The royal paulownia or empress tree is a fast-growing shade tree. (Howard Garrett / Special Contributor) One of the trees that brings me questions every year is one that has some extremely ...

It is one tree I say get rid of now, even if that requires a permit for removal in your area. Once gone, it’s a good idea to plant a better adapted, preferably native tree to take its place.

Areader from the San Luis Obispo area sent me a colorful advertisement that proclaimed, "The Royal Empress Zooms To A Flowering, Scented, Shade Tree In Just One Season!!!" and asked whether the ...

A. Those lovely flowers belong to the Royal Paulownia tree, sometimes called princess tree or empress tree. Known botanically as Paulownia tomentosa, this species is native to China but the large, ...