Named after the wife of King Willem of the Netherlands the royal paulownia tree is a native of China. This twenty five foot tree has large showy and fragrant flowers that bloom through the spring and summer months. It is a popular export to Japan and holds both industrial and traditional value for their population.
Tradition dictates that Japanese families plant one of these trees each time a daughter is born. When she is married the tree is made into the marriage chest she takes to her new family. It is also considered a bringer of good fortune when planted near the house. Japanese families prize this hardwood for its capability of being made into beautiful furniture pieces and toys for the family.
American growers have began developing markets for these trees nationally and abroad. China is by far the largest producer of these trees and introduced them to North America as an ornamental for nursery sales and yard decoration. The saplings can grow as much as eighteen feet in a single year. Numerous tree farms have sprung up nationwide supplying various markets.
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.
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.
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 is a tree of many facets. It has long been prized in the Eastern nations for wood and other items. Nearly every part of the plant can be used or has value on some level. Whether it is being grown for export or to help restore our own soil and air quality it has a history of aiding mankind. This is one Chinese export that should be welcomed to the North American hemisphere with open arms.
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