Paulownia or Princess-Tree

Posted by Violet Snow Oct 3, 2007

The initials of Maple, Ash, and Dogwood give rise to the mnemonic MAD (or MAD dog). In New York City, the mnemonic changes to DAMP, since we have to add a “P” for paulownia, also known as Princess-Tree, an Asian immigrant found among the city’s parks and gardens. For instance, there are several along the Central Park transverse just north of the bandshell, and one grows in the center of the community garden at 6th St. and Ave. B. It occurs in greater density along the shores of the lower Hudson River, where it has spread from the port, at least as far up as Nyack. Look down while crossing the George Washington Bridge in early May, and you will see the masses of purple blossoms on the banks.

A Nyack resident told me this account of Paulownia’s arrival in New York:

When the U.S. began trading with China in the 19th century, pottery (that is, fine china) was a major import. The delicate objects were packed in crates and cushioned with the large and firm but gently yielding seed pods of Paulownia trees, a precursor of our Styrofoam peanuts. Once in the New York harbor, some of the seeds inevitably escaped their pods and planted themselves along the banks of the Hudson.

In the cool northern climate, Paulownia is not much of a pest, but its rapid growth makes it an invasive species farther south. Recently it has been used in the manufacture of electric guitars, touring skis, and surfboards.

For more information on identifying Paulownia, see Trees with Simple Leaves