This Tree Grows 15 Feet Per Year. Burns Hotter Than Coal. Why Is It Illegal To Plant?

This Tree Grows 15 Feet Per Year. Burns Hotter Than Coal. Why Is It Illegal To Plant? A tree that can shoot up ~15 feet in a single year sounds like the ultimate homestead hack. Fast timber. Fast shade. Fast “fuel.” It’s called the Princess/Empress Tree (Paulownia tomentosa)—and it’s so aggressive that some places classify it as prohibited/banned. Source Here’s what most viral posts skip: it’s not “illegal” because it’s amazing—it’s restricted because it spreads like crazy. Each seed capsule can hold up to ~2,000 winged seeds, and a single mature tree can produce millions that travel by wind and water. Source And even if you cut it down, it can come back through root sprouting, making it hard to control once it escapes into disturbed land, roadsides, streambanks, and forest edges. Source So yes—people plant it for speed. But governments restrict it for ecology. Where is it actually restricted? In Wisconsin, it’s officially classified as Prohibited. Source And according to the Tennessee Invasive Plant Council, it’s listed as prohibited/banned/invasive in multiple places (examples given: AL, CT, MA). Source Bottom line: This isn’t a “free energy conspiracy.” It’s an invasive species story—fast growth comes with a fast takeover risk. Cornell notes many states have listed it as invasive and/or regulate its sale. Source SOURCES: NCSU Extension: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/pa... Cornell MG: https://blogs.cornell.edu/master-gard... TNIPC: https://www.tnipc.org/invasive-plants... Wisconsin DNR: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Invas... #paulownia #empresstree #princesstree #invasivespecies #homestead #permaculture #firewood #treefacts #gardening