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Paulownia - miracle tree and Nitrogenous fixation. Part 4
By Chris Meagher
Possibly this is the largest, by comparable overall mass and weight, of all nitrogenous species. Having originated in China, this deciduous tree can easily grow to 50 feet, often with leaves to 20 inches across. This tree grows FAST.
* From planting to 5 years, it can be felled as a stable millable timber, used for artistic carpentry, veneers, glory-boxes, cabinet making, general lightweight furniture and musical instruments; * from 5 to 10 years, it can be milled for projects requiring a more resilient timber, such as chairs and interior walls; * from 10 years and on, it becomes millable as a hardwood for construction and structural quality timber; * has a very high ignition point, and is also rot and warp resistant.
At any point in its growth after 3 years, it can be utilized to make rather excellent charcoal, for artworks. All of these qualities make it a rather attractive timber commercially. Once cut, at any age, after having shed its stored nitrogen, comparable to the biomass it has lost, the stump will re-shoot. The shed nitrogen becoming fertiliser for the soil. The re-growth can then be selectively pruned to re-start the whole plantation process. Grazing animals find the leaves quite palatable, too, and it is not uncommon to let them graze on the re-growth between the rows in plantation systems. Compatible plant species, with particular micro-environmental climatic needs, such as coffee, cocoa, lychees, or any other understorey crop for that matter, fare very well with this system. (more about this in another article) After the second or third season of growth (now at approx. 16 feet), Paulownias start to flower, adding yet another fascinating dimension to this remarkable tree.
The flowers, from lilac, or light mauve to white, are produced on panicles about 18 inches long, or deep, remarkably similar foxglove flowers.
As each flower falls from the panicle, they make an audible sound when they hit the ground, they are so heavy. The flowers are a prime source of bee food and subsequently produce a light, uniquely flavored, high quality, honey. The seed-pod is fairly non-descript, other than that it is a dry pod containing myriad minute seeds. (more on this in a following article) The leaves, being huge, either green or spent, make an excellent mulch, or green manure, high in nitrogen.
There is also anecdotal evidence of the leaves being used in alternative therapies, such as a hedge against intestinal worms.
Paulownias will grow in poor to degraded soils and are often used as a reclamation species.
The only apparent specific growing needs being, plenty of sun and a dislike of wet feet.
Being a very deep rooted plant, and a phyto-remediator species, Paulownias take up and process contaminants present in ruined land, in return delivering masses of organic material to bolster the land. Due to the rapid rate Paulownia trees grow and their ease of regeneration, they make an excellent primary reclamation species, especially if incorporated with grazing animals. Biomass builds phenomenally fast using this method, and reclamation of ecologically ruined land, is actually assured. Indeed the paulownia is almost a miracle tree. |
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The copyright for this content entitled "Paulownia - miracle tree and Nitrogenous fixation. Part 4" has been specified by the contributor as:
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The copyright for this content has been relinquished by the author. The content may be used freely by anyone.
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February, 2012
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