Most people often admire things made of wood. Whether it’s furniture, decoration for your living room, or even the floors and ceilings for your beautiful home, you can never go wrong when you choose to use wood. It gives a unique and classy outcome; hence, it never goes out of style.Sandalwood is the second-most expensive wood in the world and is widely used in the cosmetic industry, especially in perfumes. Sandalwood oil is sought after because of its soft, creamy, and long-lasting scent that it produces.
Purple Heart wood, otherwise known as Amaranth, extensively grows in some parts of Central America. It is somehow rare, very durable, and resists both decay and most insect attacks, which is partly the reason why it is expensive. It is also water-resistant which is why it is often used on boat deckings and flooring.
Dalbergia is a durable, sturdy, highly dense, and rare wood. It is typically used to make sports goods and high-quality furniture. What makes it so expensive is because it is complicated to work with. Its sawdust can be poisonous to people; that’s why some are refusing to work with a Dalbergia wood.
Vintage & Specialty Wood should be your source of the highest quality timbers from around the world. When it comes to fabricating and installing reclaimed wood or specialty wood products in your home, we don’t cut corners. We offer many reclaimed wood and specialty wood products such as Douglas Fir, white oak, and much more. We also offer timber framing and wood flooring services as well. Contact our team today to speak to a timber expert about what Vintage & Specialty Wood can do for you.Bocote is widely known for producing exquisite pieces of furniture and beautiful floorings. With its amazing zebra-like contrasts and bold figuring, this wood surely gives an eye-catching look to your decors at home. (Related: The Amazing Benefits of Olive Oil on Wood)
But as expensive as it may seem, African Blackwood is worth the price. It is more stable and resistant to warping and is rated as very durable when it comes to decay resistance.Judy Ponio is a professional writer for the Vintage & Specialty Wood website blog. Her passion for carpentry and wood working coupled with her commitment to fact based blogging has helped her articles help millions of people over the years.The price of a wood depends on its durability, resistance, how complicated it is to work with, and, most importantly, how rare the wood is. The more unusual the tree, the higher the price will be.Pink Ivory, also known as Red Ivory, is an African wood that grows in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, South Africa. Most pink ivory woods are used to make billiard cues, knife handles, and sometimes for medicinal purposes. Because of its incredibly high wood density, it is very durable and highly resistant to decay.
While Pink Ivory is relatively common in some parts of South Africa, some people claim that it is “rarer than diamonds,” which is one of the reasons why it is expensive.
Agarwood is famous for the tea, oil, and perfume that it produces. It’s hefty price tag is thanks to its incredibly high demand and extreme rarity – it’s one of the rarest trees in the world.
While Bubinga is a wood that is easy to work with, it is famous for producing high-quality furniture and high-quality tools, which makes it costly. It is also very durable that it is known to be resistant to termites and marine borer attacks. (Related: Buckled Wood Floors: Causes and Fixes)
Lignum Vitae, the national tree of the Bahamas, is the most cumbersome and most laborious wood in the world. Even the world’s first nuclear-powered submarine had its bearings made out of this wood. It also contains natural oils that make the bearings self-lubricating, which makes it an excellent wear-resistance.Unfortunately, the production of Sandalwood has decreased while the demand continues to increase. It is on its way to becoming extinct, and that’s what makes Sandalwood so expensive. African Blackwood is one of the hardest and densest wood in the world and is mostly used for musical instruments. It is considered as the most expensive wood in the world because not only it is challenging to work with hand or machine tools, its trees are already near-threatened. But the main reason why it is costly is because of its uniqueness. Purple Heart is actually brown. But when the tree is cut down and exposed to UV light, the wood then changes its color to purple. Not just that, Purple Heart is exceptionally challenging to work with because it exudes resin when heated with dull tools which can clog the machine.But you might have wondered why some things that are made of wood are quite costly while some are not. Well, it’s because there are different types of wood, and the value of wood depends on several factors.
Paulownia can be used as a raw material for the production of firewood for heating houses, greenhouses, etc., pellets and bioethanol. When growing Paulownia for firewood for heating, a plot of 10,000 square meters (1 Hectare) should be planted with up to 1,000 trees. (1 Ha) it is necessary to plant up to 1000 trees, with a spacing of 1 x1 m. A minimum of 4 stems are stimulated from each tree and thus the plantation for biomass consists of actually 10,000 stems (trees).
Paulownia is also grown as a honeybee tree Paulownia has many flowers rich in nectar, and the honey produced from them is light, transparent, very light and fragrant. In color and consistency, it can only be compared to acacia honey. In addition as a delicacy, Paulownia honey is used as a medicine, it is especially useful for diseases of the upper respiratory tract, lungs and digestive tract. Buy Paulownia seedlings for honeydew.Paulownia is the tree with the highest growth rate in the world, because in a short period of time (5-8 years) in optimal conditions it can reach 10-13 meters in height and get 0.5-0.8 m³ of business wood from one tree.
