for a moment that I knew what I was
talking about.

On Fri, 07 May 2004 20:34:48 GMT, "Cereus-validus"
opined:

Yes you have said that.

However, Paulownia tomentosa is the weedy species running rampant over the
countryside and that is where he saw it, not planted in someone's garden.


"escapee" wrote in message
.. .
I know I've said this before, but I have a Paulownia kavakamii and it
does not
overbear with seeds and plants. P.tomentosa, now that is certainly
noxious.

On Fri, 07 May 2004 01:44:17 GMT, "Cereus-validus"

opined:

The down side is that the large seed pods are full of a multitude of
minute
winged seeds that get carried by the wind and plantlets will pop up
everywhere in the garden and elsewhere they were not invited. Being a
weed
is bad enough but a weedy tree that overpowers native shrubs and trees is
a
far worse threat. Only the so-called "Tree of Heaven" has been more
destructive.


"Bill Oliver" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Cereus-validus wrote:
Every year when it blooms there is a flood of inquiries about this
weed
tree.

Princess Tree (Paulownia tomentosa)

Its an escape from China.


That's it. Thanks. A quick Google on it comes up with repeated
statements that it is not an appropriate tree for landscaping,
but the sites weren't clear on why. It sure is pretty when
it blooms, and I don't have a problem with big leaves. What's
the down side?

billo

Name that tree - Paulownia
 

Yes, I made the mistake of planting purple loosestrife a couple of years
ago. It's a serious workout trying to pull it out in the spring.....

"escapee" wrote in message
...
Hey, I saw a garden center selling purple loosetrife and when I pointed it
out,
the manager argued with me that it "wasn't the one which is the noxious
weed."
I said, "yes it is." She walked away. She is also selling Nandina
domestica
and wax leaf ligustrum and Chinese tallow. I may give misinformation here
now
and then, I know I'm not perfect, but these garden centers suck. I reported
her
only because she would not even consider for a moment that I knew what I was
talking about.

On Fri, 07 May 2004 20:34:48 GMT, "Cereus-validus"

opined:

Yes you have said that.

However, Paulownia tomentosa is the weedy species running rampant over the
countryside and that is where he saw it, not planted in someone's garden.


"escapee" wrote in message
.. .
I know I've said this before, but I have a Paulownia kavakamii and it
does not
overbear with seeds and plants. P.tomentosa, now that is certainly
noxious.

On Fri, 07 May 2004 01:44:17 GMT, "Cereus-validus"

opined:

The down side is that the large seed pods are full of a multitude of
minute
winged seeds that get carried by the wind and plantlets will pop up
everywhere in the garden and elsewhere they were not invited. Being a
weed
is bad enough but a weedy tree that overpowers native shrubs and trees
is
a
far worse threat. Only the so-called "Tree of Heaven" has been more
destructive.


"Bill Oliver" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Cereus-validus wrote:
Every year when it blooms there is a flood of inquiries about this
weed
tree.

Princess Tree (Paulownia tomentosa)

Its an escape from China.


That's it. Thanks. A quick Google on it comes up with repeated
statements that it is not an appropriate tree for landscaping,
but the sites weren't clear on why. It sure is pretty when
it blooms, and I don't have a problem with big leaves. What's
the down side?

billo