For those of us who cannot wait for a shade tree to reach its mature state, there are numerous fast growing shade trees to select for your garden. 

Paulownia tomentosa (also known as the Empress Tree, Princess Tree or Foxglove Tree; pao tong ?? in Chinese; kiri ? in Japanese) is a deciduous tree  native to central and western China, but invasive in the US.   It grows to 10–25 m tall, with large heart-shaped to five-lobed leaves 15–40 cm across, arranged in opposite pairs on the stem. On young growth, the leaves may be in whorls of three and be much bigger than the leaves on more mature growth.   The characteristic large size of the young growth is exploited by gardeners: by pollarding the tree and ensuring there is vigorous new growth every year, massive leaves are produced (up to 60 cm across). These are popular in the modern style of gardening which uses large-foliage d and "architectural" plants.

The Empress Tree flowers are produced before the leaves in early spring, on panicles 10-30cm long with a tubular purple corolla 4-6cm long resembling a foxglove flower.  The fruit is a dry egg shaped capsule 3-4cm long,containing numerous tiny seeds.  The seeds are dispersed by wind and rain.  Pollared trees do not produce flowers because they form only on mature wood.

Empress Tree can survive wildfire because the roots can regenerate new, very fast-growing stems. It is tolerant of pollution and it is not fussy about soil type. For this reason it functions ecologically as a pioneer plant. Its nitrogen-rich leaves provide good fodder and its roots prevent soil erosion. Eventually, it  is succeeded by taller trees that shade it. It cannot thrive in the shade of other trees.

A bit of trivia, in China, an old custom is to plant an Empress Tree when a baby girl is born.  The fast growing tree matures when she does.  When the girl is eligible for marriage the tree is cut down and carved into wooden articles for her dowry. 

The Empress Trees' soft, lightweight seeds were commonly used as a packing material by Chinese porcelain exporters in the 19th century, prior to  the development of polystyrene packaging. Packing cases would often leak or burst open in transit and scatter the seeds along rail tracks. This, together with seeds released by specimens deliberately planted for ornament, has allowed the species to become an invasive weed tree in areas where the climate is suitable for its growth, notably Japan and the eastern United States. You can purchase any of these trees from our online nursery. 

NAME ANNUAL 3 YEAR  MATURITY
Empress Tree 10-15 ft 35-50 40-50
Willow hybrid 6-12 'ft 25-40 35-75
Lombardy Poplar  8-10 ft.  30-40 ft.  40-60 ft. 
Hybrid Poplar  8-10 ft.  30-40 ft.  50-70 ft. 
Eucalyptus Tree 6-8 ft. 20-30 ft.  40 ft.
Weeping Willow  4-8 ft.  15-30 ft.  40-50 ft.
American Sycamore  6 ft.  20-25 ft.  70 ft.
Tulip Poplar  6 ft.  15-20 ft.  70 ft.
Quaking Aspen 5 ft.  15-20 ft.  40-50 ft.
Tuscarora Crape Myrtle  4-5 ft.  15-20 ft.  15-25 ft.
Crape Myrtle 4-5 ft.  15-20 ft.  15-25 ft
Summers Red Maple 3-5 ft.  15-20 ft.  40 ft.
October Glory Maple 3-5 ft. 15-20 ft.  40-50 ft.
Red Rocket Crape Myrtle 3-5 ft. 15-20 ft.  20-30 ft
Autumn Purple Ash  3-5 ft.  15-20 ft.  50-70 ft
Thuja Green Giant  3-5 ft.  15-20 ft.  20-40 ft
Cleveland Pear  4 ft.  15-20 ft.  20-30 ft.
Heritage Birch   3-4 ft.  15-20 ft.  40-50 ft.  
Dawn Redwood  3-4 ft.  15-20 ft.  40-50 ft.