Is Paulownia eco friendly?
Paulownia lumber has amazing benefits sought by the sustainable lumber industry. Paulownia is the best option for eco-friendly sustainable hardwood manufacturing.
Growing in Phoenix: The paulownia has a majestic striking presence in any garden. It is also known as an Empress tree. This tree is native to Central and West China. The tree produces a mass of flowers of lilac-blue. The interior throat of the flower has darker blue spots and streaks of yellow. They resemble foxgloves. They smell like vanilla and are an absolute thrill for the senses when in bloom. This is a fast-growing tree, it can grow 8-10ft in a year. It is a beautiful and functional shade option tree and does well in full sun. It is deciduous, expect it to die back almost completely the first winter. No winter protection is needed.Due to its rapid growth rate and biomass production capabilities, Paulownia is an excellent choice for generating renewable energy. Its cultivation can contribute to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and help mitigate the effects of climate change. Furthermore, biomass from Paulownia Empress trees can be utilized in various applications such as bioenergy production, biofuels, and bioproducts, creating a sustainable and economically viable solution for both the environment and the industry.When planting paulownia, choose a relatively flat site with good drainage, as the tree does not thrive in flood plains or low valleys where water can accumulate. Sandy loam is the best soil type for paulownia. To enrich the soil with nitrogen, consider planting a bean crop, such as soy, a year before planting the trees. Till and disk the land in parallel rows before planting. For biomass production, space the trees 5 feet apart in rows 15 feet on-center to accommodate mechanized harvesters. Explosive growth rates can be attained with heavy watering and periodic applications of fertilizer. Terminal growth of 10 feet per year is not uncommon in ideal conditions. An annual branch trimming regime should be adopted to maximize the value and profitability of the plantation. Hire us to build a turnkey Crop Circle Paulownia Plantation on your land anywhere in the world. Our team will travel to your location and layout the plantation, using our aerial drone mapping system to mark out the spots where the empress trees are to be planted and make a perfect spiral, which is essential to g achieve faster tree growth.
With the diminishing supply of natural habitat trees, the market for plantation-grown paulownia is expanding rapidly. An estimated 6 million acres are already under cultivation outside Asia, and timber marketers predict it will take decades to meet the growing demand for biomass paulownia empress trees. Biomass paulownia can grow an astonishing 10 feet tall in just the first season, reaching heights of 60 feet in less than 10 years. Paulownia clones, bred from the best tree stock through a process known as tissue cultivation, are specifically available for biomass tree plantations.
Coppicing is a traditional forestry technique involving cutting trees or shrubs down to ground level and allowing them to regrow from the cut stumps. Paulownia trees are well-adapted to coppicing and can regrow quickly and vigorously from cut stumps. The following are some key characteristics of coppiced Paulownia:Often referred to as the wonder tree, paulownia can help save our rainforests. With a harvest time of just 10 years, its wood is as lightweight as balsa yet as strong as hardwoods. The wood features an appealing grain and is a sustainable product with versatile uses. Hollow wood surfboard builders, among others, are willing to pay a premium for this wood. In fact, the going rate is around $10-11 per board foot.
Paulownia timber can be sliced or peeled more finely than other types of wood while maintaining its structural integrity. In Taiwan, sawlogs are sliced to 1/1000 inch and veneered onto paper for decorative purposes. Paulownia veneer is also employed to face composite timber products, enhancing their aesthetic appeal. As most high-quality veneer timbers become increasingly scarce and costly, paulownia presents itself as a practical alternative. Veneer wood represents the highest value end use for this tree species.
Cloning helps ensure consistency and predictability in terms of growth rate, yield, and other characteristics. However, maintaining genetic diversity within a planting population is crucial for resilience against diseases and environmental stressors. As a result, it is recommended to plant a mix of cloned and non-cloned trees in any planting project.The rapid growth of paulownia trees presents both advantages and drawbacks. For plantation managers, profits can be realized more quickly on smaller plots of land. However, the trees produce a large number of seeds that can spread far and wide by wind, water, and animals, potentially causing them to become an invasive species that overgrows natural habitats.
Paulownia Empress Trees thrive in temperate and subtropical regions with warm, moist summers and mild winters. They commonly grow along riverbanks, in open woodlands, and in disturbed areas such as abandoned fields and roadways.Paulownia tomentosa and elongata clones are genetically identical individuals propagated from these two species through cloning. The cloning process involves taking cuttings or tissue samples from a parent tree and creating new, genetically identical individuals.
