Royal Empress or Paulownia Tomentosa trees belong to the deciduous hardwood family of trees. They are known to be extremely fast-growing and invasive species. They are usually cultivated for their beautiful foliage. Wherever this species has been introduced, it has slowly turned itself into a naturalized species of that area. They are considered to be small to medium-sized trees with an average height of 70 feet.
Let’s take a look at how to kill Royal Empress trees and their root system.
How to Kill Royal Empress Trees?
Some of the most popular methods for killing Paulownia Tomentosa are:
- Foliar Spray
- Cutting the tree down and treating the stump with Herbicides
- Gridling or ring barking
- Basal Bark treatment
- Injecting the tree with killing chemicals
- Cut surface treatment
All of the above methods have their own pros and cons, if you would like to learn more about different methods how to kill trees, I have a more detailed article about them.
The best way to kill a small Royal Empress tree
Some smaller Paulownia Tomentosa can only grow up to 25 feet tall. They should be killed as fast as possible due to their highly invasive nature. There are a couple of methods you can use on trees on a smaller side.
The first option is to simply cut down the tree using a chainsaw or an ax and treat the stump with a herbicide like Tordon RTU, Relegate, etc. Using a herbicide will ensure that the root system dies and the Royal Empress will not sprout again.
Cutting down a small tree should not be an issue and you can probably get it done without any professional help.
If you don’t want to cut down the tree, there is an alternative method you can go for.
Basal Bark Treatment
Keep in mind that you can only use this method if the diameter of the trunk is less than 6-7 inches.
Make sure you are wearing protective gear while using this method.
You will need a backpack sprayer, a strong herbicide, and an oil-based solvent. (Recommended products here)
Ideally, you should choose herbicides that contain Trycloper or Trycloper Ester as the main chemical. Even Imazapyr-based herbicides can be a good option. For example, Garlon 4 Ultra, Relegate, Forestry Garlon XRT are good choices.
The solvent to mix the herbicide in would be diesel, basal oil, fuel oil, or kerosene.
The ideal proportion for mixing should be 1 part herbicide and 4-part solvent, so about 20-25% concentration.
Some types of herbicides in the market can directly be used for this method without needing to mix with anything, like ‘Pathfinder II’, but these types of herbicides turn out to be more expensive. There are a lot of varieties in the market, so make sure to read the label before using them.
- Once you have the solution, spray the bottom 20 inches of the Paulownia Timentosa tree with this solution and let it dry out.
- Repeat this process a few times for better absorption.
- Make sure that the tree is not wet while performing this technique as the oil-based solvent is hydrophobic, which means they will not be absorbed as effectively
For more details read manufacturers’ instructions on your preferred herbicide.
The best way to kill a large Royal Empress tree
Some Paulownia Tomentosa trees can grow up to 80 feet tall. Trees this big can become highly invasive so it is recommended to kill the tree as fast as possible.
The roots of Paulownia Tomentosa can cause a lot of damage to nearby property like water pipes, sewer, foundations, concrete slabs, etc.
You can use two methods together to speed up the killing process – Ringbarking and Chemical Injection
Ringbarking
Ringbarking would be the easiest and the most efficient method for killing a large Paulownia Tomentosa as it will stop the nutrient flow from the roots to the stems and the leaves. Without nutrients, the tree will die over time.
- You will need to either get a hatchet, hammer and chisel or chainsaw for this method.
- Remove a ring of bark around the entire tree, about 4-8 inches wide. Do not be affraid damaging the cambium layer of the tree in the process as it will help stopping the nutrient flow.
- For extra measure, spray some concentrated herbicide along the exposed bark. Tordon RTU would be the best option.
Make sure you take all of the safety precautions and read the manufacturer’s label before using the herbicide.
Chemical Injection
- You will need a drill and a strong herbicide for this method.
- Drill holes, 2-3 inches deep along the circumference of the tree, about 2-3 feet above the ground. The holes should be drilled at a slight downward angle.
- Inject a strong herbicide like Roundup or Tordon RTU into these holes and let it absorb. This herbicide from amazon is a good option to use here (affiliate link).
- After about an hour, inject more herbicide into these holes to increase the absorption and efficiency.
- If the tree has multiple trunks, make sure to drill holes and apply herbicide to each one of them.
What’s the best time to kill Royal Empress?
Winter would be a perfect time to kill a Paulownia Tomentosa. Royal Empress shed all of their leaves during the beginning of fall and they start producing flowers during the beginning of spring. This means that the tree will require the most amount of energy right before spring. Killing the tree during winter using ringbarking will stop any nutrient supply needed to produce new flowers.
Things to consider while removing a tree on your own
Paulownia Tomentosa can be invasive in nature. Their roots can cause a lot of damage to nearby property like water pipes, gas lines, foundations, etc. Make sure to check for any possible damage after removing the tree.
Should you hire a professional tree removal service?
If Paulownia Tomentosa is small, you can manage to get it killed by yourself. On the other hand, if the tree is big, it can get quite tricky if you need to cut it down.
From killing the tree to getting it cut down and transported, there are a lot of factors to consider, and hiring a professional will take care of most of these problems. A professional will also check and consult you for any damage due to the invasive root system.
Take a look at my tree removal cost guide here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you kill a Royal Empress without cutting it down?
Although it is not recommended to kill the Royal Empress without cutting it down due to their invasive nature, the preferred method for doing so would be Basal Bark Treatment for a smaller tree and Ringbarking along with Chemical Injection for a larger tree.
Can Paulownia Tomentosa be killed using copper nails?
Yes, Copper nails can be used to kill Paulownia Tomentosa by hammering them into the trunk of the tree. The number of copper nails required can change depending on the size of the tree. You might need up to 15-20 to kill a large tree.
What are the uses for Paulownia Tomentosa’s timber?
Paulownia Tomentosa’s timber has been used for making furniture for over 1000 years in China. It is also used for making cutlery like bowls, spoons, and even carvings.
Conclusion
A Royal Empress tree, smaller than 25 feet, can be killed using Basal Bark treatment. For bigger trees, you can use Ringbarking and chemical injection or both. Alternatively, the fastest way to kill a Royal Empress would be to cut it down and treat the stump with a strong herbicide like Tordon RTU.
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I am the guy behind Theyardable.com. I grew up on a homestead and I am here to share the knowledge I have and things I learn while living in the countryside.
