OUR PLANTATIONS

With our Paulownia plantations, we contribute to the long-term enrichment of nutrients and the ecological health of the agricultural land. Our Paulownia trees have a deep root system. The roots, which grow up to 5 metres deep, can tap nutrients from lower soil layers. With the autumn leaf fall, these nutrients reach the soil surface and are quickly transformed into valuable humus. A natural cycle closes.

Due to its physical properties and appearance, our Paulownia wood can substitute tropical timber. With our plantations located outside the forests, we help to sustainably reduce the pressure on the world’s woodland resources, and protect natural rainforest areas from over-exploitation, illegal deforestation, and destruction.

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PLANTING PAULOWNIA

TEMPERATURE AND ALTITUDE

Paulownia can adapt to a wide range of temperatures. Generally, Paulownia species grow up to 2000 metre. The growth of the tree starts in the spring when the soil temperature reaches 15-16 °C. Intensive cultivation of Paulownia is optimal up to 700-800 metres altitude and the optimal temperatures suitable for maximal growth are in the range of 24-33°C.

THE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE PLANTATIONS

Paulownia is a tree that adapts easily to a wide variety of soil and climatic conditions. However, this adaptability should not lead to misjudgement when deciding to establish a commercial plantation.

While, on the one hand, there are indeed Paulownias that grow in very hot or very cold regions and in soils that can be very sandy or clayey, this should not lead an investor to assume that in any climate and in any soil, a Paulownia plantation can grow in conditions that provide adequate growth rates, wood quality and profitability.

Although some Paulownia hybrids can survive temperatures ranging from -30 to +45°C, it is not advisable to start growing Paulownia commercially if the temperatures is well below 0°C for extended periods.

Although the plant will not die, if it does not reach a certain degree of woodiness on the trunk, it may burn, leading to the necessity of a technical cut in late winter.

The plant survives even in very high temperature, but its growth is delayed during prolonged very warm periods.

SOIL

Paulownia is highly adaptive species and grows well on many types of soils. Most appropriate and recommended are light, well drained, and sandy soils with or without slopes. Most recommended are deep well drained soils with pH from 5.0 to 8.0.

It is better to avoid clay, rocky and soaked soils. Soils that consist of over 25% of clay with a porosity under 50% are not recommended for Paulownia. Soil containing gravel or small to medium-sized stones are also suitable.

Paulownia does not tolerate salinity over 1%.

Young Paulownia plants develop well when the soil depth is at least 1.5-2 meters.

Given the root system that the plant develops, it is important that the soil is deep and that there are no aquifers or rocky banks in at least the first three meters of depth.

As mentioned above, Paulownia suffers from stagnant water and a high degree of salinity. Therefore, swampy soils and brackish water should be avoided.

For the plants to grow quickly and produce good quality wood, it will be important to make the necessary annual fertilizer inputs, which can be chemical or organic. A chemical and physical analysis of the soil should be studied to establish an adequate fertilization program. As mentioned earlier, biochar produced from branches of the same plantation could be used for organic fertilization of the plants, which would considerably reduce the number of other fertilizers.

WIND

Plantation is good to be planted at areas without strong winds reaching over 28 km/h. When there are stronger winds at the place of planting stabilizing post must be put during the first year of development until they form strong wooden stem. The speed of the wind is dangerous for the young plants over 45 km/h and such areas must be avoided.

Paulownia suffers from high winds, so areas with wind speeds exceeding 50 km/h are not recommended. In case of frequent winds above 30 km/h, the use of bracing may be recommended until the trunk is sufficiently wooded.

The tree is extremely wind-resistant and can withstand strong winds throughout the growth period without bending the trunk.

You are amazed at how little the tree sways in the wind.

WATER

The characteristics of Paulownia, as already mentioned, are a developed root system and the size of the leaves; it is the large leaves, if, on the one hand, they favour a very rapid growth of the plant through photosynthesis, on the other hand, they cause high levels of evapotranspiration (understood as the amount of water released that needs to be recovered), obviously higher in the hot seasons. In the Ukrainian latitudes, the warm seasons have always been characterized by low precipitation and, therefore, a water supply through irrigation systems is necessary to achieve adequate growth levels.

Soil and air humidity are very important for Paulownia growing. Additional watering is necessary if the annual rainfall drop under 100mm per month. In comparison 10mm of rain delivers 10 litres of water. Watering is needed in the following years if the monthly rainfall is under 50mm. Insufficient watering slows the growth but does not kill the plant. For optimal growth during the first months of development is crucially important to water them with 20l per plant weekly. The quantity is good to be divided in two equal times and added by drip irrigation system. The establishment of drip irrigation is recommended technology when develop commercial plantation for Paulownia.