Paulownia wood, derived from the Paulownia tree, is an exceptional lightweight, fast-growing, and highly versatile timber. It is widely used in various industries and applications such as furniture, cabinetry, construction, crafts, and musical instruments. Here are some of the key characteristics and properties that make Paulownia wood stand out:
Working with paulownia wood, one can truly appreciate its many positive qualities. The wood is rot-resistant and unappealing to termites. It dries quickly and easily with minimal defects, such as light sticker stains when not laid with dry stickers. Paulownia wood is excellent for paneling and has gained popularity in carving due to its smooth finish. It also machines and glues well. However, when harvesting the tree, it is important to remove the stump to prevent regrowth, as the roots can cause damage to structures like driveways.Native to China, Paulownia, also known as an Empress tree, is an incredibly fast-growing tree. It holds the number one spot as a plantation tree throughout Asia, similar to the Loblolly Pine in the United States and Eucalyptus in Australia. The heartwood is light in color, resembling American Ash in appearance. The demarcation between heartwood and sapwood is not as distinct as most hardwoods because it is technically a softwood. Like other softwoods, Paulownia wood is straight-grained and lightweight. Its low strength rating, somewhere between balsa and poplar, disqualifies paulownia as a candidate for timber production. However, paulownia is ideal for biomass, despite its low BTU rating.
Through scheduled pruning, paulownia trees can yield straight, cylindrical poles without side branches or deformities, reaching 18 feet in height and 10-12 inches in thickness. These lightweight yet rigid poles do not sag under heavy loads, making them ideal for construction purposes. In Asia, 4-year-old paulownia tree plantations produce pole wood that is used for roof ridge poles and rafters, supporting concrete and clay-tiled roofs. According to villagers, these poles demonstrate greater strength and less sagging compared to traditional conifer poles used in older homes built decades ago.
Cloning can effectively produce large quantities of trees with desirable traits, such as disease resistance, rapid growth, or high timber yield. Paulownia tomentosa and elongata clones are often used in commercial timber production, reforestation projects, and for ornamental purposes.Paulownia wood is an excellent choice for moldings, as it is easy to tool, lightweight, strong, and achieves a fine finish. Its unique properties make it well-suited for various molding applications in construction and interior design.
Both Paulownia tomentosa and elongata are fast-growing trees that can reach maturity quickly, making them ideal for reforestation and afforestation projects. Their high-quality timber, lightweight, strong, and durable, is highly valued.
Paulownia wood is a highly prized and sought-after timber that offers a unique combination of strength, stability, and sustainability. Its versatility and attractive appearance make it a popular choice for a wide range of applications, from high-end furniture and cabinetry to sustainable building materials and artisan crafts. By opting for Paulownia wood, you’re not only choosing a high-quality material but also contributing to a greener, more sustainable future.
Which wood is most costly in the world?
THE MOST EXPENSIVE WOOD IN THE WORLDGrenadil, African Blackwood. This wood is one of the most expensive on the planet. … Agar Wood. Agar wood is a valuable plant found in tropical forests of Southeast Asia. … Black wood (Ebony) … Sandalwood. … Amaranth, Purple Heart. … Dalbergia. … Bubinga. … Bocote, Cordia (Bocote, Cordia)
Crop Circle tree plantations grow Paulownia Empress trees 20% faster than parallel rowed paulownia plantations. The geometric form of the Crop Circle creates elongates the cellular structure of the tree increasing tree height without affecting wood quality or density. Tree harvesting and regrow cycles can be reduced by at least a year. Paulownia, commonly known as the Empress tree or Princess tree, is a fast-growing deciduous tree native to China, Korea, and Japan. Highly valued for its ornamental features, timber, and medicinal properties, Paulownia has been cultivated in various regions worldwide. As a pulp tree, the empress tree may be a viable option for the paper industry due to its potential for fast cycle, repeatable 5-year harvests. After harvest, stumps regrow new trees, often tripling tree density and profit from the initial harvest. The same root system can generate new harvests indefinitely, making it a sustainable resource.Tree size and economic value are closely linked when it comes to paulownia. Early limb pruning not only reduces the risk of blister rust in juvenile trees but also initiates the formation of clear boles. Pruning trees to an 18-foot height ensures that crop trees reach large diameters and live long lives, maximizing economic benefits. Since clear wood is valued more than knot-studded wood in paulownia lumber and veneer, early and consistent pruning offers significant value.
A striking ornamental tree, Paulownia tomentosa produces unusual flowers and huge heart-shaped leaves. The scented, pale lilac flowers sit on erect panicles and stand up like foxgloves, leading to the name of Foxglove tree. Sitting on the bare branches in early spring, they look like a lilac mist from afar. The leaves emerge in opposite pairs and can be up to 30 inches across. Coated in fine hairs, they start light green before turning mid-green and then golden-brown in the autumn. Curious seed pods, 3-4cm long, hang in clusters and add yet more interest.
Standard Tree: A more mature tree with an upright clear stem of approximately 1.8m-2.0m (measured from the soil to the lowest branches of the crown). Standards are available in different forms relating to their girth size (circumference of the stem measured 1m above soil level), not height.
Foxglove trees do not require regular pruning. If you wish to tidy up your Princess tree, do this during the dormant season. Focus on removing any damaged, diseased or overcrowded branches. If you require a clear trunk, remove any side shoots to help raise the crown.
