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Princess Tree (Paulownia): Invasive Identification and Stump Treatment

Q: This huge-leaved plant appeared and keeps growing. What is it?

Princess tree (Paulownia tomentosa)—huge heart-shaped leaves, especially on young/resprouted plants. Purple spring flowers like upside-down wisteria, but brittle limbs and massive seeding make it a weed.

Control: Cut at base, immediately spray stump heavily with glyphosate or triclopyr (click for sources).

Paulownia (Princess Tree)

paulownia

paulownia juvenile leaf

paulownia mature leaf

paulownia seeds

About Gardening: Littleleaf Linden Honeydew: Aphid/Scale Systemic Treatment; Keelbacked Treehopper on Tomato: Minor Pest; Invasive Paulownia: Remove Before It Spreads; Oystershell Scale on Zelkova and Maple: Winter Oil Spray; Virginia Copperleaf Identification and Control Strategies; Crabgrass Identification and Prevention in Bermuda Lawns; Squash Bugs: Copper Eggs = Act Now, Smash or Spray, Rotate Crops; Ragweed: The Real Allergy Culprit; Henbit vs. Purple Deadnettle: ID and Control; Mistletoe Control: Understanding Ethephon Treatment and Limitations

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