Bought 4 of these in May 2012 followed instructions,do make sure you fertilize,i used Miracle Grow once a month and watered 4 times a week,it came bare root and stick,had buds in 2 weeks and huge dark green leaves in 1 month about the size of your fist,they are now in Sept about half the size of a basketball,grew in height about 2 feet in 5 months.Do not just dig a small hole and plant,i mixed a small amount of manure with the native soil and Miracle grow for trees and shrubs,I am already being asked what kind of tree is this with the beautiful huge dark green leaves,it is the Southern variety called Royal Empress Paulomia,I live in Arkansas ,Ozarks zone 7b in the foothills,follow directions and do not plant too deep and sit back and watch the explosion!!!!Highly recommended and thanks Gina at Fastgrowingtrees.com