These cookies allow our site to remember you when you return, as well as what choices you previously made, such as what currency you selected or your choice of language. If your soil is poor, mix 50% of the original soil with 50% high quality compost, fill in the hole and firm around gently. Make sure not to bank the soil up around the collar of the tree as this can cause problems. For pleached and mature trees (trees over 2.5m in height), we group orders together by geographic area for specialist delivery – we will contact these customers about the delivery date.
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The product table at the bottom of the page gives the forms and sizes available for this variety. Please note, photos are a guideline as all plants are unique. *Pot sizes may vary. Below are definitions of terms:Mature trees, pleached trees or orders too large for pallet: Cost is calculated in the checkout process and varies by postcode not quantity. Starts from £55. Paulownia tomentosa was given its name in honour of the Grand Duchess Anna Pavlovna of Russia, also known as Anna Paulowna. Steeped in history, Paulownia tomentosa is traditionally planted in China when a baby girl is born and cut down when she is eligible for marriage to carve into wooden objects for her dowry; Paulownia wood carving is a fine art form in Japan and China. It is also legend that the Phoenix will only land on the branches of this tree. Paulownia tomentosa, known as both the Foxglove or Empress tree, is a truly remarkable tree. Please note, orders are despatched once all trees are ready. There’s no need to be in to receive your order and you can request where it is left via the checkout.When planting Empress trees, it is important to prepare the planting area well. Pot grown trees can be planted at any time of the year. You will need to carry out the following to prepare your planting site.
If you’re planting in dry weather, water well and regularly for the first few months. The same goes for spring and summer planting. Make sure to keep an eye on your young tree and increase watering if there are extended periods of hot or dry weather. If you’re planting in autumn, you may only need to water your tree a little. We also stock a range of irrigation kits, suitable for a variety of planting schemes.Trees are carefully packed by our team and delivered in line with the timescale on the basket page. Trees on pre-order are still growing and show an estimated delivery date.
These cookies collect information about your online activity to help advertisers deliver, for example, more relevant information to you. We may also share this information with third parties for this purpose. Due to the size of leaves, please expect some leaf damage on deliveries made when the tree is in leaf – just remove any damaged leaves on arrival with sharp secateurs and new leaves will grow in no time at all. The above prices exclude the Scottish Highlands, where delivery starts from £30 and is calculated in the checkout process. We cannot deliver outside of Mainland UK.
How do you grow a Paulownia tree?
Sandy loam is the best soil type for paulownia. To enrich the soil with nitrogen, consider planting a bean crop, such as soy, a year before planting the trees. Till and disk the land in parallel rows before planting. For biomass production, space the trees 5 feet apart in rows 15 feet on-center to accommodate mechanized harvesters.
Firstly, remove all weeds and grass within a metre of your desired planting hole then dig a hole as deep as your root mass and approximately 2x as wide. We recommend digging a square hole as this encourages the roots to grow straight as opposed to around, inside the hole. To help your tree establish more effectively, we advise applying root grow (sprinkle in the hole for pot grown trees), especially if you have poor soil. Gently loosen the roots and place into the planting hole.Top grafted tree: A height next to this form refers to the length of clear stem, which will not grow taller. Only the head of branches will develop. Ideal for small spaces.
A beautiful rounded tree, Paulownia tomentosa will grow to 5 x 5 metres in 20 years. Paulownia takes well to being pollarded (or coppiced) and will re-grow within one season, so that by late-summer it will be 5m tall again – a miraculous thing to watch! It will grow in sun and dappled shade and is tolerant of all soil types, but choose a sheltered position with well-drained soil for the best results.
The biomass produced can be utilized not to only promote energy use, but also serves as a basis for the production of wood-based materials. Compared to poplar and willow biomass growth of Paulownia plantation is up to 30 percent higher. In addition to the extraordinary properties as high grade timber, paulownia wood is also suitable for biomass production due to its rapid growth. (Link to: Paulownia wood; energy wood). The wood of Paulownia is as valuable timber for the manufacturing of furniture, musical instruments, in boat and aircraft construction and many other areas where an aesthetic and light wood is in demand. Due to the stability in accordance to its low weight, paulownia wood is considered as the “aluminum” among the wood species.Or better yet, start a plantation in New Mexico or West Texas. The climate here is right and the ground, while hard, becomes excellent when it is tilled and amended. The other benefit here is that you can solarize the soil in the shortest amount of time and these trees would shoot up out of solarized soil.
If I buy it from SE Asia and it is shipped to Australia..Is it sustainably grown and managed? Suitable for a ceiling (interior with a small exterior covered awning, cut In narrow strips?
