Is there a Paulownia market out there?? I need help!!

nak0218

I am hoping to start a Paulownia orchard and before I do this, I need to figure out if there is someone out there to buy it! I hear it's a great tree for furniture, musical instruments, etc. but who should I reach out to to find out? Help please! Any leads or info

MrDiesel

I have seen Paulownia tomentosa in an orchid near Richmond, NSW, Australia.

Pete

I'd be very careful about Pawlonia. Do lots of research. It has been marketed as a wonder tree in the past by people with vested interests. Species selection is the easy part, the trees will be in the ground for a long time. Consider also that a crop has value even before it is harvested if it is well-grown, well managed and a sought-after species.

I read years ago a WA forestry report which said that if the ground is good enough for Pawlonia to thrive it's just about good enough to grow asparagus or other high value crops. From what I know fast-grown soft timbers like Pawlonia are rarely if ever wanted for quality musical instruments.

Pete

Drouin Tree Service

Dont bother that fad was 15+ years ago,nothing more than a weed here.

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Drouin Tree Services | Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland | Landclearing Melbourne

nak0218

Thanks so much everyone. This makes me a little hesitant about these trees. Bummer.

Pete

No worries. It is a very good thing to maximise your design input into any decision you'll be living with for a long time. Here's something else to ponder:

Arborsmith Studios

and also:
Pooktre Tree Shapers

This all evolved partly from the "Tree Circus". Here are some images of those trees:

tree circus - Google Search

I'd also sniff around the woodworkers and what they would like to be able to get more of in your country. Remember also that the most successful trees need to be really suited to your area and that pruning branches with great care can add lots of value to your timber in trees. In fact it is a fundamental part of our industry and derived from Alex Shigo's work on the cause of rot in timber trees.
all the best
Pete