Did you recognize the seed capsules from last week’s puzzler as Paulownia tomentosa, also known as, Empress Tree, Princess Tree, Royal Empress Tree, Royal Paulownia? Native to Eastern Asia, this is a fast-growing deciduous tree that is HIGHLY INVASIVE. According to the NC Extension site, “This shade tree grows rapidly adding 15 feet each year to reach a mature height of 50 feet and width of 30 feet in just 10 years. It is considered one of the fastest growing trees in the world.”
According to Gardening Know How, “the tree’s fruit is a four-compartment capsule containing thousands of tiny winged seeds.
A mature tree produces some 20 million seeds every year.”
Maybe read that again. 20 MILLION seeds each year!!
Is it beautiful? Sure. Do people sell the seeds? Sure. Does that mean you should plant it or welcome it in your yard? If you care at all about nature, the answer is definitely not, as this tree readily escapes cultivation to go on and take over areas everywhere, easily displacing native trees. It is an absolute nuisance, so please don’t welcome it in your yard!