I have always loved the scent of mimosa trees & the flowers are so pretty & delicate looking…like little pink tutus straight out of the movie Avatar!. Mimosa trees are very messy with both seed pods, flowers & leaf fronds. They are easy to propagate in the right climate zones, & spread like crazy but are easily controlled with regular lawn mowing.Apparently very high tannin content. Paulownia will bleed through many paint layers if not properly sealed. My lumber yard won’t sell it anymore because contractors complained.“One of them came loose from the lathe jaws and bounced off of my temple. The resulting black eye was impressive…I was curious, so I tried to break it by throwing it, hard, at the concrete floor.” Curious. uhHUH. LOL.
I acquired a slab recently from a central Tx land clearing outfit. It is very light weight. Glad to know it is strong. I had to send a sample in to the federal wood ID agency to identify. I plan to use it for the seat of a greenwood chair.We have a small plantation in Australia. Here are some tips for growing: grow from root cuttings about 4″ long. Dry the cuttings in air for a day to harden off. Plant about 2 to 3 inches deep in spring in well drained soil, about a yard apart (or more), and irrigate regularly. Don’t try to grow them in poorly drained or hard soils. Grow until the dormant season, a few weeks after the leaves have fallen. Then use a shovel to cut out a root ball about one yard in diameter around the young tree. Cut a quarter of… Read more »
Georgia is the home of the World Paulownia Institute. It grows seedlings for sale and also has plantations for the timber. It’s a DISGRACE to even think about eradicating this valuable resource.
Common Uses: Plywood, veneer, furniture, boxes, millwork/siding, musical instruments (electric guitar bodies), clogs, carvings, and other small specialty items.
Workability: Given its straight grain and light weight, Paulownia is extremely easy to work. However, due to a high silica content in some trees, the wood can have a strong blunting effect on cutting edges. Takes a wide variety of glues, stains, and finishes well.
I live in Central Virginia, USA. Recently had an Ice Storm which forced my Princess Tree to give up two of it’s large limbs. This Princess Tree is pretty close to, trunk diameter 36ins. Well over 30ft tall. One of the limbs that gave up is probably 20-24ins diameter branching off to 8-10ins diameter. The other limb is probably 12-15ins diameter, branching off to 6-8ins diameter. I do woodturning and considering attempting turning some of this wood. I have never used this wood before.
How much is Paulownia wood worth in Europe?
Paulownia is a fast-growing tree (8 years) with valuable wood (200-600 euros / 1 m³). Cached
Paulownia is also used to make surfboards. In particular, it is a popular choice for the Alaia; a traditional Hawaiian surfboard. The Alaia is thin, quite flat, and is made from a solid wood. Paulownia is stronger than balsa (another common surfboard wood), while still being light enough for the Alaia and other types of surfboards. It is said that Paulownia surfboards can be finished with tung or linseed oil while balsa surfboards must be sealed with resin or varnish.Pricing/Availability: Paulownia is seldom offered for sale in the United States, though it’s actually grown on plantations and exported to Japan, where demand for the wood is much higher. Prices are likely to be high for a domestic species.It’s a fabulous tonewood! I used it for the soundboard of my flagship guitar. My problem is availability the the US. It’s rarely available and VERY expensive. If I could get enough, I doubt I’d ever use spruce or cedar again, really!
How long does it take to grow Paulownia?
This shade tree grows rapidly adding 15 feet each year to reach a mature height of 50 feet and width of 30 feet in just 10 years. It is considered one of the fastest growing trees in the world.
This is an interesting observation. We have at least anecdote from the above commenter (frequently sharpening his lathe tools) that there is silica in the wood. I’ve not worked with the wood to such an extent that I would have noticed the silica one way or another. It’s noteworthy that some books state that the wood causes dullness of cutters because of silica content (such as James Flynn’s “Guide to Useful Woods of the World”), while other books state that it has a “low silica content.” Maybe it is a misunderstanding? To me, just about any presence of silica would… Read more »I have been working with Antique Japanese Furniture for over 20 years and Kiri is a very common wood. Kiri was prized for several reasons. It does not move very much. Boxes stay tight. It was used for watertight boxes in sea chests and in clothing chests it will not move much between winter and summer. In the old days fire was a huge issue in Japan. Everything of any worth was stored in a Fireproof out building called a Kura. The problem was the thick walls created a much cooler invironment leading to condensation. Anything stored in the kura… Read more »
Where can I buy paulownia timber?
Whether you are interested in buying high performing paulownia trees to create your very own sustainable timber plantation or are looking to buy paulownia timber from a specialised supplier, iPaulownia is your one stop paulownia web shop.
FYI – paulownia is gaining popularity as a component in lightweight skis. We use it, sometimes, in conjunction with hickory, but Rossignol and other major manufacturers have been incorporating paulownia in skis like the Sin 7 for a few years, at least.
