What's the real story with royal empress trees?

[Gardentime]

Hi everyone, we live in CT and have a royal empress tree that we planted last year. It was a 2 foot twig when we planted it and it grew leaves and branches but then the branches fell off in the fall. I have read articles on other websites where people have taken a saw and cut the 'twig' to the ground before bloom time. People have said that the tree grew 15 feet that season after cutting it to the ground. I want to know if I should do the same to my tree.

I would greatly appreciate any comments/suggestions,

Thank you.

[MagnoliaMan]

If your empress tree is Paulonia tomentosa, here is my story. As a nurseryman in Kansas, zone 6A, we planted a row of them because they were touted as "growing 8-10' a year." We planted some 2-3' whips in the field and by golly, they grew to 8-10' the first year! Wow. However, after the following cold winter they were only stubs, and regrew 6-8' the next year. I think that they are a zone 7 plant, subject to Kansas winters of wet, maybe dry, maybe cold, maybe normal...and if anything abnormal happens they die back when young. The reason that I say when young is that I am familiar with an established specimen here (7-8" caliper) that survives all and blooms each year. Like I said, go figure.

[Gardentime]

So, should I get the saw out and cut my tree?

[valleytreeman]

Gardedn time, Magmans description of how Pawlonias grow as juveniles is right on. I've seen the same response many times. Yes cut it off at the ground and you will get a straight stem with impressive growth. We call this copice management in forestry and is often used with beligerant black walnuts to get a straight stemmed specimen. Once roots are well established it should begin resist winter die back. Usually the die back involves late season growth. Don't fertilize it and don't water after the first of July unless in severe drought. You want the wood to harden before winter rather than to stimulate continual season long growth. Keep in mind they typically they grow on sandy well to excessively drained soils.

[Gardentime]

Thank you VTM,

Since I'm not an experienced gardener, when should I cut my tree to the ground? (temps are in the 50's this week in Connecticut) -Should I wait until at least mid-April at the earliest?


Thanks.

[valleytreeman]

You want to do this before the tree is ready to break dormancxy.... now is a very good time.

[Gardentime]

In the future I will try to ask all of my questions at one time..

Question: When I cut the 2-3ft. twig that is there now, can I take the cutting and plant it again, to grow another tree? If yes, will it grow just as fast?


Thanks guys!