The Proud Ancestry Of The Royal Paulownia Tree

In recent time the Royal Paulownia tree has become popular and widely promoted on the Internet. Yet the Paolownia tomentosa has an ancient history. It seems that it is being rediscovered in current circumstances perhaps because the Information age has made people e more aware of its potential.

The tree seems to have been named after a Russian princess, Anna Pavlova, perhaps by a sycophantic biologist. Since she only lived in the nineteenth century it is safe to assume that much was known about it in the East before it was named in the West. Its Chinese name may be rendered in English sounds as Mao Paotong.

The less splendid name of \’Foxglove tree\’ is sometimes used because the thousands of blooms that cover the trees in Spring resemble foxglove flowers. As time passes they become pods filled with thousands of tiny seeds. Pottery manufacturers sometimes used them as packaging material and in that way the seeds were dispersed by human agencies around the Globe.

Pioneer plants usually grow quickly and do not mind disturbed or deplete soils and these characteristics apply in the case of Paulownia trees. They will establish themselves on depleted soils and improve it. Then when they are shaded out by taller trees they will themselves depart the scene, having served their purpose. These natural characteristics can be used to good effect by foresters who can produce valuable timber in relatively short periods. However, if the trees are cut down or damaged by fire they will coppice quickly.

Plants that are identified as alien invaders can be as unwelcome in some countries as illegal immigrants. This is because aliens can destroy the natural habitats of birds and animals and diminish underground water resources.

However, Paulownia trees, being deciduous, do not threaten water resources and actually improve soil structure. They may spread rapidly if they find themselves in ideal conditions but do bring the benefits of very useful characteristics. Unlike other quick growing timber they yield hard wood and improve the soil in which they are rooted. Some growers deliberately cut down trees so that they coppice producing prolific crops of leaves that can be used for fodder. They will not produce flowers on young wood but shoot up quickly from their roots.

During the twentieth century environmental resources were ravaged in some countries. It only became apparent late in the century that urgent steps would have to be taken to restore the vitality and fertility of the soil in large areas of the world. Paulownia trees have been used for these purposes over very large areas of China. The fertility of large areas has been restored, erosion has ceased and valuable economic reserves of timber have been created

In the past a baby girl was given a Royal Paulownia tree when she was born. It grew up with her and when she married it was cut down and made into furniture for her new home. So, the tree would be with her throughout her life. This charming custom seems to be one that helps to build a stable culture. In a world where instability and cultural instability reign it is a custom well worth resuscitating.

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The Proud Ancestry Of The Royal Paulownia Tree