I would think that the Japanese are correct. They have been making boxes for sharp edged tools for a long time, I would guess. The above commenter notes that “A less-than-razor-sharp cutter tends to rip out chunks…” So it may just seem like the lathe tools get duller faster when cutting Paulownia. It does seem to me that there is something of a smear campaign against Paulownia trees – even more so than against invasives like stink trees (Ailanthus altissima). There doesn’t seem to be one good thing about Ailanthus altissima, while there are many positive attributes about Paulownia trees.… Read more »
the trees grow insanely fast and weedy in the northeast/mid-Atlantic region. I would hesitate to start a plantation anywhere knowing how weedy and difficult to eradicate they arePaulownia is considered by the Japanese to be resistant to moths. One of its traditional uses was in the building of bridal kimono cabinets, presented by the Bride’s Mother to her daughter on her wedding day. It used to be the practice for the parents of a daughter to plant a Paulownia Tree during the first year after birth in order to provide the lumber to be used to construct their bridal cabinet. Can Paulownia be used outdoors with suitable varnishing for protection. I am thinking of using it to build the cantilever part of a cantilever pergola. The pergola posts are in autoclaved pine and the cantilevers will only bear the weight of a Wisteria vine. The attraction of Paulownia is its weight – or rather lack thereof. With it I can be assured that the overhead part of the pergola weights next to nothing. Allergies/Toxicity: Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with Paulownia. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.Very soft wood, commonly sold in Taiwan for construction and decoration… not very useful as far as wood is concerned, too soft and not really strong like pine (another common construction wood). However this wood makes wonderful charcoal for making black powder!
Endgrain: Ring-porous, occasionally semi-ring-porous; 3-5 rows of very large earlywood pores, large to small latewood pores; tyloses common; narrow to medium rays visible without lens, normal spacing; parenchyma winged, lozenge, confluent, and marginal.I have had one of these trees growing on my land about 17 years. The guys cut it down, but there are many more ‘babies’ growing from the roots. It is called an Empress tree and really does grow fast. It only lost a few limbs to Hurricane Katrina. The spring flowers cover the ground and one can smell it several houses away. I have burned fallen limbs in my wood stove. They pop and burn easily. A hurricane this year took down one of my old live oaks, so I plan to cut some boards just to see if… Read more »
Does Paulownia tomentosa have leaf damage?
Paulownia tomentosa, known as both the Foxglove or Empress tree, is a truly remarkable tree. Due to the size of leaves, please expect some leaf damage on deliveries made when the tree is in leaf – just remove any damaged leaves on arrival with sharp secateurs and new leaves will grow in no time at all. ?
Notice that Lowes online advertisement has a different spelling of Paulownia. Is this because the advertisement has a typo-error or is the Lowes product something entirely different?
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Mimosa (& Magnolia) is an ingredient in some high end, quality perfumes. I don’t know if Paulownia is a perfume additive but it really should be since it smells so delightful.
A few minutes ago I read an article on Tom Wegener Surfboards. The article is titled Ancient Hawaiian Olo (sorry, cannot link on this site, but you ought not have trouble finding it on a Google search). It mentions going from photographing the tree ready for cutting in 2005 to delivering the slabs to mill in 2008. You might ask the website’s owner, Mr. Wegener, for advice on the drying.
Why does it state paulownia wood is not good for construction, but it is nearly identical to western red ceder and western red cedar is used to make homes/log cabins in the eastern United States and all over Canada. Comments please?Paulownia is very soft, but tough. I have been working it on my lathe. A less-than-razor-sharp cutter tends to rip out chunks, leaving 1/16″x1/4″ divots which can be smoothed with 60 grit sandpaper. A sharp cutter leaves a better surface and I start with 100 grit. Lots of sanding gives a smooth, but bumpy, surface. The softer summer growth is removed faster than the tough winter growth, and this is obvious when the growth rings are an inch wide. A very sharp cutter and a light touch minimize this problem. The tree has a hole in its heart and resists… Read more »
Paulownias are really surprising. A weed i neglect to cut at the corner of low party walls in front of my house (near Lyon, France) over wintered as a bare thin stick 1.2 m high, and 3 years later it’s a 6 meter tree, very elegant and unusual in shape. I recently managed to identify it by its super large leaves via an phone app (Picture This). I can’t wait for the flowers (it is said to first flower at 8-10 years old..) wich seems to be gorgeous and said to smell very good. I don’t know how the seed… Read more »
You will lose much of the structural benefit of a cantilever by using different wood for it, you want the downward pressure so that it lifts the wood on the other side. You could use the wood for all of the top of your pergola, but there are much more suitable and available woods to use instead. If you happen to have the wood though, then yes, you can use itYes, i have a lot of experience using paulownia to make surfboards and subsequently many other things. It is harder and slightly denser than balsa and doesnt absorb salt water. It is in fact the perfect timber for the job whereas balsa really is not suited but was used as there was nothing else light enough available “back in the day”. I am about to use paulownia to build the awning windows for our new house. It is a dream to work with, is durable (if soft) and weathers beautifully. After witnessing its performance in the ocean with only linseed… Read more »
Does Paulownia wood smell?
