The Princess Tree ( Paulownia elongata ) is a deciduous, flowering tree that is native to China. It is known as the fastest growing hardwood tree in the world and can grow over 3 metres tall in its first year. There is a common misconception the Paulownia elongata is invasive; but this is false information put out by uneducated people. There is a species of Paulownia that is invasive; the Paulownia tomentosa. Officially it doesn’t really have a common name other than ‘Elongate Paulownia’, but most species are referred to as Princess Trees, so for the sake of ease; we have coined it the ‘Princess Tree’.
This species is beautiful with its Foxglove-like flowers and has loads uses in the timber industries and as a bio tree. In North America and China it is grown for its timber that can be ready for harvesting in as little as 5-7 years. The wood of the Princess is hard but is also very light weight. The trunk grows straight and can tolerate temperatures from -17°C to 40°C!
Growth
Paulownia elongata grows to an average of 15 metres, with a spread of up to 10 metres. The adult leaves can get up to 30 cm’s wide, are fuzzy and heart shaped, although the leaves of young trees can be much larger. The tree is deciduous but do not change colour before dropping and are often used as stock feed. The sweet smelling, purple flowers of this beauty are very similar looking to the foxglove flower and are produced in mass all over the tree in Spring. In tropical climates the tree may stay evergreen and struggle to flower; they can struggle to grow, be flowerless and brittle in coastal areas with salty soil.
Will tolerate most climates and many types of soil but doesn’t like salty or heavy clay soils. It has been cultivated on every continent of the world, with the exception of Antarctica. Young trees are susceptible to frost damage but are frost tolerant once established.
FAMILY:
Paulowniaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold – Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-17 to 40°C / 1.4 to 104°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining soil. This species is a soil improver
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 15 metres (50 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 10 metres (32 feet)
pH:
5.0-8.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Deciduous, Fast Growing
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light – Medium
POLLINATION:
Insects & wind pollinated, self fertile with bisexual flowers.
MATURITY:
2 years
GERMINATION RATES:
65-80%
GERMINATION TIME:
2-4 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 6000
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT PAULOWNIA ELONGATA (Princess Tree)
The Paulownia species is valuable to the environment. Paulownia trees absorb more than 10 times the quantity of carbon dioxide than and other tree and in turn releases large quantities of oxygen. It will also improve poor quality, polluted soil making them reusable again.
Paulownia wood can be air dried without the need for kilns, and is very strong in comparison to its light weight. This weight/strength ratio makes it fantastic for its uses in surfboard, boat and aeroplane construction and for building furniture, musical instruments and caravans. The timber is also warp and pest resistant, is not blemishes with knots and will regenerate after it is cut down!
In Japan, it is a tradition to plant a Paulownia Tree when a baby girl is born. When she is ready to get married the tree is cut down and it is used to make furniture; and other useful items for the newlywed home.
Paulownia has several medicinal properties and wass heavily used in traditional Chinese medicine. There is a link provided to some research material in the ‘Medicinal Qualities’ section above.
