Today I went at the Dallas Arboretum for the "Dallas in Bloom Festival" and it was stunning.
I found this magnificent tree in bloom: Empress Tree-Paulownia Tomentosa.
The flowers were amazing.
I found the tree in the plant files and just a few people in TX did post a comment.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/391/
I'd like to find out if you personally are growing this tree and what is your experience.
The Empress Tree is very pretty but a very invasive species and should not be planted in Texas.
It is listed on the Texas invasives site
http://www.texasinvasives.org/plant_database/detail.php?symbol=PATO2
frostweed
thanks for your comment. I did already read what you posted on the plant file.
Did you grow this tree before?
or do you know somebody that has it?
There is a fellow about three miles down the road from us who has any number of these trees. I agree, they are beautiful in spring. But I can see just by driving by there are sprouts all over this yard and he just mowes them down. I'm waiting to see if his adjacent neighbors start having the same problems. They don't seem to mow much, so it shouldn't take long....
Thank you .
Terry-emory please report back.
I was thinking to plant this tree in the middle of the grass ... away from flower beds ... so if there are any seedlings they will just cut down by the mower.
I always get in trouble when I attend the Dallas in Bloom .... I just want my garden to be like the Arboretum.
Being cooler this year, lots of tulips were still blooming and also the Cherry trees. Enjoy !
No I haven't grown it, but I do know that even though it is beautiful it is not good news.
The biggest problem is when they start growing in the wild and they out compete the native species, because they have no local enemies to control them, just like privet has done.
In the same list of invasive species is listed a "Chinese Pistachio" tree.
I actually have 6 of them in by back garden and they are great trees. They grew really good and they are protecting my back wall.
Under them there is just grass and I have no problem with them ...
... I guess I will wait and see if any other DG members would share their "own" experience with this tree.
I will say just one more thing, and I am not trying to be argumentative. Please remember that the main problem with invasive plants is not what happens in your yard, the problem is what happens when they escape into the wild.
Thanks. I agree.
I was trying to make that gentle point LOL!
When we first saw these trees, like you drthor, DH wanted some. So we did the research and also asked here on Dave's. It seems that birds and wind will carry the fertilized seeds and seed capsules for miles. While this particular fellow's neighbors may not care (remember where I live), I do. I don't want these in my pastures and then in my yard. As we did our research, one article I read described them as a botanical pandora's box. They grow super fast up to 25 ft., crowd out other smaller trees, and regenerate from the root--although they will not grow in shade of other trees. So if you really want to remove this tree you have to dig up all the roots. Or, I should say, if my neighbor really wants to remove these trees he has to dig them up by the roots. Keep in mind where I live--all my neighbors have the big 64" industrial mowers or brush hogs. Yes, many out here mow their yards with brush hogs. So they don't have any problems wacking down saplings. But I just put in some very good fencing. I really don't want these growing up on my fenceline (where the birds will deposite them) and destroying my investment.
I guess I just don't want to make lanscaping decisions for my neighbors, either. So despite the lovely spring show, we decided against Foxglove Trees. I'll just grow Foxgloves instead ☺. I've also been considering Chitalpa: http://www.soonerplantfarm.com/plant/chitalpa-pink-dawn/ as an accent tree instead. I can't find any info stating that this might be invasive.
Woops, sorry drthor. Was typing while you were posting. MA
Thanks
I just wonder why the Dallas Arboretum is growing this tree ...
I was thinking about that too, maybe they planted it before it was discovered to be invasive and now they may not have the heart to take it out, since it is such a large specimen.
There are so many beautiful natives I can't imagine growing something just bc I liked it. Isn't that how the Cedar Trees got started?
Ummmm Cedar Trees or Dawn Redwoods?
Whatever it is that we have here that are called Cedar and cause Cedar fever. Not Dawn Redwoods.
I am still hoping somebody is growing this tree: Empress Tree-Paulownia Tomentosa
