Paulownia tomentosa brochure - Big Island Invasive Species

SOLUTION
The BIISC field crew will remove this
plant for you if you wish to grant them
permission to access your property.
Simply call the BIISC office (933-3340)
to schedule an appointment for
eradication.
If you wish to remove this plant yourself, we recommend using a cut-stump
method and applying a triclopyr herbicide such as Garlon®. Be aware that the
extensive root system will continue to
send up suckers after initial control.
Help us keep Hawaii county Paulownia
free.
EARLY DETECTION
NOTICE
HO‘ĀLA I KA MAKA
Restoring the Land
Awakening the People
EMPRESS TREE
PAULOWNIA
Big Island Invasive Species Committee
23 E. Kawili St
Hilo, HI 96720
Cell: 808-333-0263
Fax: 808-933-3326
E-mail: [email protected]
Image by Dow agrosciences
TOMENTOSA
Why this plant is
a concern for
Hawai‘i
Princess tree is a fast growing,
large tree capable of producing
twenty million seeds per year
which spread by wind and water
and readily germinate in disturbed areas. The only known
wild population of Princess tree
was found in Waimea and controlled in 2010 and any known
locations of this plant should be
reported.
The fast growth of this plant
makes it an unwanted competitor
in native ecosystems and a
nuisance for utility rights-of-way.
Description
Human impact
Paulownia tomentosa is in the
Scrophulariaceae family. It has large,
heart-shaped leaves, sometimes over a
foot across and one foot long. The
purple-lavender colored flowers are
born on long, cylindrical, terminal inflorescences 6-12 inches long. The
fruit is a dry, brown capsule 2 inches
long with four compartments that
contain several thousand tiny, white,
winged seeds. The capsules will
remain on the tree long after releasing
their seeds.
The Empress Tree is a very
versatile plant which can grow
in many different habitats. The
extensive root system forms
colonies from root suckers
which can grow up to 15 feet
per year. These large trees have
hollow, structurally unsound
branches which create a hazard
to homeowners when the plant
very quickly reaches its’ fullgrown height.
With its ability to produce
millions of seeds in a single season, this tree can take over vast
areas if left unchecked.