Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Benefits Of Growing 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 relatively short growing season makes this genus highly commercially viable for hardwood production. Most species mature within five years and therefore tend to have very good returns. They have a major advantage of not requiring the planting of other seedlings upon harvesting. New plants are instead left to regenerate from the existing roots. The timber harvested is pale, whitish and consists of a straight grain. It is demanded highly due to its relatively high ignition point and rot resistance.

Paulwnia fortunei is one of the fastest growing species. It is preferred for the commercial production of wood. The species has been at the centre of research activities since the late 80s. Studies of this species have shown that is bears apical dominance over the other species. It is also adapted to survive in a wide range of climatic conditions and soil types.

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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