Trees: Paulownia in zone 4

Does anyone know if these are hardy in zone 4? I've tried to find info on them, but am not finding the hardiness. Beautiful, fast growing trees and that is what I'm looking for to plant on my 5 acres, but I can't figure out if they would survive zone 4. Any help would be appreciated, as I'm considering bidding on some off ebay if they would work for me.

Thanks,
Joan

http://www.mediterraneangardensociety.org/plants/Paulownia.to http://www.paulowniatrees.com.au/History.htmmentosa.html
this is the info i have it looks like they will grow in your area if your temps don't go under -10. good luck

Joan: I have plenty of seed of these, if you'd like a packet I'd be happy to send them out. They germinate very easily using the paper towel method, and they grow at alarming speed. Don't waste your money at eBay when you have friends here at DG! :)

dave

Thanks farmgirl for the links. I think I am going to look at them now.

Dave, THANK YOU! I'll email you.

Joan,
Sorry to say, but Paulownia is not hardy in zone 4. Winter temps in zone 4 can reach -30°F and Paulownia is, at best, a zone 6 tree (-10°F). You could grow one in a pot and bring it in for the winter or get seeds from the great people on these forums and grow it as an annual, since the tree grows so fast. Just don't expect the tree to survive the winter.

If you want a large-leaved tree try Catalpa speciosa - The Northern Catalpa. C. speciosa is hardy to zone 4a, has large tropical looking leaves, beautiful white blooms in the spring and 12" seed pods that hang on the tree through the fall. Catalpa is one of the very last trees to leaf-out in the spring so don't think your tree has died when it is the only plant with no leaves. The Catalpas in the Twin Cities didn't leaf-out until early June this year because of the cold spring we had.

You should be able to find Catalpa speciosa at local nurseries or you can get them through mail order nurseries.

Here is a link to a picture of the tree's leaves and seed pods:

http://biology.smsu.edu/Herbarium/Plants%20of%20the%20Interior%20Highlands/Flowers/Catalpa%20speciosa,%20fruits.jpg

Here is a picture of the tree's flowers:

http://biology.smsu.edu/Herbarium/Plants%20of%20the%20Interior%20Highlands/Flowers/Catalpa%20speciosa.JPG

Good luck,
Mike

Thanks Mike, I'll check into those too. I am looking for something that grows fast, besides willows. I've already planted some willows and am looking for some other types.

Dave, do you still have plenty of those seeds?I would love to get a few, if there is something I could trade I would be glad to do something or send postage. I am rooting daphne burwoodii right now and I would be glad to send you some rooted cuttings in a month or two in exchange.Joann

Hi, Joan and all!

If you want, Catalpa also comes in variegated, gold-leaved, or purple-leaved. Check out Forest Farm.

http://www.forestfarm.com

I am new to the forum so Hi to all of you!
I live in Ohio, Zone 5. We had a huge wind storm that blew down our 40 foor blue spruce. We need a very fast growing tree, preferably evergreen, for a privacy fence. Our neighbors built an addition to their home, behind us & built on a small hill so they are higher than us. They put in large picture windows to borrow our landscape & we have absolutely no privacy whatsoever! It is all sun, the north side of the house & lots of water, although we will built the ground up before we plant. We have 150' in length to cover> Can anyone suggest a rapid grower?
Many thanks