The Dragon Tree ( Paulownia fortunei ) is a deciduous, flowering tree that is native to China, Taiwan, Vietnam and Laos. It is one of the fastest growing hardwood trees in the world and can grow over 2 metres tall in their first year. There is a common misconception the Paulownia fortunei is extremely invasive; but this information is false. There is a species of Paulownia that is very invasive in some countries; that species is the Paulownia tomentosa.
This species is beautiful with its masses of creamy-white and lavender flowers. It has an extensive uses in the timber industries and also as a bio tree. It is grown for its ornamental value and also for its timber. The wood of the Dragon Tree is hard but is also very light weight. The trunk grows straight and can tolerate temperatures from -12°C to 50°C!
Check out our other Paulownias including the Princess Tree and the Empress Tree.
Growth
Paulownia fortunei grows to an average of 20 metres tall and wide. The adult leaves can get up to 20 cm’s wide, are fuzzy and heart shaped. The tree is deciduous but do not change colour before dropping and are often used as stock feed. The fragrant creamy-white and purple flowers with a darker centre 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. Young trees are susceptible to frost damage but are frost tolerant once established. The Dragon Tree is the most drought and heat tolerant but least cold tolerant of the Paulownia species.
FAMILY:
Paulowniaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold – Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-12 to 50°C / 10 to 122°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining soil. This species is a soil improver
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 23 metres (75 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 23 metres (75 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:
68-82%
GERMINATION TIME:
2-4 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 6000
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT PAULOWNIA FORTUNEI (Dragon 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.
