Saturday, 28 December 2013

Regarding The Royal Paulownia Tree

By Harriett Crosby


The royal paulownia tree is originally from China and was named in honor of Anna Paulownia by her husband King Willem of the Netherlands. Easily propagated, it is famous for the large, fragrant blossoms it produces throughout the summer months and large fuzzy leaves. The Japanese people highly regard this tree for traditional and economic reasons.

When a daughter is born to a Japanese family they plant one of these trees for her. When she gets married the tree is cut down to create her wedding chest. Another legend says that if the tree is planted close to the house a phoenix will pass near and good fortune follows. You can find at least one item of furniture from this tree in nearly every Japanese home.

The Chinese are the biggest producers of this tree but it has taken hold in American markets as well. The amazing growth of this tree makes it a valuable asset. It can grow up from a sapling to eighteen feet tall in one year's time. Tree farms are becoming very popular for harvesting and sale to Japan for processing into furniture and toys.

Nature's design of the leaves creates a natural pollutant inhibitor. They are large and have a fur like surface. This causes them to gather and hold smoke, dust, and smog from the air surrounding them. To this goal they are planted in mass quantities in major industrial areas in China and America.

Propagation of this tree can occur naturally through rain water or wind carriage. Some authorities worry that because there are millions of seeds produced each year from one specimen it will become a nuisance plant. It easily takes hold in areas that have been devastated by fire or flooding and thrives on hill sides and at the edge of forests. They have a very deep and sturdy root system but will not grow in shady areas.

Planting one close to your home is not a good idea. The branches of the tree tend to bend and break easily in strong winds. The breakage causes hazards to property and people and even if the tree stands alone it will create a mess in the trunk area. This species is very hardy in temperate growth areas but is sensitive to frost and ice. A frost resistant seed base has been developed for the colder areas where it is grown.

The wood of this tree serves well as a resource for surf boards and many nautical items. It also serves as a natural hardwood for warming homes during winter months. The Chinese have developed medicinal uses for the leaves as well. The processed leaf is used as a hair restoration ointment, for skin ailments and wound cleansing. It works especially well for cleansing infected ulcers.

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.




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