central and western China
This tree grows 33–82 ft tall, with large heart-shaped to five-lobed leaves 6–16 in across, arranged in opposite pairs on the stem. The very fragrant flowers are produced before the leaves in early spring. The fruit is a dry egg-shaped capsule 3–4 cm long, containing numerous tiny seeds. The seeds are winged and disperse by wind and water. Pollarded trees do not produce flowers, as these form only on mature wood (Wikipedia).
Paulownia tomentosa is cultivated as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit (Wikipedia).