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.
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.
There is a market for them in nurseries also. The wide, fuzzy leaves and fragrant flowers make them very popular with home owners. The leaves are good for the environment too. The texture of the leaf attracts and holds dust, smog and smoke making it very useful for industrial areas.
One mature tree can produce millions of seeds that can germinate easily in moist, well drained soil. Environmentalists have some concerns that it will become uncontrolled and turn into a weed tree taking over from the natural trees in areas where there has been a fire or the land has been disturbed. These plants sprout easily on hillsides and near forests.
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.
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.
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.
There is a market for them in nurseries also. The wide, fuzzy leaves and fragrant flowers make them very popular with home owners. The leaves are good for the environment too. The texture of the leaf attracts and holds dust, smog and smoke making it very useful for industrial areas.
One mature tree can produce millions of seeds that can germinate easily in moist, well drained soil. Environmentalists have some concerns that it will become uncontrolled and turn into a weed tree taking over from the natural trees in areas where there has been a fire or the land has been disturbed. These plants sprout easily on hillsides and near forests.
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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