Because it also has no smell on it’s own, Paulownia is therefore also preferably used for production of packaging material in the food and beverage industry.
I have planted si? paulovnia for building foiling and surfing board (only have to wait 6 years). Does onybody know how long should it dry after cutting trunk intro boards?I intend making a barn door (81cm wide by 214cm high) cut from paulownia 18mm thick 8’x4′ board. Is the shear strength of this wood enough to hang the door from it’s pulleys that slide onto the rail please. Thank you
I owned a tansu which was made in Japan ~1910’s. It was made from Paulownia as were most of the others in the shop where I bought it. Very lightweight but impressively well-built – mostly tight joints and some wooden pins to secure the back panel. It was actually two separated pieces: the lower chest of two long drawers and and upper of one long and three shorties on top. Simple but elegant hand-hammered hardware with working locks on each drawer. Unfortunately I sold it when I had to move and downsize, much to my regret. Similar in finish and… Read more »
My Uncle planted a Paulownia tree in my backyard here in far northern California as an experiment to see how it would grow here in zone 8 and it has grown fantastically! The only sad thing is that it finishes blooming late spring and early summer and then starts to grow new blossom buds. By November there are so may buds it is so exciting but then they sit throughout the entire winter and do not bloom until late April. Doves and other birds feast on the buds during winter and it seems like there will be no buds left… Read more »Comments: The other Balsa. Paulownia is used in applications where a lightweight (yet proportionately strong) wood is needed. It’s widely used in Japan for construction of the koto (a stringed musical instrument), as well as other household items, where the wood is referred to as Kiri. Paulownia is one of the fastest growing trees in the world, capable of growth rates of well over seven feet per year as a seedling! But while it’s highly appreciated and cultivated in Asia, Paulownia has come to be considered an invasive species in the United States.
Color/Appearance: Heartwood typically a pale grayish brown, sometimes with a reddish or purplish hue. Pale white sapwood not clearly demarcated from heartwood. Overall appearance (both the wood and the tree itself) is not too unlike Catalpa, another lightweight and porous hardwood.
The Paulownia is an excellent wood for the packaging because it is very light but resistant. It can be used to pack many items in different sectors, fashion accessories, wine bottles, musical instruments etc…
What is the most expensive tree wood in the world?
African Blackwood It is considered as the most expensive wood in the world because not only it is challenging to work with hand or machine tools, its trees are already near-threatened. But as expensive as it may seem, African Blackwood is worth the price.
1. Planting: Empress Trees are nearly indestructible once they have become established, but do require some care in their early stages of growth. Full sun and well-draining soil are essential to the health of the tree. Ensure you plant your Empress well away from foundations, sidewalks and other structures.2. Watering: When the top 2 to 3 inches of the soil is dry, add water. As a rule, let the soil surrounding the tree dry out before watering. If your tree is wet upon arrival, skip the initial watering for two days.
The brand-new Phoenix One Royal Empress Tree has everything you love about the original – fast growth, easy care, eco-friendliness and instant landscape impact – plus improved tolerance of heat and drought, stronger branches, and a unique, columnar shape. And while it won’t flower like the some Royal Empress varieties, you’ll love the deep green color its large, tropical leaves provide.
It’s called the fastest growing tree in the world for good reason, growing up to 15 feet in a single year. And now it’s even better, with the new and improved Phoenix One cultivar!
Its record-breaking growth means this tree is prized for providing quick shade and good looks, fast – but it’s a hard worker, too. Sustainable, low-maintenance and non-invasive, this tree will help cool your yard and clean the air around your home – and its lightweight-yet-sturdy wood is even popular in construction and interior design.
Plant your tree after the last frost, or when surrounding plants begin to bud out. For best results, mix in potting soil or soil conditioner, especially if planting in clay or poor soil. Make your hole twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball, place the tree in the hole, and spread the roots out evenly. Water the area to moisten/settle the soil and then broadcast a good layer of mulch to preserve soil moisture and keep weeds and grasses back. 3. Fertilizing: Empress Trees love organic fertilizer high in nitrogen. Check to make sure the first of the three numbers on your organic fertilizer is higher than the others, indicating an extra boost of nitrogen (example: 20-10-10). You can fertilize twice a month in the growing season, and stop fertilizing before the tree goes back into dormancy. Additional fertilizing should only be done after the first year. 4. Pruning: Let your tree grow for one entire year. If your Empress Tree did not grow at least 4 feet before winter dormancy, we recommend that you cut it to the ground at the very start of spring (a process called “coppicing”). This may seem odd, but it will grow a bunch of small sprouts. Select the “alpha” of the bunch and pinch the others off. This will focus all of the nutrients into that one growth and become a very straight, beautiful tree.Because this tree is grown in a burlap bag, its roots grow into the cloth, rather than circling around the pot. This brings moisture and nutrients into the tree, for faster, healthier growth and ease. Simply dig your hole, place the Drop ‘N Grow™ bag in the center (burlap included), then use excess dirt to fill the hole. That’s it! {{#if is_oversize_shipping }} {{else}} {{#if is_discounted_gift }} {{else}} {{/if}} {{/if}} {{name}} {{#if is_oversize_shipping }} {{else}} {{#if is_discounted_gift }} {{else}} {{/if}} {{/if}} {{#if variations}} {{#each variations}} {{#if this}} {{@key}}: {{this}} {{/if}} {{/each}} {{/if}} {{#properties}} {{#each this}} {{#if this}} {{@key}}: {{this}} {{/if}} {{/each}} {{/properties}} The blossoms of the Empress Splendor tree are highly “nectariferous” creating a much-needed source of nectar for pollinating insects including honeybees. It is estimated that one acre of Empress Splendor tree blossoms can generate enough nectar to produce 100 jars of honey per year.Sustainable materials are materials used throughout our consumer and industrial economy that can be produced in required volumes without depleting non-renewable resources and without disrupting the established steady-state equilibrium of the environment and key natural resource systems.
