The Chinese empress tree (Paulownia tomentosa) was planted in 1995 in recognition of the Honourable David See-Chai Lam, the first Chinese-Canadian Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. The tree is located on the east side of the front lawns of the Legislative Precinct.
In some Chinese traditions, a Paulownia tomentosa is traditionally planted when a daughter is born, and on her marriage the wood is used to make her a gift. The empress tree originated in Asia and has bluish-purple trumpet-shaped blooms in the spring and summer.
