Trees diurnal

princess tree

Paulownia tomentosa

Boasting massive heart-shaped leaves and stunning clusters of fragrant lavender blooms, the princess tree is a fast-growing marvel of the botanical world. While its beauty is undeniable, its ability to thrive in almost any environment makes it a fascinating, if formidable, backyard inhabitant.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Height: 10–25 meters (33–82 feet); Canopy spread: 10–15 meters (33–50 feet)

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Colors

Pale violet to lavender flowers with yellow interior stripes; bright green velvety leaves; grey-brown bark

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Key Features

Large, upright clusters of bell-shaped purple flowers
Massive heart-shaped leaves up to 15 inches wide
Egg-shaped woody seed pods that turn brown and split open
Hollow or chambered pith in the center of young twigs

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 6 AM - 8 PM (Photosynthetic activity)

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Season April-May (flowering); June-September (foliage)

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Diet As a plant, it produces its own food through photosynthesis using sunlight, water, and atmospheric carbon dioxide.

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Habitat Commonly found in disturbed urban areas, roadsides, forest edges, and rocky cliffs.

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Behavior

The princess tree is one of the fastest-growing hardwood trees in the world, capable of growing over 10 feet in a single season when young. It functions as a pioneer species, meaning it is often the first to colonize land that has been cleared or disturbed by human activity or natural disasters. Its reproductive strategy is aggressive; a single mature tree can produce up to 20 million tiny, winged seeds that are easily carried long distances by wind and water.

While admired for its aesthetic beauty and the shade provided by its enormous leaves, it is considered a highly invasive species in many parts of North America and Europe. Its deep taproots and ability to sprout from stumps make it incredibly difficult to eradicate once established. In a backyard setting, it behaves as a 'space-taker,' often outcompeting native shrubs and trees for sunlight and soil nutrients.

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Camera Tips

To capture the spectacular spring bloom of the princess tree, position your camera at a slight upward angle facing the south-facing side of the canopy. The lavender, foxglove-like flowers appear in mid-spring before the leaves emerge, creating a clean silhouette against the blue sky. Because these flowers are rich in nectar, they attract a variety of pollinators. Set your camera to a fast shutter speed or burst mode to capture the rapid movements of hummingbirds and carpenter bees that frequently visit the blooms.

If you are documenting a young sapling, utilize a time-lapse setting. Because this species grows with such prehistoric speed, you can see significant changes in leaf size and height in as little as 48 to 72 hours during the peak of summer. Mount the camera on a separate stake several feet away from the tree to account for its rapid expansion; the massive leaves can quickly grow to cover the lens if the camera is placed too close.

During the autumn and winter months, focus your lens on the unique seed pods. These woody, egg-shaped structures persist on the branches long after the leaves have fallen. They provide excellent visual interest for winter photography and are often visited by small birds looking for seeds or insects hiding in the crevices. Using a macro lens or a close-up setting on your trail camera can reveal the fuzzy, suede-like texture of the next year's flower buds, which are formed in the fall.

For the best lighting, avoid the harsh midday sun, which can cause the large leaves to create deep, dark shadows that obscure detail. Instead, aim for the 'golden hour'—the hour after sunrise or before sunset. The low-angle light brings out the velvety texture of the foliage and the intricate patterns in the grey-brown bark. If your camera has adjustable exposure settings, underexpose slightly to preserve the delicate lavender hues of the flowers, which can easily look 'washed out' in bright light.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with princess tree.

Northern Catalpa

Catalpa has white flowers with internal spotting and long, bean-like seed pods, unlike the purple flowers and egg-shaped pods of the princess tree.

Southern Catalpa

Very similar to the Northern variety but smaller; its leaves emit a pungent odor when crushed, which the princess tree does not.

Velvetleaf

This is a smaller herbaceous plant, not a tree, though its large, soft, heart-shaped leaves can resemble a young princess tree sapling.

Frequently Asked Questions

The flowers are most active in terms of nectar production during the daylight hours, particularly from mid-morning to late afternoon, attracting the most pollinators during these times.

The tree naturally attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies during its flowering stage in early spring. In winter, the persistent seed pods may attract small foraging birds looking for shelter or residual seeds.

Like all plants, they don't 'eat' in the traditional sense; they require full sun and well-drained soil to perform photosynthesis. They are particularly efficient at absorbing nitrogen from the soil to fuel their rapid growth.

Yes, they are very common in suburban areas, often appearing spontaneously in garden borders, near foundations, or along fence lines where seeds have been blown by the wind.

While both have large heart-shaped leaves, the princess tree has fuzzy, velvet-like leaf surfaces and purple flowers, whereas the Catalpa has smoother leaves and white flowers with yellow and purple spots.

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