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Brothers International LTD |
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Paulownia Detail |
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Formally Early Bird Nursery |
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Paulownia tomentosa, hardy to zone 6 to maybe 5; lavender flower |
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It is often asked “which seed should I order?” My answer is “it depends”. The truth is there are differences between the species, but not much. The biggest difference is tolerance to cold weather. Tomentosa is the most cold tolerant and fortunei being the least. Catalpafolia and elongata fall some where in between. As far as general appearance of the trees, there is not much difference. They are easiest to I.D. when the flowers are in full bloom. |
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Is the most cold tolerant and has naturalized as far north as Pennsylvania and Maryland. It is by far the most common in the USA. This is the species that got the Paulownia buss started back in the late 1970’s when the Japanese’s market drove the price to $5,000 per 1,000 board feet. It is a good choice for those markets where you want slow growth, i.e. colder climates with shorter growing seasons. |
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Paulownia elongata, hardy to zone 9 to maybe 6; white flower
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Is currently the most popular. In China, in is the tree of choice for agro-forestry intercrops; where winter wheat is grown between the rows of trees. This is due to the roots tending to travel more vertical then lateral. In the USA, it is the tree of choice where you want fast growth and a quick turn-a-round of cash. It is a good choice for those markets where you want faster growth than tomentosa and you have a longer growing season |
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Paulownia fortunei ,hardy to zone 10
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Is a great lumber tree, but is not very popular due to it’s intolerance to cold weather. |
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Paulownia catalpifolia, hardy to zone 6; very faint lavender flower
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Is my favorite, just because it’s different and grows well in East Tennessee. Some biologist argue it is not really another species, but rather a cross between tomentosa and elongata. I tend to agree for the flower’s color is not lavender nor white, but somewhere in-between! This species adds more genetic variance to your plantation. It should do well where ever tomentosa or elongata can grow. |
Taking Orders Paulownia SeedVoice: 1-423-278-8891Fax: 1-423-623-5465DavidSutton@paulowniaseed.com |
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Shan-tong Paulownia is the result of an 11 year of artificial breeding program in China, associated with the Shan xi Forestry Department. It is a hybridized paulownia crossing Paulownia tomentosa with “white Paulownia”. The breeding program objects were 1) faster growth rates 2) stronger resistance to diseases 3) more drought resistance and 4) superior wood quality when compared to the other common varieties and species of paulownia. Shan-tong Paulownia is the best variety of Paulownia in China at present. Under ideal conditions, growth can be expected 30 + cm in diameter, with heights of 6 to 10 meters in 6 to 8 years. Initial planting densities should be 3 * 4 meters. Shan-tong is best planted at or below latitude of 40 degrees. Rain fall needs to be at least 20 inches per year. I can take temperatures as low as – 20 C (-4 F) and as high as 42 C (107 F). |
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Shang-tong Paulownia ,hardy to zone 5b
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To contact us: |
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David Sutton PO Box 100 Parrottsville, TN 37843 USA |