In lower New York State, I saw an 30-40 tree with lilac colored flowers. Anyone know the name of it?

A mature 'Royalty ' is 15'-20' , so not likely. (Never say never though. Sometimes the plant hasn't read the book) Was probably was a Redbud ( Cercis canadensis) or possibly 'Leonard Messel ' Magnolia ( Magnolia x loebneri (i.e. M.stelllata x M. kobus) ) . Redbud has 1/2" flowers in clusters of 4-8 , held tight to the branches, all along the branches . The Magnolia has star-shaped , very fragrant , 4" flowers , purple-pink on the outside , white tinged with pink on the inside .Most likely candidate is Redbud . Jacaranda wouldn't have a prayer in NY. Pauwlonia would probably be killed to the ground most years, so 30-40' is unlikely .

In lower New York State, I saw an 30-40 tree with lilac colored flowers. Anyone know the name of it?
It may have been Paulownia aka Empress Tree


look here:





http://www.fast-growing-trees.com/Paulow...
Reply:you might need more details, such as leaf size and shape, and bark characteristics.
Reply:I think you are seeing the Royal Paulownia, or Empress or Princess tree. I have one in my yard that I planted almost 30 years ago, and once I did I began to notice them along the highways and train tracks here in NJ and nearby PA. The flowers are very distintive and come out before the leaves. Mine is blooming right now. They are almost weedlike along the roadsides in some areas, since each tree can produce an estimated 21 million seeds.
Reply:I bet it was a Crabapple. ''Royalty Crabapple'' to be exact...they have blooms that are usually a darker purple, but resemble those of lilacs.





It's a good looking Tree.
Reply:Maybe a Jacaranda I'm not sure of the spelling though.