History and Description
    The princess tree was introduced into the United States from East Asia in the 1800s. This tree is a deciduous tree. It can grow to 60 feet tall, and 2 feet wide.

    The leaves of the princess tree are shaped like hearts. They are fuzzy and hairy on both surfaces, and are 6 to 12 inches long and 5 to 9 inches wide.

    From April to May, the princess tree is covered with pretty erect panicles of pale-violet flowers before leaves in early spring. The flower buds are fuzzy, long, and narrow. From June to April terminal clusters of pecan-shaped capsules form on the tree, they are 1 to 2 inches long and are 0.6 to 1 inches wide. They are pale green in summer turning to tan in winter and eventually black persistent into spring.

Uses
    It has been predominately planted as an ornamental tree.  It has also been grown in scattered plantations for exploratory high-value wood exports to Japan.

Reproduction
    It is spread by wind and water dispersed seeds.

Ecological Threat
    The princess tree is common around old homes, on roadsides, and forest boundaries in diseased areas. It is sometimes planted in plantations. It invades after fire, harvesting, and other disturbances.

    The princess tree forms colonies from root sprouts. It easily adapts to bothered habitats, as well as beforehand burned areas, forests defoliated by pests, (such as the gypsy moth) and landsides. It can survive fire, cutting, and bulldozing in construction areas. 

Control
    The princess tree can be controlled using a range of mechanical and chemical controls. Hand pulling may be helpful for young seedlings. You can pull the seedlings best after it rains and the soil is movable. The whole root has to be pulled because broken fragments may re-sprout.    

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Last modified: 02/26/04