Other names for this amazing wood are: Princess Tree, Royal Paulownia, Empresswood, or Kiri. This deciduous hardwood species is a member of the Paulowniaceae family.Royal paulownia trees start bearing seed after 8 to 10 years and are very prolific (2). Each capsule contains up to 2,000 seeds, and a large tree may produce as many as 20 million seeds a year. The tiny, flat, winged seeds weigh about 0.17 mg (170,000 seeds/oz.). As the capsules break open on the trees throughout the winter and into spring, wind dissemination occurs easily (1).
Where do Paulownia trees grow best?
Paulownia is highly adaptive species and grows well on many types of soils. Most appropriate and recommended are light, well drained and sandy soils with or without slopes. Most recommended are deep well drained soils with pH from 5.0 to 8.9. Avoid clay, rocky and soaked soils.
In layman’s terms, c4 photosynthesis is a hyper-efficient means of converting carbon to oxygen. C4 photosynthesis is typical of many plants & shrubs. However, Paulownia is one of the few trees possessing this unique ability!This shade tree grows rapidly adding 15 feet each year to reach a mature height of 50 feet and width of 30 feet in just 10 years. It is considered one of the fastest growing trees in the world.
In short, being close to the resource means less transportation. Paulownia grown here in the United States does not cross the ocean on a container ship. It does not contribute to port congestion. Instead Paulownia lumber arrives our yard in Fontana, California efficiently packed on a flatbed or LTL van truck.Bamboo also grows fast, at a rate of up to 1 1/2 inches an hour! However, despite its woody stem and tree-like appearance, bamboo is a grass, not a tree.In my opinion, Paulownia sustainability is far superior to all other hardwoods & softwoods. In fact, I believe Paulownia may be the most sustainable resource the Earth has to offer.While Royal Empress tree growth rates depend on several factors, most paulownia trees grow between 10-15 feet per year, at least during early maturity. Paulownia lumber has amazing benefits sought by the sustainable lumber industry. Paulownia is the best option for eco-friendly sustainable hardwood manufacturing. Sustainable hardwoods come from forests which maintain a positive equilibrium of tree and plant biodiversity, either naturally or through responsible forest management, Using this criteria, most wood species compare favorably to non-wood materials for eco-friendliness. Of course, the carbon footprint of wood is significantly lighter than concrete or steel. Empress reproduces from seed. Sprouts appear randomly on the buds and upper part of the plant. Additionally, sprouting occurs regardless of whether or not the above-ground plant is alive. The Paulownia spp. is one of the few species of tree that is characterized by the presence of a C4 photosynthesis pathway. These trees are involved in regulating the climate, absorbing significant amounts of carbon dioxide, and releasing a large amount of oxygen.The leaves of this plant are large and velvety soft looking very much like those on a catalpa tree. Flowers appear on second year wood are light purple pink, showy, and smell like vanilla. Woody brown seed capsules follow and in the fall they break open to reveal winged seeds.
NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
It tolerates a range of soils including low fertility and high acidity but prefers moist, deep, sandy-loam well-drained soil. While it can withstand some light shade it prefers full sun. Air pollution and coastal conditions do not bother this tree in the slightest and it self seeds very easily in the landscape. The canopy produces dense shade making it difficult to grow plants underneath and it competes with native plants for nutrients and water. Once it is cut down, it will send up growth along the roots several feet out from the original tree and is difficult to kill. This tree is not recommended for landscape planting.
Native to Eastern Asia the princess tree is a deciduous fast growing tree in the Paulowniaceae family. The tree is named in honor of Russian Princess Anna Paulowna (1795-1865), while the species name tomentosa means hairy in Latin. This shade tree grows rapidly adding 15 feet each year to reach a mature height of 50 feet and width of 30 feet in just 10 years. It is considered one of the fastest growing trees in the world.
