CHINESE Pau/owria: A MARVELOUS TREE SPECIES FOR AGROFORESTRY Zhang Huaxin Research Institute of Forestry of Chinese Academy of Forestry Abstract, Paulownia is considered one of the best tees for agroforestry. The genous is native to China and a number of species ofit are extensively used in different type of agroforestry through out the China. ‘The species of genus Pailownda are inultipurpose and provide a nuinber of products, This paper summarizes the distribution of the genus in its native range, important structural attributes, uses and agroforestry models developed using the Pauilownia species as wooly component Introduction Pautawnia, originated from China, is a marvelous tree species, characterized by fast growth, good oc quality, multiple uses, wide distribution at range and easy propagation, Tt has also a unique biological character, i.e, its root system grows in deep eanh and its crown develops in loose structure, which make it suitable to be intercropped with crops arable or mixed planting with other shacle-enduring trees, The Paulownia wood is the traditionally exported from China, which is parket Since 1960s, Paulownia has heen extremely popular and appreciated by Chinese farmers, The Paulownia and crops intercropping models have been applied and extended to 15 million hectares, in rural areas of the central plans of north China. The mixed planting models of Pauelownde with other economic plants have also been applied and extended to ai. area of 20,000 hectares in the hilly areas of south China. Up till now the total number of Paulownia trees growing in China is as many as | Willian including those grown as the shelterbells at the ean! hanks and road sides or for the ermamental forests around the houses and villages. The rapid development Pyislownia planting in China has been well recognized by many other fe been introduced to New Zealand, India Thailand , Pakistan, United States, lly, France, Turkey, Philippines, Uruguay, extremely swelcomed at the internation: ‘countries, The Paulownia trees bi nore than 20 countries, such as Australia, Panama, Braril and Agentina, etc. We believe that Paulownia, as a common property of human being, can bring benefits not only to the Chinese people but also to those in other countties. Species and Their Distribution Pautownia is a deciduous tree species belongs to Scraphulariaceae family. The Paulownia species that are distibuted in the areas noth to the Yangtze River are: Paulownia elongata, p.caiadpivalia and Piomeniosa, among which p.elongata grows faster and is suitable for intercropping with arable crops, while the other two species grow slower hut have better wood quality, The Fautownia species that distributed in the arcas south to the Yangtze River (subtropical rone) are: Paulownia formmel, paustratis, palbiphloca, pfargerit, phawakamid and p.tatwariana. among which pJaritmer has the fast-growing characters and also has straigh! stem, while p.kawakaeéi grows slower with a poor stem form, Pfargerit can grow at the sites with elevation of 1.230-2,000 meters ‘The distribution ri ge of Paulownia is extremely wide in China, from north line from Lisoning (south to Xiongyve}to Beijing, Taiyuan, Yan'an and Pingliang, down to south line of Guangdong, Guangxi and south Yunnan, going east to Taiwan and other coastal provinces, and in the west to Minshan Mountain in Gansu and Gongshan Mountaia in 20° to 40°N and the longitude from 98° to 125° E.‘The climatic conditions vary so much among the paufownia distributed areas, with their annual mean temperature varying from 10°C to 22°C. The best temperature range for Paulownia growth is 24°C to 29°C, The lowest temperature that Paulownia can resist is -20C for p. tomentosa, 16°C for p. elongata and 13°C for p. fortune’, The gronth of paulosnia is negatively influenced when cenperacure is higher than 38. Pav/oamia can adapt to wide-range of precipitation fron 500nm to 2, 500:mn, The suitable edaphic conditions for Paulownia growth are fertile sandy loam to heavy Loam soils with loose structure and salt content less than 0.05%. Paurlomia has little tolerance to water logging and may soils with loose structure and salt content less than 0, 05%. Paulownia has little tolerance to water logging and may die when its growing site is submerged for a short period of time Cin July or August). Paulownia can not be grom in mixed planting with other fast growing broadleaved trees. Impact and Features: Fast Growth Paulownia grows fast, so that its stem is large enough in girth and length enough for sone purpose in 7-8 years age if the appropriate minagenent is given. There is saying often used by the farmers to explain the growth of Paulomia, i.e. “one-year-old tree looks like a thick stick, 3-year-old tree looks Like a big unbrella and 5-year-old tree can be used as saw log”. For example, a 2. fortunet tree growing in Guilin city, Guangxi Autonomous Region had its DBH of 77 cm, height of 21 mand volute of 3.67 m’ when it was I years old, and still ap fortune! tree growing in Guanyan County, Guangxi Autonomous Region had its DRH of 45 cm, height of 21 mand volume of 1.171 m' when it was only 5 years old, which is the best one of fast-growing Paulownia trees in China. 1,2 and 2 years old Paulownia hhup:/ldpishop dpi qld gov.awbookwebkdetails, cgi’ TEMNO=9780724267958 Paulownia is a fast-growing forestry specics that has potential in Australia to produce harvestable limber in six to eight years, Possibilities include growing paulownia as an intensive horticulture crop on high-quality soils with intensive management, or in small wood-lots as an add-on to other farm enterprises. The most likely applications for paulownia appear to be in the joinery and mouldings industry. Uses such as picture framing, arches, comices, cabinet making and wallprocessing issues, It also provides useful costing on establishment, maintenance, harvesting and likely retums, which will assist interested parties in making a commercial assessment. Anyone considering entering the industry should be aware that this is a very new industry in Queensland, ‘The Department is not in a position, at this stage, to advise farmers and others on the likely commercial success of a paulownia-growing enterprise, ISBN 0724267956, Soft Cover, 1998, Growth rates The growth of paulownia is very dependant on site conditions and the age of the tree. One example presented by the Chinese indicates that paulownia may reach 40-50 m in height and have a diameter of greater than 2 m when mature, but trees of this size under cultivation are rare. Rapid early growth rates have been observed, but may not be sustained as the tree ages. In the first year of growth trees may reach 4-6 m in height, growing another 2-3 m in the second year. Paulownia growing on good sites in China and Japan may be 10 metres high with a clear bole of § m and diameter of 22 cm at breast height in 4 years. At these sites it is usual for trees to have a diameter of 45-50 cm at 10 years of age, with production of 12 m®/halyear. Paulownia plantations in Queensland and New South Wales are being managed to produce sawlogs over a 10-15 year rotation. Natural occurrence Paulownia occurs naturally in China, Taiwan, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Its natural distribution ranges from tropical through to cool temperate climates, on sites with average rainfall ranging from 500 mm to over 2,000 mm per annum. It occurs from just above sea level up to an altitude of 2,400 m. The nine species of paulownia are very similar in appearance and timber properties. Paulownia tomentosa and Paulownia fortunei are currently being grown in Australian plantations. As yet, there are no scientifically designed trials to determine the most appropriate species, hybrids or provenances for different sites across Australia.For general information about DPI or DSE please contact: DPI/DSE Customer Service Centre Phone: 136 186 Em: sustomer.service@nre.vic.gov.au Department of Primary Industries / Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria, Australiahtto:/www.nre.vic.gov.au/ Detail of the zone of apical growth ofa young. Paulownia in the beat of development, Paulownia soon after being planted, alongside the same unit ten months later +4,5 ms) ‘and forty months later (+ 7,5 ms.) . Kawakamii planted in April.Over 6 tin August of same year, Austin, TexasThis turk belongs to the same Paulownia. The photos have been caried out othe 12,24 and 40 months of age Quality Wood for Multiple Uses Paulownia weod has many special properties, As one of the lightest wood Cree species in China, Paulomia wood has the properties of high resistance to distortion and splitting, high resistance to insect damage, low coefficient of shrinking index, negligible moisture breaking, easy for drying, easy for processing, easy for sculpting, pretiy in strains, without swell, and good at acoustics and insulationThe Aavlonnie vood can be used for many purposes. Tt can be used as the roof parling or bean for building house in rural areas, and also can be used for making window rane, door or furnishing board. [1 can also be used for making furniture, such as runk, cupboard, be board, bellows, food-packing box, water bucket, stout carrying pole, wooden tile, aqueduct, water cart etc, It is also good rav material for making misical instruments, In Japan end Southeast Asia, the Pau/ownia wood is usual ly used For making handy crafts, such as Clover vase, screen and medal box, The Paulownia cod can also be used for industrial purposes, such as for nakines wooden wedel, packing board for transportat io, vehicle or shipboard and plysood, In Japan, the Paulowriawoed is used wesily for making thin veneer as pasting surface of furniture. The leaf, flover, fruit and bark of Paulomiaare gocd materials for Chinese nedicine In the recent years, the Palovinia vas used successfully for treating many body disorders, The leaf and flover centains rich nutrients that benefit to hunan heal th Besed on the analysis, it contains bulk Fats 11.38% in leaf ate 4.696 in fewer, ilucose 3,768 in leaf and 3.97% in fruit, soluble sugar 4.89% in Teaf and 10. 58% in fruit, bulk proteins 168 in leaf and 27% in fruit. In addition, in the leaf of Paulownia contains 3,098 of nitrogen, 0.19% of phosphorus ane 0.415 potassium. So, che leaf and fruit are good fodder for feeding sheep, pig and rabbit, and also are cod organic manners, UTILIZATION OF ROYALPAULOWNIA, by Bob Wright Suff Forester- Forest Products Uization ” WOOD CHARACTERISTICS The specific gravity of royal Paulownia ranges from 0.23-0.30, with an average of 0.28. For comparison; Eastem cottonwood has @ specific gravity of 0,40; basswood, 0.37; and yellow poplar 0.42. Paulownia is one of the lighter woods known. It is easy to dry and drying defects are few. Tt air-dries in 30-60 days and can be kiln-dried in 24-48 hours. The wood virtually does not split, crack, or check during the drying process. Paulownia is light to almond in color and readily accepts stain. Tt has excellent ‘machining, carving, and working qualities. Shrinkage and expansion with change in moisture content is minimal as compared to most woods. Paulownia has a natural resistance to decay and has the ability to breathe and keep moisture out. In addition to all the above, it is strong, especially for its weight. USES Paulownia has originally been mainly used in the Orient, with fumiture as the major application, Drawer sides and backs, veneer, dressets, chests, and bedroom suites make ‘up most of the furniture built from Paulownia. Musical instruments, especially the koto, comprise another sizeable group of products. Other itemis made from Paulownia ate gift boxes and cases, crating for air shipments, wooden utensils, shoes, bowls, omamental carvings, coffins, and even hair-growing extract from the leaves.Logs exported to the Orient are used primarily for furniture and musical instruments. The close-grain (high-density) wood from the U.S. off the qualities desired to ‘manufacture the higher-value products. Logs and lumber exported from China, Taiwan, and Brazil are used for boxes, drawer sides and backs, shoes, and the center (core) of veneer. In the West the interest and demand in Logs and lumber have been constantly growing during the past few years and Paulownia seems to emerge as a viable alternative to a range of other timbers previously used in various fields LOG GRADES AND PRICES Paulovinia fog grades vary among diferent buyers and companies. Following i list tat reflects qualities required by most firms: PAULOWNIA LOG GRADES? AA: Minimum of 16" on small end, free from defects, stright, centered pith, close grain (approximately 6 rings per inch). A: Minimum of 14" on small end, fre from defets, straight, centred pth, close grin B: Minimum of 12" on smal end, few defects, straight, close grain, CC: Minimum of 10” on small end, allowable defects, close grain, ‘D: Minimum of 9" on small end, allowable defects, close grain. E: Minimum of 9" on small end, allowable defects. ~All logs must be atleast 7 feet in length, Prices paid for Paulownia logs continue to be the highest paid for any species growing in the West. It is, of course, because of this that so much interest has been shown in growing Paulownia as a timber species in the U.S. Following is a list of prices paid for Paulownia logs in Tennessee from 1977 to 1991,DELIVERED PAULOWNIA LOG PRICES IN TENNESSEE* (OCTOBER) (PER MBF DOYLE) 1977 $200-1400 1978 $900-1000 1979, Avg. 1400 1980 Avg, 1000 Jogi Avg. 1000 © 1982 §200-2000 1983 $800-3000 1984 $800-3000 1985 $800-4000 1986 $800-4000 1987 $1000-5000 1988 $1000-5000 1989 $1250-5000 1990 $1500-6000 1991 $2000-8500, **Scurce: Tennessee Forest Products Bulletin bntpzl/sgrinvestine hypenmartnetiplataspec. htm hgp/iwww,paulownia,oridirectoryhtm¥grower ups itwwwoadgully.com wi Paulomia and Agroforestry Modelslow productive farmland, the spacing could be redueed to § X 20-25 m, and after SE years the every ather row of trees will be removed for continuing the éntererouping, and until the tenth year the final cutting of faulowde trees will be done and then start a nee intererapping eyele. The traditional monc-cropping models have been Foplaced tore and mote by Pauiloinia-crops intotcrepping dels, which have resulted in more reasonable utilization of sun light heat, water and air resources, sa that the fareland productivity and the prodnet diversity are raised, The adoption of Poufomiererops incererapp ing is alse good solution to the Lane eompet [tions between the development of ngriculture, forestry and animal husbandry, Such models ean alse improve the microclimate of farmland, which ill guarantee the constant high crop yield. Therefore, these models have been proved as very successful agroforestry odels to reblace the mnoreropning models, At the poorer sites where the forest cultivation is taken as major component, the mixed planting sodels of Pau Jamon and other economic species are eainly Paufosnia with tea, mona hramboo and Chinese Fiz and also Aaufomin with oseanthos, magnolia and enmel is. In these mixed planting Inodels, when the Piulomnia trees are ten years old, usually have mean BBN of 35-10 em and the stand volume of 40-66 m! with 10-168 trees per hectare. The growth of undergromn trees can le improved by the mixed plant ing midels, which may increase the total economic profit by 208 compared to the mona-planting models, Why is Frufomia a good tree for establishing intererapp ing models? The reason is, firstly, its root syster distributes deeply in soil, e.g., 80% of the root syster of a alongnea distributes below 40 em in the soil, while, the majarity of root system of crops, e.g, 806 of wheat root system and 958 of corn root system, distributes in the range of 0-40 em in the soil, so that they ean use the nutrients asd water in the soil nt different vertical levels without competition, Secondly, its intercropping model, can utilize solar energy cftectively Wincreasing the photosynthesis veriod of undergrown wheat, In the milk stage of wheat grain, since its light saturationpaint