Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Some Interesting Facts On Paulownia Trees

By Harriett Crosby


In the world today, about 17 different species of Paulownia trees have been identified. The main types seen include P. Catalpifolia, P. Glabrata, P. Australis and P.elongata. Most of these species have historically been known to grow in the Asian countries of Vietnam, China and Laos. Many other countries in this region including Japan and Korea have been growing them for many centuries.

Trees in this genus are deciduous. They grow to a height of about 50 feet on average when mature. They typically flower in the season of spring and are usually vulnerable to attacks by caterpillars at this time. Spraying with insecticides helps control the resultant damage. Fruits are dry and capsulated with tiny seeds.

These plants have a huge advantage in that they can be cultivated in virtually any soil type. They prefer areas with a low water table and thus can survive in very harsh climatic conditions. The major requirement is adequate sunlight throughout the period of growth. The use of fertilizer may help in improving yields.

There are numerous uses for these plants that have been identified. Commonly, they are very useful for reforestation activities in areas that have been subjected to degradation. They have a great ability to quickly regenerate and restore forest cover in affected areas. The ecological environment is also greatly conserved. The possibility of intercropping with other plants helps in controlling soil erosion.

The rapid growth rate makes them suitable for production of hardwood timber on a large scale. A number of species can be harvested in as little as 5 years. There is no need to plant new seedlings after harvesting. New trees are instead allowed to regenerate from the existing root systems. The timber that is harvested is pale, whitish in colour and has a straight grain. Other varieties may be silver grey, brown or red. The timber is very popular for various uses because it is resistant to rot and has a high ignition point.

A species known as Paulwnia fortunei has been shown to be the fastest growing. This makes it a preferred choice for wood production on a commercial basis. Experts have been extensively involved in its growth and production for years now. It has apical dominance over all the other species of the genus which means that it can achieve very great heights. It can adapt to very harsh climatic conditions.

If you intend to grow trees in this genus for timber, you must ensure that they grow straight and long in their first season. The land that is set aside for this exercise is typically ripped deeply and has to be ploughed in a rotatory manner. Raising the beds is not a must but comes with some advantages. For instance, it improves the drainage, the soil depth and warmth in spring. Seedlings are usually planted directly into the plots about 1 metre apart. The best time for planting is between October and November.

One of the oldest uses for paulownia trees is in the making of musical instruments. The wood from these trees makes very good resonators. They are still widely used for a similar function today. Electric guitars made from the wood are very affordable.




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