Empress Tree

Scientific Name: Paulownia tomentosa
Genus: Paulownia
Family: Bignoniaceae

Empress Tree Empress Tree

This is sometimes called a “foxglove tree” because of the appearance of the flowers. The heart-shaped leaves are normally 4-7 inches wide, but can grow up to 2ft. wide if the tree is pruned regularly. Empress trees are not commonly planted in urban areas because the roots grow close to the surface and the leaves and flowers produce a large volume of litter.