is 20,000-B0,000 Iux, the wheat often gets into dormancy araiind noon shen sui ight is usual Ly 40, 000-50, 000 lux during cay tise fn North China Plain. However, the #iulomde-crops intercropping model cnn reduce the direct sun shine to the crops and the reflected light that passes thramgh the Faufoonia trees cam reduce the direct sun shine to the crops and the reflected Light that passes through the Paulownia trees can just meet the Light requirenent of erop photosynthesis that will benefit to the groth of crops. Thirdly, these models can inprove the micro-elinate of the fareland, eg., cospared to the farmland without revs, in the Foulown fererops intoreropping land with 4-1d-year-old Paufowaia trees, the wind speed can he decreased by 21-52%, tho soil surface evaporation fs reduced by 17-87%, the air humidity can be increased by 7-118 and the highest or Lowest temperature is decreased or increased hy 6 2-1,2°C, which may increase the conne ty of craps for resisting nntural damages, suchas, drought. sandy wind, dry and hot wind, early or late frost, ate. The experinents showed that the models could increase the yield of the spring ar sunner grain crops by 5-10% in average and cond produce the same yield af cotton compared to their mono-eroyping models, However, intercropping models of pawfovnia with sene autumn crops, such as saybean, saeetpotato, sesame and peanut, the erop yield started to decrease when Jay Jornia trees tains the age of 5-6 years, In the hilly areas of south China, the establishment of the mixed planting models af Poufownia, shrubs and herhs has been identified as a goad solution to improve to the site conditions. For example, the Paulorsia-ten mixed planting model could increase the tatal photasynthesis production per unit area, and could the content af moisture, amino acid, calf ine and vitamin € in the tea leaflets, which say not anly improve the Cunainghania lanceolata tea quality, but also yield Pucfownia timber. Poulomfe-Chinese Curainghawia lanceolata fir mixed plantation provide a better ecological condition to the young trees of Chinese fir mixed plantation. With density of 100 trees per hectare, the Light intensity in the mixed stand was reduced by 54.3%, the evaporation vas increased by ‘4% and the humidity was raised by 6¥, compared 10 the sale Chinese fir plantation, Developsent of Planting Stocks The propagation of Faufoxain ix simpleand easy, e.g., the root, stem, shoot or seed can all be used for propagation with simple methorls. Recently, the propagation methods that are used for large seale product ion of faufomn.a plant ing stoeks is to use the roots of l-2-yenr-eld Paulownia seedlings for rooted cutting devel opment, Under the good combination of advanced propagation techniques and the intensive management on the nursery, the one-year-old Paulownia seedlings could have the height of 4m and root collar diameter of 6 em The key technical points {7 the rooted cutting development methods by using the roats of Paulownia seedlings are as follows Deep plough ing for nursery land preparation with suft ici ent appLivat ion af organic manures, The mursery land should be ploughed in ditches with depth of 40-50 em, and then ridges are mace along the ditches with the bottom width of 75 em, top width of 40 em and height of 20 cm. About 1,20,000 ke - 1,50,00 ke compost or 750 kg of cake fertilizer should be applied per hectares as basic fertilization, The roots of 1-year-old seedlings that developed with the superior Pu lornia Clones should be selected ax the cutting material, The roots «ith diamecer of 1-3 com are taken and eut into pieces with length of 17-18 cn, The root picces should be put exposing to the air for 1-2 days after they ave dug eut, and then inserted into the cutting bed in the greenhouse or with ground warming up eondition for rooting stimlation, When a white spot (growing roat) appears at the bottom end of cutting piece, it should be transplanted inte containers or nursery bed for Further developmest. According to the end use of rooted cuttings, the transplant ing dens! ty should be appropriately planned, The usual spacing betwgen transplanted cuttings on the ridge should be 1,-1.4 m, Since there Ls mich rainfall in south China in springy the plastic film is needed to caver the ridge, or the rooted eutting should be Heveloped in containers, During the early period of seeding growth after transplanting, euch plant can generate ser ial buds. So, all the useless buds should be timely removed, The intensive tending should be given in the nursery, including loosening soil and weeding, in order to ensure the better growth of Paulowniaseedlings without any competition, Though Paulomia requires the site with sufficient moisture and fertility of soil, the water accumilation on the field damages its growth and development. So the timely draining and piling up soil should be done right after heavy rain to pronote the bearing of nex roots. Because Paulomia seedl ing get into fast-growing period around wid June, the addi tional fertilization is needed after every fortnight for 3 months, with each fertilization of 20-25 g per plant of N and 6-8 P. The main disease that damage the Paulownia seedlings are caused by Gloeoporium kavkami and Spliacelorna Paulowiae. They mainly attack the juvenile Leaves, and shoots of Paulomia seedlings. The effective prevention wethod is to spray Bordeaux mixture with 200-250 tines of water. If the witches broom disease is found, the host seedlings should be immediately removed. ‘The seedling development methods by direct sowing of seeds are as follows: The seeds should be col lected from the selected plus trees that grow well and have not been damaged by pests, or from the artificial hybridization of parent trees. Seed treatment for stimulating the germination is needed by soaking seeds in water until they are fully wet, Soaking seeds in water with teuperature of 40°C for 15 minutes results into good germination. Maintaining the moisture of seedlings by watering the beds regularly, and timely weeding and thinning are needed, ‘When seed] ings grow into 5-10 em high, they should be transplanted into the nursery field for further development. The related management-teehniques for the seedling development on the field are similar to thase for the rooted cutting seedling dove lopment. Development of High-Yielding Plantation Based on the investigation, the Fiu/ownta high-yielding plantationin 10 year can attain mean height about 16-20 m, mean DBHl 35-40 cm and its standing volume to 0, mn’, Therefore, Paulownia is highly adopted for developing tinber plantation. According to the grovth characters and ecelogical requirenents of different Faulomia species, the species should be chosen depending on the planting site conditions. In north Clilna, the P.efongasa should be u Paulomia-crops intercropping models and for other planting purposes; while in the ost northern regions, # fomentosa should be used for planting. In the south China, ed for establishing P. fortune’, which has the ost northern regions, P. tomentosa sould be used for planting, In the south China, F, fortune, which has the characters of growing fast, straight stem and wide ecological adaptability, should be mainly used for planting, while in the mountainous areas with elevation of 1,000-1,800, F. fargestii should be used for planting. The qualified planting stock for high-yielding plantation should be 4m in height and 6 cm in DBH, but in the mountainous areas of south China the small seedlings or the germinated seeds can also used for planting in the first ‘year and the coppice regeneration is adopted for plantation establishment by cutting lL stems of one-year-old plantings in the next year. Por planting Pasloynia trees around village, house or along canal and road, the sual blocks of flexible size should he made with spacing of 5 x 6-10 m, The intereropningodels should be made with planting spacing of 5 v 40-30 m for Aauomia trees, while for the sole plantation models, the spacing or Paufomnia should be 