Thank you for purchasing your Royal Empress Tree. In addition to being beautiful, the Empress is one of the most environmentally beneficial trees on Earth. It’s incredibly efficient at absorbing carbon dioxide (greenhouse gases) and releasing large amounts of oxygen into the air you breathe.

Your Empress tree was not grown from seed. It was genetically cloned from one of the fastest-growing, hardy, and well-formed Empress Trees in the world. Your tree started in a laboratory as a few cells from a growth bud. This process is much more involved than growing from seed, but it insures that you get a near-perfect tree. In addition to faster growth, you should see blooms in the first year. In contrast, seed grown trees can take 6-8 years to bloom for the first time.

We recommend that your Paulownia tree be removed from its packaging immediately upon arrival. If possible, your tree should be planted without delay. If temperatures exceeding 95 degrees or a severe drought do not permit this, you should pot your tree and set in a shaded area. The best time to plant your Paulownia is at least six weeks before your first frost. Though, a tree can be planted at any time of year with proper attention and care.

When you have selected and prepared a planting location, dig a hole that will provide plenty of room for your trees root system. This hole should be roughly twice the height and width of the roots. Spread the roots out and surround with soil to prevent air pockets. Fill the hole with dirt or soil, ensuring that the roots are completely covered, as soil will condense a bit after watering. Pack soil firmly.

Water your tree properly, in accordance with your location and weather conditions.

Do not allow weeds and/or grass to grow within three feet of your Paulownia. These should be pulled, and your tree should then be mulched.

Initial Care
A great deal of care has been taken to package your tree(s). Still, it has been in a dark box for two to three days, likely handled roughly by the mail carrier, and possibly exposed to extreme temperatures. Your tree(s) may look a little wilted or dry, but this is common and nothing to be concerned about. With proper watering, your tree will rejuvenate itself. It may have no leaves, but this is because it has been trimmed before being packed.

The key to the survival of your new tree(s) is to keep the roots moist at all time. However, do not soak the roots in water as this will deprive your tree(s) of much needed oxygen. Rather, pay close attention to the roots and the surrounding soil to ensure that they are neither dry nor saturated.

Upon receiving your tree(s), we recommend that you immediately unpack it, unbundle and spread the roots out, and sprinkle the roots with water. Plant your tree in a small pot and water it. This will give it a chance to get over the shock of shipping and get used to its new environment before replanting in the ground.

If your tree arrived already planted in a small pot, keep it either outside in the shade or on a window sill for 1-2 weeks to let it get acclimated to its new climate.

Planting Instructions
After giving your new tree(s) time to recover from being shipped, we recommend that you plant your tree(s). In addition to taking care of the roots, it is also important to prepare the sight properly. Dig up an area 2 to 3 feet deep and at least 4 feet in diameter. This will loosen the soil and remove grass. For best results, mix in potting soil or soil conditioner, especially if planting in clay or poor soil.

After digging your hole, place the 2 Year Slow Release Fertilizer Tablet at the bottom of your hole. This should be about 4-6 inches below the bottom of the root system. After placing the fertilizer tablet in the hole, cover with 4-6 inches of dirt. It is important that the roots do not touch the fertilizer tablet as this could “burn” the roots up. The tablet is too concentrated to have direct contact with the roots (see Fig 1).

*Precaution*
Please keep this fertilizer tablet out of reach of children and pets. In the case of accidental inhalation or ingestion, please contact your local poison control center or veterinarian.

After covering the fertilizer tablet with at least 4-6 inches of soil, spread the roots out evenly in the hole and surround them with dirt so that no air pockets are present. Be sure to pack the dirt firmly because if air pockets are present, the roots of your tree will dry out. Be sure to water immediately after planting. This will also help to get rid of any other air pockets.

In addition, you want to plant your tree so that the “root collar” is level with the ground (see figure 2). (The “root collar” is the height where the roots effectively become the stem of the tree. It is commonly seen as a line that is lighter bark on top, darker roots on bottom. This is the line where the soil initially came to when your seedling was grown.)

We recommend planting your new Empress Tree(s) at least 3 feet from walkways and foundations. Also, avoid planting your new tree(s) near septic systems. You need to plant at least 10 feet from building structures. Be sure to select a sunny area with free draining soil. Your new Empress tree(s) will not thrive in a spot that holds excess water.

