Friday, January 3, 2014

Describing The Royal Paulownia Tree

By Harriett Crosby


The royal paulownia tree is an ancient Chinese tree that was named for Anna Paulownia, wife of King Willem of the Netherlands. It is known for the large blossoms and fragrant aroma that can be enjoyed from early spring to mid-summer. It is highly prized in Japan for its hardwood and has traditional value also.

When a Japanese family has a daughter they plant one of these trees. When the daughter gets married the tree is cut and used to make her wedding chest. It is also believed that if planted close to the house it will bring good fortune. Nearly every household in Japan has at least one item of furniture made from the wood of this tree.

American growers have began developing markets for these trees nationally and abroad. China is by far the largest producer of these trees and introduced them to North America as an ornamental for nursery sales and yard decoration. The saplings can grow as much as eighteen feet in a single year. Numerous tree farms have sprung up nationwide supplying various markets.

Americans have also accepted the species as a nursery item. The promise of fast growth and large decorative blossoms make them a popular item for yards and parks. The leaves are also beneficial for industrial countries. Because of the fur like nature of them they attract and hold smog particles as well as dust and smoke.

The seed pods of this tree can produce thousands of seeds every year. There is some concern about it breaking out into the wild and becoming a weed tree. It propagates itself very easily in areas that have been disturbed by fire or landslides. They grow very well on hill sides that are moist and sunny. They have zero shade tolerance and will not grow in the shade of other trees.

They are very hardy in temperate zones and a seed base has been developed for colder areas that will with stand frost and snow. One of the issues with this tree is the branches tend to break in high winds. This creates a hazard for anything underneath from falling branches and makes a mess to be taken care of around the base of the trunk.

This hardwood is very popular for furniture making and in marine industries in Japan. It has the capacity to remove large quantities of nitrates from soil and use them for growth. It helps to prevent the erosion of soil because of the extensive root system it has. The leaves are also used. They have some medicinal value in that they are very good cleansers and are reputed to help with the growth of hair and with healing skin ailments.

The royal paulownia is making inroads in North America as a cash crop as well as an ornamental tree for large yards. It's ability to adapt to new soil and hardiness that protects it from drought and fires make it a viable product for export as well as use by manufacturers in the East. It is the source of many fine items that contribute to the economy of more than a few nations worldwide.




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