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.

China has traditionally been the largest producers of these trees but population pressure has cut into the growth areas. America has adopted this tree as a cash crop that can be grown quickly and exported to international markets. Tree farms are being established as far north as Ohio.

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.

With deep sturdy root systems and fast growth this species is considered very hardy in temperate zones. In areas where frost and ice are an issue a special seed base has been developed to ensure survival to maturity. Weak branches are a problem with this tree. They tend to break easily in high winds and can cause property damage and other hazardous situations.

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 tree shows great promise as a new source of revenue for North America. The fast growth and easy propagation has opened markets abroad as well as at home. There is already a growing export market to Japan for cut trees that will be made into furniture and toys for that nation. There are also markets in North America for live trees as well as for cut wood to be used for manufacturing and other domestic uses.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment

 

Holidays Copyright © 2011-2012 | Powered by Blogger