How to Remove Princess Tree
These recommendations are primarily for homeowners and communities that would like to start working in their neighborhood greenspace. For each species we recommend herbicide-free control methods, but have added an herbicide option for some species for those who are comfortable using them. These methods were selected while keeping in mind limiting soil disturbance, reducing herbicide use, and avoiding harm to other species that may be present whether they be other plants/animals. Manual removal is possible for all of them if you have the time. If the infestation is overwhelmingly severe or these tips aren’t proving effective, we suggest you consider qualified professional services.
Princess Tree
Paulownia tomentosa – Georgia EPPC Category 1 (serious problem in Georgia)
Princess Tree quickly grows a robust root system and is often connected underground to other trunks. Because of this growth form, we recommend using the cut and treat or cut and leave methods, or the girdling method for larger trees.
Cut and Leave & Cut and Treat
If the tree or shrub cannot be uprooted, the best removal method is cut-and-treat. We suggest using a high concentrate (between 20-50%), glyphosate-based solution and add in an indicator dye to keep track of what has been treated. Use a hand saw to cut down the tree or shrub. Get the stump as close to the ground as possible, ideally less than 1” off the ground. If the tree or shrub has a larger diameter, getting closer to the ground will be more difficult and not as necessary as for a smaller diameter tree.
If you prefer not to use an herbicide (cut-and-leave), know that the stump will regrow. Make your initial cut around 1’ to waist height off of the ground to allow recutting in subsequent years. When the plant regrows, take pruners or a hand saw and remove all new growth as soon as you see it. This will eventually starve the roots, killing the plant.
The stump should be treated with the herbicide within 5 minutes after the cut. We use 1-liter hand sprayers to apply the herbicide, but it can also be “painted on” using a brush to apply the solution to the cut. Be sure not to get the herbicide anywhere but on the stump you are treating. If the stump is not treated, or is not cut low enough, it will regrow.
Girdling
Princess tree is an incredibly fast growing tree. It quickly reaches heights where it can be difficult or unsafe for most individuals to cut and treat it. When a princess tree gets to an unmanageable size, you can girdle the trunk to kill the tree. This will kill the tree above the cut so do not do this in an area where the dead tree can fall and damage people or property.
Use your saw to cut a small ring in the bark. Cut until you see the white sapwood, all the way around the tree in a complete circle. Then spray the cut with herbicide. We suggest using a high concentrate (between 20-50%), glyphosate-based solution and add in an indicator dye to keep track of what has been treated.
Cut a ring all the way around the tree till you can see the white sapwood.
Spray the ring with herbicide, within 5-10 minutes after cutting.
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“Category” refers to description of invasiveness based on information from the Georgia and North Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council (EPPC) and do not necessarily reflect the severity of invasions in Atlanta specifically. View our Resource “Atlanta’s Top Invasive Plants (A to Z) Expanded List” for more information.
A great opportunity to learn is volunteering with us at a Forest Restoration project. Please view our Calendar of upcoming service projects or consider enrolling in our annual Forest Stewardship training program. For other species removal, also read: How to Remove Our Top 10 Invasive Plants.
If you have any questions about this guide please email restoration@treesatlanta.org.