5 x 12-20 m. Whatever types of planting models are adopted, the intereropping of crops or other shade-enduring economic plants are always beneficial Fastest Growing Tree in the World ‘hupitwww.paulowniasupply.com/paulownia_shale_ flowering.him Dont wait 15 years for a shade tree to grow. And don't pay hundreds of dollars for ah established tree. Just plant your Empress Tree and stand back. Common first year growth rate of up to 10 feet or more. We have seen many grow 20 feet in one year. Each year after, you can expect about 10 feet of additional growth. A two-year-old tree can offer a great deal of shade, A three-year-old tree offers substantial shade. Eventually your tree can reach 40 to 60 feet. Empress trees are ideal for residential landscaping. I's a deciduous tree, meaning that the leaves shade your home during the hot months, then drop in the Fall, allowing sunlight through when it is most needed, ‘The Empress tree is also a spectacular flowering tree. Typically in the third year of growth, lush, lavender or white blossoms sprout during the spring. These bountiful flowers look like cascading orchids. They also provide a delicate perfume ike aroma. ‘The large leaves and fast growth rate act as giant lungs to scrub the air you breath, Empress trees are one of the best trees available for removing carbon from the air and pollutants from ground water. hutp://vww.paulowniatrees.com/html/photos,btml hutp://www.tropical-living.com/nov/theblinds.htmJust add water and you will be amazed at the fast growth. It resists temperatures down to -10 degrees F “Don't put your face over it or you may get a mouthful of leaves.” Jimmy Carter- Former President and Commercial Empress Tree Grower, discussing the trees fast growth. Your tree comes from “cloned” stock proven to be genetically superior. This process is more expensive than seed but it assures that you will get the hardiest tree, bred for fast growth. variety that thrives in one state may not prosper in anather. This is why we ship you the variety selected to be best for your climate. Your tree will be delivered ready for planting. They can be planted in a cantainer or directly into the ground. Your tree is guaranteed to grow. You have a one year replacement guarantee. Even if your dog digs it up, we will replace it at no charge. (Order now and you will receive our Quick Start Growing Guide as a limited time FREE bonus. In minutes you will discover the tips and tricks that we use to grow Nationally acclaimed trees. Do you have 4 acre or 1,000 acres that you want to produce income from? Paulownia offers an alternative to conventional slow growth Tree Farming. Whether you are a nursery grower, crop farmer, christmas tree grower or land manager - Paulownia can diversify your risk and help maximize the earings potential of your land. Under controlled conditions, Paulownia can be sawn for timber in 7-10 years. It’s a tree you can plant for yourself, not your grandchildren. Paulownia wood is sold at a premium over most other types of lumber. We are confident that this will continue because of its superior properties, New applications for this exciting hardwood are continuously being discovered. Buyers familiar with Paulownia are usually surprised that it's so affordable. Traditionally, old growth paulownia has been among the most expensive woods cut in the United States. Most Japanese homes have at least one article made from Paulownia. They revere this wood for it's beauty and physical properties. Timber scouts have depleted much of the American Paulownia that has grown wild, sending 80% to Japan.7 Year old tree 14.5” DBH (diameter at breast height) Genetic research has helped produce a fast growing Paulownia tree that can generate a massive amount of hardwood lumber in a short period of time. This allows growers to offer the wood at a premium over conventional hardwoods. Buyers are able to purchase the fast growth variety for less than the naturally grown trees that have become scarce. Experts predict that as more fast growing Paulownia wood comes to market, the demand will continue to increase. Large-scale furniture, blind, and plywood manufacturers need abundant wood supplies to justify large production runs. Paulownia is an environmentally sound alternative to wood grown in the Jungles of South America and ald growth forest in the United States. It is a lightweight, strong alternative to expensive balsa wood. It's weather and insect resistance makes it a great altemative to Teak and Western Red Cedar. As a landowner, we recommend that you analyze this business in the most conservative manner possible. We started as growers of Pine trees, which is ‘one of the most abundant types of lumber available. Pine takes 25 years to harvest low value lumber. Paulownia takes 7-10 years to harvest. We looked at the fact that if Paulownia only brought the same price as Pine, it would be a superior investment (given the additional cuttings). But the price per board faot isn't the same; Paulownia has a higher market value. There is also an important consideration of how much time you want to wait in order to see a return on your investment. Why wait up to 30 years, for conventional trees, when you could see cash flow in 7 to 10 years? Once Paulownia is harvested, it grows back from the stump for many generations. The re-grown trees thrive by utilizing the well-developed root systems. Almost all other trees require that the stumps and old roots be bull-dozed after harvest. This is expensive and erosive. Paulownia trees take care and attention, particularly in the first two to three years. They need to be weeded, pruned and occasianally fertilized. If your looking for a hands off venture we don’t recommend that you grow Paulownia. After this initial period the trees require less and less attention.This is a resilient tree that even thrives in sandy and depleted soil. Choose sites that drain well and avoid low lying wetlands. Your normal water table should be at least 4 feet below the ground surface. We offer plantings grown from superior genetic stock proven for hardiness and growth for US climates. Your planting is derived from “cloned” tissue culture from the best trees. This insures that you get trees with the best genetics. There is a significant documented difference between fast growth cloned trees and those grown from seed. Seeds are less expensive to plant than cloned seedlings, but they can be costly in wasted time, effort and disappointment. Our mother trees are selected for being fast growing and hardy. A particular Paulownia variety that thrives in one area of the Country could do poorly in another. This is why we match your trees to your geographical area. To learn more about growing Paulownia commercially, speak to us first. We can provide you with additional helpful information. We will assist you in estimating what your costs will be and provide you with information on what Paulownia wood is selling for. Please feel free to call our offices at 386-671-6495 for more information and a. free sample of Paulownia wood. We also welcome visitors to our Elloree, South Carolina Paulownia Plantation 44 Royal Paulownia Environmental Benefits Paulownia lumber is farmed on tree farms rather than taken from old growth forests, jungles or even rain forest. Much of it is grown on marginal land. Paulownia’s roots go down to 45 feet and help regulate the water table and remove soil salinity. Giant leaves drop each winter, releasing nitrogen and increasing soil fertility. In fact, crops have been grown between the tree rows for centuries in China. Paulownia can even absorb pollutants from waste run off, from hog and chicken growing facilities The giant three-foot leaves and rapid growth rate, act as huge lungs to scrub the air of greenhouse gases and air pollution. They release large amounts of oxygen into the atmosphere. It's been estimated that Paulownia trees clean the ground and water at 3-4 times the rate of most other trees. Paulownia can be planted next to retention ponds, where chicken