The use of Paulownia

Paulownia is traditionally regarded as a useful plant providing quality wood. The wood of Paulownia can be used in multiple ways.

Paulownia wood

The wood of Paulownia is completely odourless and distinguishes itself with good physical and mechanical properties. Basically, the wood of Paulownia is an interesting resource for modern industry, also because Paulownia is considered to be a fast-growing plant. Paulownia reaches its biggest growth rate at the age of 20 to 30 years. At the age of 60 to 70 years the tree usually dies.

Vital Paulownia trees can have a tremendous annual growth rate of up to 4 m in height. Regarding diameter of the stem an increase of 5,5 cm can be reached. The annual rings can have a width of up to 20 mm. Because of this a yield of 0,5 to 1,5 solid cubic metres wood per tree can be achieved.

The Tree's characteristics and properties

The air dry wood of Paulownia has a water content of about 15% and a density of 0,26 to 0,33 grams per cubic centimetre. In order to achieve the perfect wood quality, it is important for Paulownia to meet intensive care within a forestry plantation. In general, the wood of Paulownia has the potential to serve modern wood industry as high-quality saw wood and even as veneer. To use Paulownia in that way it is necessary for it to have a high quality and to be mainly branchless. Branchless saw wood only occurs after consistent pruning whilst growing season. The harvest of Paulownia should happen only after achieving the desired size of the tree and by cutting the trees individually.

Use of Paulownias quality wood

In general, the wood of Paulownia can be perfect quality wood for the modern wood industry if there existed targeted pruning and consistent care. To produce quality wood only branchless trees which are tall enough should be used. It is a huge advantage for the wood industry that the fast growth rate of the Paulownia tree provides consistent replenishment of necessary resources. More possibilities for the use of Paulownia are the wood material industry, the production of tools made for farming firms of different sizes and orientations and for ornamental carvings.

In Japan the wood is traditionally used for way more things. Here it finds usage for furniture, boxes and for musical instruments. In the Southeast of the USA the huge potential of Paulownia was discovered for the paper industry and for energy production.