*Important Note*
If your area is experiencing a severe drought, avoid planting your tree(s) in the ground.  It is suggested that you plant your tree in a light-colored pot in the shade. Once the temperature drops or the drought breaks, you can transplant your tree to the area of your lawn that you want.

If you live in an area where ground freezing is a problem, we recommend that you plant your tree in the ground at least 6 weeks before your first frost. If this is not possible, pot your tree in a 3-5 gallon container. You can leave your potted plant in a garage or protected area until the ground warms. If you live in a moderate climate, then you can plant in the ground in the fall and winter. Use mulch in the fall and winter to help insulate the roots.

Spring Pruning
If you planted your sapling late in the growing season or your tree did not grow at least 4 feet before winter dormancy, we recommend that you cut it to the ground at the very start of spring (a process called coppicing). Do this only if you ordered our saplings (6 inches to 2 feet tall). This may seem odd, but it will grow a very straight, beautiful tree. Your tree(s) will more than make up for the lost growth in the first few weeks. We have seen some empress trees grow as many as 20 feet in the first year after being cut back to the ground.

Don’t worry about being exact. Once your tree is established you can prune it by running over it with a truck, and it will grow a new tree. This process (coppicing) can be done anytime of year, though we recommend spring.
The new stump will have several shoots coming up from it. Select the largest shoot and pinch the others off. This shoot will grow at a very rapid rate and will grow into a very straight tree. (For detailed instructions on coppicing go to www.plantingdirections.com)

Watering
During the first year, make sure your tree gets water during extended dry spells, particularly in the summer months. Drooping leaves are a sign of both over or under watering. Empress trees do not like too much water. The soil should be moist without being saturated. An easy way to tell is by sticking your finger down into the dirt. Let your soil get dry to the point where you can barely feel any moisture, then water it.

Fertilizer
Empress Trees love fertilizer. Organic fertilizer high in nitrogen works well. You can use Miracle Grow or Scotts 20-20-20. Fertilize twice a month when the tree is coming out of dormancy, then once a month during the summer. Stop fertilizing before the tree goes back into dormancy. However, do not fertilize during the first year. Your Two Year Slow Release fertilizer tablet provides all the nurtrients your tree needs during the first year.

Weed Control
Keep weeds and grass two to three feet away from the tree in the first year. Pull the weeds initially, and then you can use a growing mat or mulch. Do not spray Roundup® on a young tree, and be careful that wind does not blow chemical drift on the tree. During the first year, weeds and grass rob moisture away from young trees and can cut their growth rate in half.

Deer
The Royal Empress Tree is not a desired food for deer. However, if nothing more appetizing is available, they have been known to eat the growth bud at the top of the stem. If you think this may be a problem, sprinkle some Deer Away® on the top of the tree until it grows 6 feet tall (beyond the reach of the deer).

Branch Pruning
Large leaves grow in pairs up the tree (one on each side). Every few inches up the tree, you will see a new set. These should be left on the tree to maximize photosynthesis. These leaves will fall off later.
Above each leaf on the tree’s stem, you will see a little bud growing. This is referred to as a “sucker.” It is a permanent branch trying to grow. Pinch these off until you get to the height where you want your first branches to grow. The higher you let your branches start, the higher your clearance will be under the branches.

Flowering
You should start seeing flowers blooming the first or second year. You will see buds on the tree through the winter. Flowers will bloom at the very beginning of spring.  

Insects and Disease
The best defense is a healthy tree. Empress Trees are very hardy. Good soil, proper feeding, and correct irrigation are the keys to its prosperity. If worms bite holes in the leaves, you can sprinkle Sevin-10 Dust® on them. These little bites do not affect the tree since it is growing at such a fast rate and putting on so many new leaves.

Pets
The tree is not poisonous. In fact its leaves are fed to livestock as a high protein fodder.
 

Winter Dormancy
During late fall and winter, your tree will go dormant. The leaves will fall off and the stem will turn brown. Nothing will be happening above ground, but the roots will continue to grow below, especially during nice days. This winter root growth will help accelerate growth when spring comes.

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