Empress Tree Seeds (Paulownia elongata)
Empress Tree Seeds (Paulownia elongata)
One of the world’s fastest. Built to astonish.
Paulownia elongata, the Empress Tree, is one of the fastest-growing hardwood trees on the planet, capable of putting on 8 to 15 feet of growth in a single season under ideal conditions. With its massive tropical-looking leaves, fragrant violet flower clusters, and strong drought tolerance once established, it delivers immediate visual impact. Whether you are planting for quick shade, timber, wildlife habitat, or something unforgettable, this tree performs.
- One of the fastest-growing hardwoods in the world
- Massive leaves up to 2 feet wide create deep, cooling shade
- Fragrant violet flower clusters bloom in early spring before leaf-out
- Excellent for timber production, erosion control, and rapid canopy establishment
- Tolerates poor soils and drought once established
Things You Probably Didn’t Know
It has its own cultural tradition.
In Japan, Paulownia trees have been planted to mark the birth of daughters for centuries. When she married, the tree was harvested to craft furniture for her new home.
It comes back stronger after cutting.
When cut to the ground, the tree resprouts vigorously from its roots. This coppicing ability allows for repeated harvest cycles and rapid regrowth.
It’s studied for carbon capture.
Paulownia is known for exceptionally fast biomass production, making it a frequent subject in research on carbon sequestration and reforestation systems.
It blooms before the leaves appear.
Each spring, clusters of fragrant violet flowers cover bare branches, creating a dramatic display you will smell before you see.
Growing Details
- Botanical Name: Paulownia elongata
- Stratification: Not required
- USDA Zones: 5–10
- Soil: Adaptable; tolerates poor, rocky, or compacted soils
- Light: Full sun
- Height: 40–60 feet
- Spread: 30–40 feet
- Growth Rate: Very fast (8–15 ft/year under ideal conditions)
Plant it for shade in seasons, not decades. A tree that earns its place immediately and keeps growing long after you stop watching.
FAQ
FAQ
Do you pre-stratify the seeds?
Most of our seeds are not pre-stratified. We ship them unstratified so you can control germination timing based on your local growing season. We sell to all 50 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and since each region has different planting windows, pre-stratifying would risk seeds germinating in transit or before you're ready to plant.
True stratification requires cold, moist conditions, which can lead to premature sprouting or mold if not timed properly. To avoid this, we store most seeds in dry cold conditions to preserve viability — but this does not initiate stratification.
Do any of your seeds need to stay moist? (Recalcitrant seeds)
Yes — some species we offer are recalcitrant, meaning they must remain moist to stay viable and cannot be dried out. Examples include: Chestnut, Hazelnut, Paw Paw, etc.
These seeds are shipped in moist cold storage and are clearly labeled on the product page when applicable. Please refrigerate immediately upon arrival and follow included care instructions.
Do you ship internationally?
We currently ship to the United States and Canada only. Unfortunately, we cannot ship to other countries without a phytosanitary certificate, which is required by most international customs agencies.
If you're interested in shipping outside North America, please contact us. Note that a phytosanitary certificate typically adds $60–$80 USD per seed type and must be arranged in advance.
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & Packaging
Hand-packed in resealable zipper kraft paper seed bags
Stratification and planting instructions included with every order
1 free bonus seed pack included with every order
Ships within 3–5 business days via USPS
Return Policy
Return Policy
Due to the nature of our products, we do not accept returns on seeds.
However, if your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us within 7 days and we’ll make it right.
