On my hike today...

BeckyLynn

we saw this tree, I came home and started searching the internet with no luck figuring out what it is... if anyone could let me know, that'd be wonderful.

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cte539

Royal Empress Tree
Pawlownia tomentosa
Paul

Eden Keeper

Royal empress tree, Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Siebold & Zucc. ex Steud., or princesstree is correct. These are somewhat invasive exotics due to the millions of seed, but they usually just grow in open disturbed areas. They can grow very fast (12+ feet per year) and are often sold for that reason. I've nominated one that was planted only about 10 years ago as the Alabama State Champion, but it will be July 2011 before I know if it is declared so. The wood is highly marketable thus many plantations have been planted, but like any get rich quick scheme the marked is probably flooded. Not surprisingly the owner of the plantation nearest me was so lazy (typical of those drawn to quick riches) that about half the potted seedling are still growing where they were left sitting after being unloaded. Whenever I get permission to do so I'll cut down a tree so I can to harvest a sucker that grows annually to make it into an amazingly light weight hiking stave.