Lana in NW Missouri on 4/3/2009:

My trees arrived today and I'm very happy with how they look. I was expecting the little infamous sticks, but instead I got 2 tiny beanstalks. I am very happy with how well it was packaged - almost too well! The instructions seem pretty clear and easy to follow.

Reviewed by Daniel on 11/12/2008:

I purchased a Royal Empress, 2 Hybrid Poplars, & an Autumn Ash last fall and must say they are growing fast and beautiful. As many, I was skeptical of buying trees online but figured I would give it a shot! To my amazement the trees flourished in their 1st season of growing, some growing taller than trees I had planted 2 years ago! I definitely recommend these flowering trees to anyone looking for quality specimens of trees and plants that really do grow as fast as they say!

Reviewed by Justin on 11/12/2008:

I used the Royal Empress Tree as a kind of climate control tree offering shade to the house in the summer, but allowing the sun to come through in the winter. It's grown an astounding 6 feet this season and that's beyond amazing for two reasons, first because my soil here is so poor and second because most people told me that these trees should not even survive up in the rocky mountains at all. The versatility and vigor of this Royal Empress Tree is incredible.

Reviewed by John from Hew Hope, PA on 10/27/2008:

Ok, my empress tree has gone from 12 inches to 12 feet in just one season. I bet my neighbor a case of my favorite beverage that it would be taller than him (6'5") in a year and I won. it didn't flower yet and the leaves are a bit awkward looking as it matures (elephant looking) but it generates a ton of discussion so far and for that I have enjoyed it. It is simply a marvel and young kids are amazed as it literally passes them in a few months. I look forward to the flowers soon. Nice product.

Reviewed by Trenda on 10/27/2008:

I’m desparate for some shade in the backyard–and you know how patient I am.

Well, our tree has been the source of lots of laughs and jokes this summer. It’s supposed to grow 8-15 feet in the first year I say (with some skepticism in my voice). When it arrived, it was a stick. Literally a stick about 6 inches tall with some roots in a bag–not really what I was expecting. But we enthusiastically followed the directions, watered and put a cage around it.

Now, it’s fall and it has lost it’s leaves and has returned to its “stick” status–only now the stick is about 5 feet tall!

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Reviewed by Cheryl on 10/7/2008:

I went through hurricane Ike.  My Royal Empress Tree was 18 inches when I planted it.  I protected the best possible from the hurricane.  The flowering tree did wonderful, unfortuntely the saturated ground drowned it.  It literally drowned to nothing.  I dug it up, planted it in a pot, and cut it down to the ground.  I did this only a week ago.  The tree is growing back and is already about 6 inches!  It'd never have believed it if I hadn't have tried it myself.  This tree is truly indistructible!

Reviewed by Louis on 10/6/2008:

I bought 4 royal empress trees and planted them in my backyard in 2006. Let me tell you last year we had a hard freeze and I thought the tree was dead. I cut it down to the ground but this past spring it grew so fast and its now almost 20 feet tall,  wow!

Reviewed by Travis on 10/6/2008:

I've seen this tree do wonders... I've gotten a Royal Empress Tree for each of my family members. I got one for my sister, one for my parents, two for my brother in Florida, and 6 for my oldest brother (to line his driveway with).

The oldest one is no more than 5 years old, and they're all easily over 25 feet tall. My brother lined his driveway with these trees... in the spring, when you walk around his yard, you're greeted with sweet fragrances from the flowers. A lot of people think these trees are invasive, but out of all the Empress Trees I bought from Fast Growing Trees, I haven't seen any invasive activity. No one in my family has had any problems with their trees.

Beautiful flowers, too! One of my favorite flowering trees.

Reviewed by Gary on 10/4/2008:

The Empress Tree is one ormamental tree that I am hoping will be a real show-stopper beginning what will be its 4th year of growth next spring. This summer it grew from a height of 6 ft. to 25 ft. so next spring so I am crossing my fingers for tons of blooms.

What I have admired from the start was its large fanning, palm-like leaves which give a rather tropical look (which I love) accenting my evergreen windmill palm trees that are rather slow growing but also hearty in non-tropical enviroments, both adding to a rather unexpeted mystial tropical charm to my Washington, DC home. (I find people slowing down to admire the 'show' as they drive by, and some even taking pictures.) I cant help but to reccomend both, but the Empress Tree is a must have in itself.

Reviewed by Melissa on 9/30/2008:

This flowering tree has beautiful blooms that make my home stand out. An old couple was passing by and asked about them. My neighbors have been talking about these flowers for weeks.

Reviewed by Marie on 9/11/2008:

We live in Las Vegas, NV and wanted something that would give us some fast shade for our front yard. Our choice needed to be drought and sun tolerant as it often reaches 105 and hotter on most summer days.  We did some research and then ordered the Royal Empress (princess tree). We to received the much talked about 'stick'. We planted it in spring of 2007. It did not do much so we cut it to the ground in spring of 2008. It took 4 weeks to start growing again but seemed to grow at least an inch every day after that. It is now early September and our Royal Empress is every bit of 12 ft., maybe as tall as 15 ft. This tree is amazing. I hope we get flowers soon!!

Reviewed by Mike on 9/10/2008:

I maintain a softball complex that was built over an old landfill. I purchased 5 of your Empress trees 2 1/2 years ago to plant because of lack of shade. The soil is bad to say the least but as of today the trees are about 14 feet tall with huge leaves. No flowers yet but keeping my fingers crossed. I am sure the poor soil is hindering the growth but I am still very happy with the progress of the trees. Planning on buying 5 more.

Reviewed by Mike on 8/31/2008:

My Royal Empress has grown about 6 feet since I planted it in June.

Reviewed by Cheryl on 8/26/2008:

I fell for the reviews and HAD to try it. Let me tell you, the reviews are all right!

This tree came in a box, looked dead, (enclosed info and instructions are awesome). I couldn't plant it right away.  Planted it in a pot and within weeks, this tree was 3 - 4 feet high!!  I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't try it on my own.  You GOTTA try it!

Reviewed by Michael on 8/25/2008:

I have read the reviews posted on this page I have one thing to say... there is no way these trees grow just a little bit. I planted my tree in first of may and it is 10 feet tall it has had fertilize once a month. When I water this tree it grows over night.

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