and hog waste accumulate, to absorb pollutants. Royal Paulownia trees are non-invasive and make productive use of the land they are planted on. They produce sawn timber in 7-10 years and produce 2-4 times more lumber than comparable trees. Paulownia tree farms produce more usable wood from less acreage. After harvesting, a new tree grows back from the stump and uses the same well-established root system. This saves post-harvest clearing costs and land erosion. It also increases the value of the land. New trees can be regenerated from the same stump 5 or more times, giving the plantation a great long-term yield.Products built out of Paulownia wood can be marketed as environmentally friendly. Paulownia is a crop, not an integral part of an established, old forest eco-system. Paulownia wood is naturally insect and moisture resistant. It can be used for outdoor applications without heavy insect and weather treatments required by other wood. Dangerous chemicals such as arsenic can be avoided for playground equipment and outdoor furniture that come into human contact. hitp://plantsdatabase,com/showpicture/?46) hutp://svww.tropaul.com/economic html http://www emilycompost.comlempress_tree.htm hutp://plantsdatabase.com/go/391) http/Awww.portlandparks org/urbanforestry/trees/P ATO.heml hup:/twww.cauky.ecu/agc/pubs/for/fer39/for39.htm FOR-39 PAULOWNIA: A GUIDE TO ESTABLISHMENT AND CULTIVATION ISSUED: 9-89 REVISED: Donald H, Graves; Jeffrey W. Stringer Paulownia (Paulownia tomentosa), or kiri, was introduced into the US during the 1800s. It quickly became naturalized over much of the eastem states. Except for its omamental qualities. it was generally ignored or considered a weed tree. However, since Japanese buyers have be gun to buy US grown logs, Paulownia is now considered a premier timber species. Prices paid for Paulownia logs often exceed those paid for black walnut, recognized as "The King” of the hardwoods. This publication contains specific information for the paulownia grower on site selection, seed collection and storage, planting stock development and early plantation care, A recent publication from the University of Kentucky, Department of Forestry, Paulownia Plantation Management: A Guide to Density Control and Financial Altematives (3) gives specific information on spacing and growif,, characteristies necessary for the production of high quality lo; Site Selection A large portion of the US has soils and climatic conditions favorable for paulownia production. This area lies below the curved line shown in Figure 1 that stretches from southern Maine to the state of Washington, The region having the best combination of growth conditions, for the production of high quality logs, is illustrated by the shaded area, Kentucky and Tennessee lie in the center of this prime production area. Scattered small areas in the north also can produce paulownia, However, growth is usually restricted by inadequate precipitation, cold temperatures, poor soils or combinations of these factors. On the other hand, exiremely fast growth leading to reduced log quality is typical of paulownia grown in the Gulf States. However. growth can be slowed in plantations by maintaining high plantation densities,Since paulownia growers must concentrate much of their effort on planting stock development and seedling care, choosing the proper planting site is often neglected. Much of the paulownia plantation’s success, however, depends on location. While little is known about specific growth potentials for paulownia on US soils, several general criteria can help determine proper plantation location Topography and soil quality are two factors affecting the potential success of paulownia plantations, Sloping land is generally better than poorly-drained flat land, and lower slopes are superior to upper slopes. The best site is a sunny slope facing southeast, In gently rolling topography plantings may be made on all slope positions. In extremely hilly or mountainous topography, little success can be expected on any north facing slope. The site should be relatively well protected from prevailing winds and have a well-drained soil at least 25 inches deep. Generally soils with high clay content should be avoided. Loamy soils (ones having only a moderate clay content ) with a pH of approximately 6.0 are optimum. Production of Planting Stock Planting stock refers to plant material used to establish a plantation, Root stocks or root cuttings are the preferred paulownia planting stocks. Root stocks are the entire root systems of I to 2-year-old seedlings. Root cuttings are 4 to 5 inch sections of roots approximately 1 inch or greater in diameter. With special care and techniques, containerized and bare root seedlings, and direct seeding can also be used successfully. Options may be limited if the grower can not produce his or her own planting stock since few types arc commercially available (normally containerized seedlings ). This, coupled with few local suppliers, provides advantages for growers able to grow their own planting stock. Planting stock is grown in nursery beds established from seed or root cuttings for | or 2 years, after which it is transplanted to the plantation, Seed Collection and Storage Seed for nursery beds must be either bought from a seed warehouse or gathered from local trees. Collecting seeds from local xties provides some assurance that the trees you produce are capable of surviving and growing reasonably well in your area, If possible, collect seed from the best looking trees. Paulownia usually begins to produce seed ‘after 8 or 10 years, There are nearly 3 million seeds per pound. Under favorable conditions a large tree may produce as many as 20 million seeds in one year, Generally the best time for seed collecting is early September. Gather the pods after they ripen but before they open. They should be predominantly brown. After collection allow the pods to air dry, A good way to remove seed from the pods is to put them in burlap bags and gently crush the contents. The seed can be easily separated from the heavier trash by hand or with a blower. Pur the seeds in cold storage at a temperature of 38° to 40° F for maximum longevity. They may be stored dry in sealed containers or stratified between moist layers of a mixture of sand and peat. Stratification seems to reduce the very’ high light requirement that fresh seed exhibit and hence shortens the germination time. Both methods allowyou to store seeds for as long as 4 years before germination declines sharply. For best results, however, use seeds during the first or second year. Nussery Beds Nursery beds can he used to produce bare root seedlings, cuttings, or root stocks which can be used for plantation establishment, While more intensive methods such as greenhouse production are available, nursery beds offer several advantages including affordability proximity to outplanting site, and the opportunity to grow large seedlings for outplanting or for developing large root systems for cuttings. ‘The procedures outlined here arc general guidelines for nurser)., bed production of paulownia planting stock and are essentially the same as those used for tobacco plant beds. Individual situations may necessitate minor changes or additions to these procedures. However, the techniques for germinating the seed should produce adequate results over a wide geographical range; Specific details of this method can be found in A Practical Method for Production of ‘Paulownia tomentosa” (4). Locate nursery beds in areas with good drainage. Since young plants are susceptible to waterlogging and disease. a sandy or loamy soil is helpful in maintaining healthy beds. Soil pH is not critical but should be maintained between 6 and 7.5. Avoid locating beds in frost pockets. Early autumn frosts in these low lying areas will prematurely injure the succulent foliage, shortening the growing season. Extreme winter cold can lead t0 root collar wounding and root-stock mortality. Cultivate the beds in late winter or early spring