Princesstree (Paulownia tomentosa)

How much light does a Princesstree need?

Princesstree prefers full sun, which means 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day. It also accepts partial sun or partial shade. Full sun is the preferred condition on record, and part shade is listed as an acceptable one. The tree reaches 40 to 50 ft (12.19–15.24 m) tall and as wide.

• Light: Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)^1,2

How often to water a Princesstree

The listed moisture range for princesstree runs from dry to wet. The tree tolerates a range of soils but prefers moist, deep, sandy loam. That preferred soil is also described as well drained. No watering schedule in days is documented for this tree. Moist and well-drained soil both appear in its drainage record.

• Water: Dry to wet¹

Best soil for a Princesstree

The soil drainage record lists three conditions: well drained, moist and occasionally wet. Its preferred soil is described as a deep, sandy loam that drains well. No cited source records a soil pH range, so that value is not documented here. The moisture range for the tree runs from dry to wet. Occasionally wet soil is one of the listed drainage conditions.

• Soil drainage: Well drained, moist and occasionally wet²

Hardiness and temperature

Princesstree is listed for USDA hardiness zones 5a through 9b. The record covers 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a and 9b. No cited source records a minimum temperature, so a cold limit in degrees is not documented here. Humidity needs are not documented either. Use the zone range as your guide to whether the tree suits your climate.

• Hardiness: Zones 5a–9b¹

How to plant a Princesstree

Zones 5a to 9b are the range listed for planting princesstree. Leave room for a mature size of 40 to 50 ft (12.19–15.24 m) in both height and spread. Choose a site with full sun, or part shade if needed. The soil it prefers is moist, deep and well drained. Its growth is described as rapid.

• Hardiness: Zones 5a–9b¹

Winter care

Princesstree is deciduous. It is listed for zones 5a through 9b. No cited source records a minimum temperature or any winter protection, so those details are not documented. Rapid growth and flowers that bloom before the leaves emerge are recorded for the tree. Winter care steps such as mulching or wrapping are not documented.

• Hardiness: Zones 5a–9b¹

How to propagate a Princesstree

Seed is the propagation method on record for princesstree. No other method, such as cuttings, is documented here. No cited source gives seed treatment, timing or germination details, so those are not documented. In the lower 48 US states its native status is recorded as introduced.

• Propagation: Seed¹

Common problems

Recorded pests for princesstree include Apriona germari, Apriona swainsoni, Chloridea virescens, Euwallacea fornicatus, Halyomorpha halys and Lopholeucaspis japonica. Others on the list are Lycorma delicatula, Neocerambyx raddei, Oemona hirta, Orgyia leucostigma, Pochazia shantungensis and Pseudaulacaspis pentagona. Recorded diseases are Phymatotrichopsis omnivora, Phytophthora citrophthora, Phytophthora erythroseptica and Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae. No symptoms or controls are documented for any of these.

• Common pests: apriona germari, apriona swainsoni, chloridea virescens, euwallacea fornicatus, halyomorpha halys, lopholeucaspis japonica, lycorma delicatula, neocerambyx raddei, oemona hirta, orgyia leucostigma, pochazia shantungensis and pseudaulacaspis pentagona³
• Common diseases: phymatotrichopsis omnivora, phytophthora citrophthora, phytophthora erythroseptica and pseudomonas syringae pv actinidiae³

Questions and answers

How much sun does princesstree need?

Princesstree prefers full sun, meaning 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day. It also accepts partial sun or partial shade. Full sun is the preferred condition on record.

How big does princesstree get?

It reaches 40 to 50 ft (12.19–15.24 m) tall. Its spread is also 40 to 50 ft (12.19–15.24 m). It is a deciduous tree, and its growth is described as rapid.

Is princesstree native to the United States?

In the lower 48 states its status is recorded as introduced. Its native range record lists CHC, CHM, CHN, CHS and KOR. No other detail about its range is documented here.