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History and Description
History and uses of the
Paulownia tree - For centuries the Chinese have grown Paulownia, also
known as Empress and Sapphire trees for beauty and for highly prized timber.
Paulownia is a fast growing, lightweight timber which is used in the making
of moldings, cabinets, veneers, furniture, and even musical instruments. In
Japan when a girl child is born they plant a Paulownia tree for her and when
she marries they build her wedding chest from the tree. They also believed
that the tree should be planted by the house so the Phoenix would come and
protect them, and bring good luck.
Genus and species - The genus of the Paulownia
trees is Scrophulariaceae. There are over 12 different
species of Paulownia growing in the different climates within China. The
Dragon tree family is made up of four of these highly prized species.
Kawakamii Dragon Tree (Paulownia
Kawakamii) note: "full sun is best"
1. Mature height (in 3 yrs): - - - - - 30 feet: (1styr: 12/18' -- 2ndyr:
20/25' -- 3rdyr: 28/30')
2. Blossoming (2nd/3rd yr): - - - - 6 weeks in spring. Color: sapphire
blue, yellow center.
3. Temperature range: - - - - (0 to +120) degrees - drops leaves in winter.
4. Soil conditions: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - well drained is
best, light to heavy clay is ok.
5. Soil ph: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5.5 to
8.5 (6.5 is the optimum ph level).
6. Limitations: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Trees will not do well in
overly wet soils or salt sea air.
7. Root system: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Multiple tap roots - 15 to
20 feet deep - if possible.
8. Fertilizer: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - High
nitrogen, chicken manure is best.
9. Water: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Soak deeply once or twice a
week for first two years.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - When roots reach maturity,
water requirement very low.
Basic Planting Instructions
1. Plant your Dragon tree in full sun. Partial shade will work but full
sun is best.
2. Dig a hole two feet square and two feet deep, are larger if soil is
poor.
3. Fill with good topsoil mixed 50/50 with potting soil and or peat moss.
4. Make a dished out area in the top of the soil mix and plant your tree
in the center.
5. Fill the dished out area with water and soak all new soil deeply.
6. Be sure to let soil dry out in between watering, soak deeply each time
you water.
7. In the heat of summer (90 and above) water 2 to 3 times a week. (soak
deeply)
8. To feed your tree, add high nitrogen fertilizer to water once a week
for first season.
- Feeding your tree is not a requirement, but is needed for best result.
Note: If you plant your tree in an area of the
yard that is watered with a sprinkler system, you must water the tree
deeply as if it was not watered at all. The reason for this: If you
water the tree only with the sprinkler system, the water will not go deep
and the roots of the tree will grow out under the grass looking for water.
As these roots grow larger they can cause problems. If you water deeply, the
roots will grow down, keeping the yard clear.
Note: - Do not use any form of insecticide or
weed-killer anywhere near your tree. All Paulownia trees are
highly sensitive to poisons and will die or be severely damaged if exposed
to them. (1)
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Genus: Paulownia (pa-LOH-nee-uh) (More Info)
Species: kawakamii (ka-wak-am-ee-eye) (More Info)
Height:
30-40 ft. (9-12 m)
Spacing:
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 6a (-20.6° C to -23.3° C)
USDA Zone 6b (-17.8° C to -20.5° C)
USDA Zone 7a (-15° C to -17.7° C)
USDA Zone 7b (-12.3° C to -14.9° C)
USDA Zone 8a (-9.5° C to -12.2° C)
USDA Zone 8b (-6.7° C to -9.4° C)
USDA Zone 9a (-3.9° C to -6.6° C)
USDA Zone 9b (-1.2° C to -3.8° C)
USDA Zone 10a (1.6° C to -1.1° C)
USDA Zone 10b (4.4° C to 1.7° C)
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Bloom Color:
Violet/Lavender
Bloom Time:
Mid Spring
Foliage:
Deciduous
Other details:
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Flowers are fragrant
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping (2)
Paulownia 'kawakamii' (Paulownia tomentosa)
Sapphire Dragon Tree
Also know as The Empress Tree, this beautiful, fast growing,
large leaved member of the figwort family, marketed these days as a quick
shade tree.
(3)
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