Sunday, March 17, 2013

What You Should Know About The Paulownia Elongata Tree

Originally from Asia, the Paulownia Elongata is a member of the Paulowniaceae family of trees. Found primarily in Laos, Vietnam and China, this fast growing shade tree can grow between 15 and 20 feet in a single year. It is a beautiful choice for landscaping parks and gardens with its elongated purple flowers and its high tolerance of shady areas.


The speed that these trees grow is not their only benefit. The fragrant flowers that will bloom each spring also makes them popular. The flowers range in color from a deep blue to a dark purple. These large flowers measure up to 10 inches long. These trees are also popular as lumber, especially in China as they can grow to heights of up to 100 feet.


Since being brought into the United States, these trees have flourished from Texas to New York. In zones six through 10 they were originally planned to be used for ornamental purposes. Now in some areas they have become invasive. Due to the warm conditions, areas in the southeast consider them to be weeds because they are growing in such abundance.


One of the main reasons that some areas view them as weeds is that once the flowers die and turn to seed, the seeds spread quickly. With each pound of seed netting approximately three million seeds, these trees can become a dreadful problem for gardeners. In climates with the right conditions, the seeds can germinate in as few as 10 days making it difficult to keep up with them.


One of the most interesting facts about this type of tree is how it grows. Although it grows at an amazing fast rate, during the first few seasons it will die. It will continue to do this for three or four years until a strong root system has been developed. At this point it will stop dying and will become more like a tree.


These trees, when used in landscaping, must have a lot of room to grow. The large, oval shaped leaves grow to be a foot wide and long. They will grow into a point and will appear heart shaped. To help the trunk grow straight up, trim off any new branches while they are still small, preferably less than three inches long. An added benefit is that the leaves quickly biodegrade and so there is no need to clean them up in the fall after they drop off of the tree.


Many farmers that have the space choose to grow them to earn some extra money on the lumber. Regardless to the number of times you cut this type of tree down, it will always return thanks to its extensive root system. This is a nice feature for farmers who do not have a lot of extra time to have to keep planting them over and over. It is also a money saver.


The Paulownia Elongata tree is a light colored wood making it a popular choice in several industries. Because of this light color it is preferred for use in skis, guitars and hardwood timber. It is also used when making paper. This tree is ready to be harvested every five to seven years.


To find out how to purchase paulownia elongata seeds or cuttings click www.paulowniaseed.com. If you wish to request a consultation, visit http://www.paulowniaseed.com for details.



What You Should Know About The Paulownia Elongata Tree

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