Paulownia requires watering for 1-2 years on marginal lands, but can do without IF the capillary tear is sufficient to bind the water in the surface in summer, otherwise it MUST be watered with at least 2 x 2 litres of water weekly during the growing season.

SUN

Light is a fundamental element for the growth of Paulownia, a plant that loves the sun and needs it for very rapid growth. To this end, it is important to assess the total number of hours of light in the planting area as well as an appropriate planting pattern to ensure that the plants are not too close together to shade each other, which significantly slows down the growth rate of the trees within the planting.

SITE PREPARATION

Usually, Paulownia is planted during spring and mid-summer in dependence of the development stage of the planting material /one year old saplings or young planting material/ and prefers horizontal or south orientated slopes. As all young trees, Paulownia plants should be well protected from herbivorous animals. Site preparation operations will depend on the roughness and vegetation of the planting site. Old fields and meadows typically require herbicide treatment to control weeds and brush. When the weeds are strong early in spring an herbicide treatment must be applied carefully to avoid contact with the tree stem…more

Machinery cultivation prior planting

If the fields are not explored for agriculture and the soil is not cultivated it is necessary to plough it deeply (minimum 40-60cm). The purpose is to fragment it in small pieces and to uproot the old grasses and bushes. If the soil is heavier and with clay, you must plough deeply up to 80cm.After plough the land have to be levelled up with harrow. After that operation the land is considered ready for furrow and marking and making of holes for planting. In dependence of the soil quality defined from the preliminary soil analyses at the place of planting the soil is enriched with manure or different fertilizers.

Paulownia for timber production

When creating a plantation for timber we recommend the planting scheme with 5х5 meters between the trees which means 400 trees per hectare.

Larger density leads to competition between the trees and slower growth after the first 3-4 years. Lower density leads to faster initial growth which lowers the timber quality.

Higher density does not lead to commercial benefits, the necessity of elimination of plants creates expenses for eradication and herbicide treatment to stop the regeneration from the roots and in the end the 3-4 years old stems does not possess enough volume to be used for timber.

Paulownia for biomass

For effective yields the trees should be planted with higher density than the one used for timber production. The density should be between 3500 and 10 000 plants per hectare which depends on the rotation cycles of for the biomass collection strongly linked to the purposes of the biomass (pellets, chips, bioethanol, fodder) and the harvest machines.

MAINTENANCE OF THE PLANTATIONS

To produce a high-quality wood care must be taken of the trees. Although it can withstand frost it should be protected as much as possible in the first years of growth.

Unwanted branches should be removed to achieve proper trunk shape and height, both of which contribute to premium wood when it’s time to harvest the trees.

When taken care of property the trunk can reach a branch-free height of 6 to 8 meters.

The tree needs a lot of light, meaning a proper spacing between trees is important. We recommend five meters on all sides.

Planting paulownia tree is an easy and rewarding endeavour. Paulownia trees are fast-growing trees that can be used for a variety of purposes, from providing shade to being used for timber. If you want to plant paulownia trees, there are several requirements to ensure their success.

The first requirement for planting paulownia trees is the quality of the soil. Paulownia trees prefer well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 7.0-7.2. If the soil is too acidic or alkaline, the tree may not survive. If the soil is too sandy or clay-like, it should be amended with compost or other organic matter.

The second requirement for planting paulownia trees is regular watering. Paulownia trees require plenty of water to stay healthy and vigorous. During the first year, the tree should be watered at least once a week, especially during periods of drought. Once the tree is established, it will not need as much water, but it is still important to water during dry spells.

The third requirement for planting paulownia trees is fertilization. Applying the correct fertilizer to the soil can help the tree grow and thrive. It is important to use a fertilizer specifically formulated for paulownia trees. Slow-release fertilizers, such as controlled-release or liquid fertilizers, are best, as they provide a steady supply of nutrients throughout the growing season.

The fourth requirement for planting paulownia trees is adequate sunlight. Paulownia trees need at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. If the tree is planted in a shady area, it may not grow as quickly or as lushly as it would in a sunny spot.

By following these requirements, you can be sure to have a healthy and vibrant paulownia tree in your garden. With the right soil, water, fertilizer, and sunlight, your tree will thrive and provide you with years of beautiful shade and foliage.

Maintenance

The Paulownia tree is a low-maintenance tree, requiring no pruning or fertilizing to thrive. Low maintenance seedlings: Prepared, quality seedlings of the Paulownia tree with a strengthened root system can grow on infertile soils, including clay soils.