Quote Originally Posted by tulip View Post
Badger, that looks like a Royal Paulownia tree to me (Paulownia tomentosa), also known as an Empress Tree. It originated in China. It grows fast and has pretty flowers. It's considered invasive because those seed pods drop seeds that sprout prolifically. The tree also sprouts right back when cut down. Down here, in the SE US, it's considered a weed tree. But up north, it doesn't grow so fast. It will provide shade, so that might affect your garden plans.
thanks Tulip! I believe you found its name!! who knew it was a weed tree - one seed did drop into a nearby pot 3 years ago and now I have a smaller one in the corner of the garden. I transferred it into the raised bed last fall and it quickly withered up and dropped its leaves - I thought I killed it. But it came back this year and grew about a foot!

I'm not concerned about the tree getting too big as it's got the "bonsai effect" going on, it hasn't grown any bigger since I moved in 10 years ago. Now, as for the smaller one in the corner, THAT might get big as it's got a whole lot more room for its roots to grow. I wonder if I should dig it up now before it gets too big?