and cover them with plastic (4 mil) Apply a soil fumigant, like methyl bromide, to kill unwanted seeds, nematodes and fungi harbored in the soil. Many local fertilizer suppliers in the southeast now provide tobacco plant bed fumigation services, simultaneously applying methyl bromide and covering the bed with plastic. After the danger of frost has passed, the gigstic ean be removed. While methyl bromide kills all pests at the time it is applied, it is only effective while the bed is covered with plastic, Therefore incorporate a fungicide (like Captan 50 W ) to a depth of 2to 4 inches to ensure continued control of fungus. Rake the beds to produce arelatively smooth surface, Also apply fertilizer at this time. While detailed fertilizer requirements are not known for paulownia, the following regimen has proved successful in rescarch beds: a slow-release NPK fertilizer such as Osmnacote (14-14-14) at 1 Ib/sq yd, a slow-release micronutrient additive such as Micromax at 4 oz/sq yd, and gypsum and dolomite at 8 oz/sq yd each, In most “fertile” ict adherence to this recommendation may not be critical. if you use a slow release fertilizer, a single application is enough for the entire growing season and should not produce any significant problems during seed germination, Moisten the bed and then seed at about I level tsp/sq yd. Scatter the seed by hand on a windless day. Maintaining a moist environment during germination and initial seedling development is important. The small seeds on the soil surface can support only one attempt at rooting, so the microenvironment surrounding them is critical, Desiceation even for short periods can be fatal during the root's early development. Emerging roots ean dryout even between irrigations during afternoons with high temperatures and low relative humidities. Use a straw mulch or a covering over the bed to maintain adequate moisture. Trials with soil amendments and mulch have had sporadic results, because mulch shifts position and seeds get buried by wind and rain. ‘You can maintain the proper environment, while avoiding problems, by covering the nursery bed with a spunbonded polyester or nylon canvas, commonly called a "tobacco plant bed cover". This covering suspended above the bed lets light (necessary for paulownia seed germination) fier through while alleviating the adverse effects of excess water and wind. The covering disperses incoming water droplets, letting only a fine mist reach the soil surface. It provides a warm, moist and undisturbed environment for germination. Light-weight cotton or cheesecloth ean also be used to cover the beds. but the synthetic material is much less expensive and is readily available Don't let the covering contact the soil because the plants will grow through the cover and you will damage the seedlings when you remove it. To avoid this contact, you can suspend the covering over the soil surface by a series of arched wires placed along the bed's center line; you can attach it to a wooden frame surrounding the plant bed, oF you can spread a very small amount of straw over the soil. Remove the covering when the seedlings are 2 inches tall. Continue watering, keeping the soil moist but not saturated. Proper control of seedling density is critical for producing vigorous planting stock, Wait until the plants average 6 inches tall and then do the first thinning. But don't wait too long. Postponing the thinning leads to small spindly plants. Thinni 2 is necessary for proper seedling growth, but specifie seedling density depends on the type of planting stock being grown. Do the thinning by hand, leaving the most vigorous seedlings intact, At first, thin seedlings to about 100 plants/sq yd. When they are 12 inches highpthin them to 20 to 50 seedlings/sq yd. They normally can be kept at this density {you are producing one-year-old seedlings or root stocks for outplanting the following year, If you plan to develop 2-year-old plants, thin the beds to 10 seedlings/sq yd. At the beginning of fall, reduce the watering schedule and let the plant bed dry between watering. Normally, use either root stocks or root cuttings as planting stock. De not use bareroot seedlings (ie. the entire seedling including the top). In the fall after the leaves have died, prune the main stem at the ground line and discard the tops. Root stocks should overwinter in the beds, covered with an inch or two of a mulch such as sawdust. The next spring you have the fallo ()Ourplant them, ing choices for these rootstocks: (2)Let them grow a second year in the nursery bed, (3)Move them to a transplant bed, However, leave the root stocks in the plant bed until planting time. Plantation Establishment Root Stocks and Root Cuttings Very careful handling is required when planting paulownia rootstocks or cuttings. Roots are fragile and can be easily desiccated or damaged. If you purchase them, follow all the instructions provided by the nursery. Grade the root stocks to eliminate diseaseand root prune them if necessary. If signs of rot are present, you can spray a fungicide on the root stock before packing them in moist sphagnum moss. Apply 50% Captan® fungicide at | tsp/5 gal of water Keep root stocks cool and moist while processing. Bundles of root stocks ean be ‘wrapped with moss in heavy paper or put in cardboard boxes. If you put them in buckets or other containers which hold water, be careful not to let water stand around the roots, Then store them at 35 to 40° F until they are outplanted. While they can be kept in storage for up to 2 months, it is beter (© pull them from the plant beds just before planting. Check the roots periodically for mold and rotting ends if you are going to store them ‘for an extended period. You can get 4 to 5 inch root cuttings from roots greater than 1 inch in diameter. Let the ends of the cuttings air dry before planting. Doing so normally may take | (0 3 days and helps to “seal” the cutting and reduce rot, ‘The actual planting of root stocks and root cuttings ean vary. One good procedure is described by Arnold and Gertner (1) in an Tilinois study using zero till and herbicides. Another, discussed by Beckjord (2), has root stocks planted in a hole where the soil has been loosened in a circle about | ft across. The Japanese use an intensive procedure, digging 3 ft deep hole, 3 ft across, filled from the bottom up with I ft of topsoil, 4 inches of compost and 8 inches of prepared soil. The final 12 inches of the same prepared soil is then carefully packed around the roots. If you cannot use prepared soil, it is essential to pack excavated soil firmly around the roots and fo leave no air spaces in the planting hole. Regardless of the method used, plant a root stock's cut end at ground level, but root cuttings are put | to 2 inches below the surface. Planting on windless, overcast days is always best to avoid root desiccation. Initial irrigation may improve survival in the first month after planting if the soil dries. Direet Seeding Bare soil, sufficient moisture and direct sunlight are required for seed germination. Fresh, unstratified seed may require up to 150 hours of light for germination. For this reason, field germination may take as long as 2 weeks. Because of their small size and high light requirement, seeds should be surface-sown and mulched with a material that light can penetrate. Paulownia should be hydre seeded at a rate of 1/2 Ib or more with a mixture of less than 800 Ibvacre of wood fiber mulch. However, attempt hydro seeding only on an area completely bare of vegetation that has been treated with a moisture-retaining mulch like processed hardwood bark. Apply at least 45 cu yd/acre of hardwood bark, Frequent light watering protects the seed from desiccation. Delay establishing ground cover until after the paulownia seedlings become established and can compete with other vegetation. The time necessary for seedlings to become established varies from a minimum of 2 years up to 5 or more. During that time, control encroaching vegetation by mowing or by applying