Paulownia
From PlantWiki
| Paulownia |
|---|
 Paulownia in Blooms |
| Species |
| Paulownia |
Contents |
History
The Royal Empress Tree, once thought to be an exclusive native to Asia, has been proven to be a North American prehistoric native also. The genus, Paulownia, was named after Queen Anna Pavlovna of the Netherlands (1795 – 1865).
Characteristics
A deciduous tree, growing 40 – 50 feet tall, with large leaves, can grow up to 15 feet per year once established. The heavily blooming, tubular shaped lavender flowers are fragrant, appearing in clusters in spring before the foliage leafs out. The flower is the symbol of the Office of the Prime Minister of Japan.
The Royal Empress Tree has the ability to rejuvenate stressed and degenerate patches of land quickly. Its root systems run deep and can penetrate compacted, contaminated and toxic soils. The Paulownia Tree can increase the organic content of barren and tainted soils, processes and filters contaminants through the hard work of its vascular system, and emits oxygen into the atmosphere.
Uses
Paulownia are farmed commercially for its lightweight hardwood used for furniture, with Asia being one of the largest importers of American grown Empress Tree wood, also used to build surf boards and musical instruments. Paulownia timber is a pale whitish colored wood with a straight grain and is warp resistant. The farmed Royal Empress can regenerate itself from the existing roots up to 10 times. It can be ready for harvest for saw timber in as little as 5 years making it one of the most attractive agriculture investments for the future, with 120 trees per acre and no irrigation necessary.
Home Use
For the home gardener, The Royal Empress Tree provides a beautiful, fast growing shade tree. One should be aware that a cloned, sterile specimen is more desirable than one grown from seed from the native species, as the energy going into viable seed production is by-passed, instead going into a prettier, stronger tree without the risk of reproduction.
External Links
American Paulownia Association
Research Papers custom paper writing services