Brothers International LTD

"We specialize strictly in Paulownia, helping others who wish to start their own plantation"

About Growth Rates! Genetics vs. Site

Formally Early Bird Nursery

12 foot; 1 season growth

Elongata clone

1.5 foot; 1 season growth

Elongata clone

I am curious. The 2 pictures on the right are mail order “superior clone” elongatas off the internet. My height is 6 feet. The white pole is 10 feet. One site got to 12 feet; the other 1.5 feet. As you can see, their growth rates are extremely different. However, they are of the same genetics; planted the same day; within 300 yards of each other. Both sites were fertilized. Both sites had weed control; one by cultivation, the other by mowing. Neither site had irrigation, just natural rain fall.

The point I wish to make is: MOST ALL PAULOWNIA HAS THE GENETIC POTENTIONAL FOR FAST GROWTH IN THE EARLY YEARS, BUT GENTICS IS NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR, IT IS ONLY ONE OF SEVERAL. Site selection (soil depth, drainage, orientation with the sun, wind protection) is just as important for good growth rates, along with length of growing season, fertility, moisture, weed control!

The reason for the poor growth in the lower picture is the soil. The top picture the top soil is deep & lose. The second picture, the top soil was little, with a hard pan underneath.

In summary, if your paulownia does not grow as expected, it may not be the tree’s fault! Paulownia are VERY site sensitive. Any site, less then ideal, will have dramatic effects upon growth rates. I only got 18 inches for this clone elongata.

Good genetics does not fix a poor site!!!!

P.S. The 2 White Pine trees in the back ground are 19 years old.