herbicides near the plants, Containerized SeedlingsContainerized seedlings are plants growing in a container of growing medium that can be directly outplanted to the field. The growing medium furnishes nutrients and moisture to the plant during early development. Several commercial nurseries produce such planting stock. However, you can produce your own. Choose a suitable, iodegradable container and fill it with a mixture of sand, vermiculite and peat moss. Put a pinch of seed on top of the planting medium. Cover the seeds with a patch of cheese cloth or tobacco plant bed net to hold them in place Water them enough to keep them moist but not saturated. As the seeds begin to grow, remove the cheese cloth and thin them until you only have one per container. Seeds can also be germinated in a flat and the seedlings carefully transplanted to containers when they are 1/2 inch tall When the seedlings are 10 to 14 inches tall, they are ready for outplanting. Because of their succulent nature, paulownia seedlings should be well hardened before outplanting. To-do so, either plant them when they arc dormant or let therm sit im a shacly, moderately protected area for 3 to 5 days before planting. Larger seedlings are prone to wind damage. Do not plant containerized seedlings until well after the last killing frost date. Do the actual planting on a vegetatively bare area with either a tile shovel or backpack auger. Make a hole slightly deeper than the container. Insert the container and then fill the area around it tightly with the removed soil. If the area being planted has a stand of existing vegetation, treat it with a herbicide like Roundup® before planting. For best results use a 2 ft square, 2” X 4" frame, Put processed bark around each seedling for moisture and for protection against vegetation encroachment (Figure 3). Do not leave the frame around the mulch. Ciutivation Methods You must cultivate paulownia intensively during the early years if itis to produce high quality logs. No matter how you establish them, the trees need competition control for at least the first several years. To do so, mechanically remove vegetation at least 3 ft from around the seedling's base. Herbicides can also be effective. Consult with your local forester, county agent or other qualified professional on the proper use of herbicides in your plantation. Unattended plantation trees generally are poorly formed and do not normally develop a bole of sufficient length and form for high grade logs. Therefore. pay special attention to coppicing and pruning paulownia seedlings. After one to three years in the plantation, the root system has had time to develop and you must cut the tees just above the ground line. During the root system's development, do not be concemed with the tree's form and do not branch or top prune. Cutting the tree at the bole and removing the tree's aboveground portion promotes resprouting that yields tall, equal sized trunks on all the plantation’s trees. This situation is preferable to having seedlings varying in height or poorly formed. These tall, straight sprouts, often attaining heights of 8 to 16 fi, are also easier to prune than I- to 3-year-old seedlings which are the same height. If possible, cut the bole with a slight slant to the south. Make the cut smooth and treat it with lime water. When the tree begins to sprout, remove all but the most vigoroussprout when they are about 6 inches tall. When choosing equally vigorous sprouts, keep. the one furthest from the stump. You can safely leave two equally vigorous sprouts if ‘you remove one the next year. Figure 4 shows what can happen if the sprout selected is just adjacent to the old stump. As the sprout grows, much of the new tissue develops over the old stump which can lead to rot and a weak stem. The sprout in Figure 5 is better because it allows more development adjacent to the stump rather than on top of it “The best methods illustrated in Figure 6: Carefully remove the soil from the stump’s roots after the bole has been severed. Strip the bark from the roots about 6 inches from the stump and cover it with the exeavated soil. Several sprouts should develop beyond the stripped areas. Leave one vigorous sprout and remove all others. Fill around this sprout with fertile soil or muleh, This method can also be used fo regenerate the plantation afier it has been harvested. The old stump may be removed later if desited. If left to grow without intensive cultural operations, paulownia tend to develop branches that spread on all sides and most likely will have a bent trunk. To avoid that tendency much training and trimming is required during the early years Paulownia culture in Japan presently recognizes 4 basic tree configurations suitable for plantation grown trees (see Figure 7). The preferred “one step” method produces a long, single stem before the first limbs and the slow growth necessary for high quality logs. For the “one step” method remove the buds from the joint of the leaf stalk and the bole 1es during the first year after resprouting, before they become woody (Figure 8). Leave only a few well developed buds at the top for the next year’s growth. Figure 9 shows the new growth’s beginning as it would occur from buds left directly below the top. Keep removing buds until the tree is the height you desire. While this method of pruning is different from the branch pruning normally used in the US, it is the method of choice in the Orient and could be used quite effectively in the US as well The "two step" method produces 2 short logs, one below andl one above the first limbs. ‘The "2 fork" method produces one short log before the fork, Both methods yield faster growing, short logs usually lower grade than those produced by the "one step" method. ‘Two step trees are produced similarly to one step trees exept that they retain their buds. Tio 10 ft above the ground. ‘The "3 fork" method produces only one short, low grade log. However, it is used when the area being planted is subject to strong winds. Since it also affords the greatest protection against sunscald, you can use it for planting west slopes subject to strong, afternoon sun. Selecting one or a combination of growth configurations depends on the paulownia grower’s goals and the plantation's topographic conditions, Use the "one step" method on optimal southeast slope sites not adversely affected by wind or sun, A plantation high on a west slope probably requires the use of the "3 fork” method, Use the other ites between the two extremes, Beckjord (2) suggests that paulownia growers use either the “one step” or the “two step” method. Sun scald problems can be several t methods onovercome by either wrapping the stem with paper or painting the south Facing part of the trunk with white latex paint applied with a long handled paint roller. Early wind throw problems could be minimized by using landscape anchor wires. Summary Producing plantation-grown paulownia is a relatively new enterprise in the US. The only existing markets are in Japan. Much uncertainty exists concerning its growth characteristics on a wide variety of soils and climatic conditions, However, intensive cultural practices in the early years and proper density control through planned thinnings can yield very high returns for the serious producer. ‘To be a Successful Paulownia Producer 1 Select your planting site carefully 2.Prochuce or acquire high quality planting stock 3.Ensure that the planting is done correctly. 4.Maintain competition control for a least 3 years. 5.Follow the recommended coppicing and pruning procedures. GReter to "Paulownia Plantation Management: a guide to density control and financial alternatives" for formation on plantation density control. ‘7.Work with your forester for technical help. Bibliography 1.Amold, Lester E. and George Z. Gertner, 1988. Establishing Zero-till Paulownia In Permanent Pastures With Delayed Herbicide Applications. Forestry Research Report. Dopt. of Forestry, Agriculture Experiment Station, Univ. of Illinois, 2.Beckiord, Peter R., 1984, Paulownia TomentOsa: A Brief Guide For The Tree Farmer, MP984. Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station. Univ. of Maryland. 3.Graves, Donald H., 1989, Paulownia Plantation Management: A Guide To Density Control and Financial Alternatives. Forestry Extension Series. No, 1, College of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, Univ. of Kentucky. 4Stringer, Jeffrey W., 1986. A Practical Method For Production Of Paulownia Tomentosa. Tree Planters Notes. Spring 1986, pp. 8-11 About the Authors Don Grawes has been in UK's Department of Forestry since 1964. Specializing in revegetation systems and surface mine reclamation, he has been working with paulownia since about 1975. During those years he has conducted field tests of paulownia on surface mine sites, in nurseries and other places. He has studied seed storage problems, direct seeding techniques, greenhouse methods. etc. He has worked directly with growers in Maryland and is in touch with people all over the US who grow paulownia, Jeff Stringer spec involvement in paulownia research since 1982 has included developing techniques for ination and seedling production and determining drying properties of paulownia izes in hardwood silviculture in UK's Department of Forestry. Hislumber. He has helped landowners in Kentucky and the southeast produce paulownia seedlings for plantation culture. Royal Paulownia Tree - Roots of Gold? Facts About Planting, Growing and Marketing the Empress Tree ‘There are some compelling reasons to plant Paulownia, It most definitely is a tree with soil, water, and nutrient retaining properties, It can be made into forest products, At first blush it makes sense to plant Paulownia, watch it grow, improve the environment, and make a fortune at the end of ten to twelve years...but is it that simple? ‘Here is the hype: Paulownia is a ight, air curable wood, that does not warp, twist, or crack; The tree is fire resistant sand water repellent Paulownia can be sold for pulp, paper, poles, constru dollar, Paulownia can be com jon material, plywood, and furniture, at top nercially harvested in five to Seven years. ‘Paulownia is a beautiful tree and is easily propagated trom root cuttings. Paulownia is nitrogen rich and makes an excellent livestock fodder and soil amending mulching, material. Teall of these statements are true - it would be a good deed to plant the tree. I would, in tact be a grievous error for you not to plant the tree. Great for the environment, great for shade, great for soil, great for water quality, great for beauty, Fact is, [have made up my mind to purchase a few for my property, But is it economically sound to plant Paulownia over large areas?” Are Paulownia Plantations Economically Practical? |A recent discussion on a favorite forestry listserv group was “are Paulownia plantations Gordon J. Esplin writes " promoters of Paulownia plantations are claiming incredible growth (4 years to 60', 16” at breast height) and value (cg $800/cubic meter) for Paulownia trees. This seems to be too good to be true. Are there any independent, scientific studies on the species?" James Lawrence of Toad Gully Growers, a Paulownia propagation company in Australia sums it up completely. "There has, unfortunately, been much over-hyped promotion of Paulownia. It is tue, however, that under the right conditions, Paulownia produces valuable timber in a shorter time frame...” Lawrence goes on to say that it usually takes from 10 to 12 years to achieve a size economical to mill and is ‘not construction strong enough to be used as building material. "It is most likely to find its place in moldings, doors, window frames, veneers, and furniture,” He further says that trees in the "cooler regions of Australia may be more slowly grown and consequently of higher timber quality - close growth rings are desired for furniture ~ than those grown in warmer climates; however, the higher rate of erop rotation in the ‘warmer zones should compensate for any lower returns per m3." Lawrence justindicated, at least to me, that we need to take a deep breath and grow the tree slower for optimum quality. And what about a little thing called market? Remembering that the top three things that effect the value of any real property is “location, location, location” - I would suggest that the top three things that effect the value of standing timber price is "market, market, market,” Paulownia is no different from any other tree in this regard and you need to find a market before planting...and I have found no support for & market on the Internet. Further, the literature suggests that the present US market is extremely under-developed and one source actually suggested that there is "no present market”. The future of this tree depends on a future market. I did run across a credible reference to price, Mississippi State University indicates in a report on "Unique Species and Uses” that Paulownia logs "have been found growing im the Mississippi Delta and south along the Mississippi River. Paulownia logs have been in high cemand in Japan and bring excellent prices (my emphasis) to landowners in Mississippi." Thave yet to find that buying source Also, there are risks associated with any tree planting venture, Paulownia is no different. It is sensitive to drought, root rot, and diseases. There is also the economic risk of producing a tree with little future economic value, hupslwweea.uky eclulage/pubs!toritor39/fox39.hem Are Paulownia for mePaulownia are attracting the interest of a wide range of individuals from small to large farmers, new rural land owners to city investors, small business people to corporations. What do you need to successfully grow your future with Paulownia ? Commitment: there is no point entering a new industry half-hearted, Whatever the size of your project be sure to commit the necessary funds and time fo do it properly and get things right first time. It generally costs between $6000 to $10,000 per hectare in the first year to establish a 400 sterm/ha. irrigated Paulownia plantation in Australia, with a further $2000 - $3000 per year for the next 2 years, dropping back to well under $1000 ongoing costs per year in the following years. Don’t over extend yourself. If you lack confidence or resources then by all means start with a small trial plantation. It’s better to have a small success than a big failure. Land: the most important things to consider when selecting a site for a Paulownia plantation are good drainage, sunny aspect, preferably with protection from severe wind, and proximity to a target market or port. If you don’t have your own land but wish to invest in Paulownia, contact us as we may be able to help you with a land lease and plantation management program, In the state of Victoria, Australia, landmark forestry legislation has made it possible for forestry investors to own trees on other people’s land with the security that even if the land is sold the trees remain theirs, Water & fertiliser: established Paulownia trees will survive harsh conditions, but they go into dormancy during droughts. To be commercially viable a Paulownia plantation needs reliable summer rainfall or irrigation during the growing season in conjunction with a well planned and maintained fertiliser programme. Long term vision; the bulk of the investment, both in terms of money and work, is undertaken during the first 3 years when the establishment and most pruning is completed. However, ongoing management, such as slashing between rows, may be required right up to harvest. Plantation inspections are essential - good observation, common sense judgement and timely action are keys for a successful May: the 6 month old Paulownia on the left will be cut off at ground level in July to acheive over 4 metres growth during the next season, as shown by the trees on the right, planted | year earlier, Note the high mounding of the soil for better growthhitps//www, paul ownia,com/establish,himl hitp:/www.toadeully,com.au/thebasics.php