A member of the Paulowniaceae family, this tree is both ornamental and timber-producing, primarily distributed in China, Korea, and Japan.
It grows incredibly fast and can be harvested in as little as 5 years, yielding valuable wood. These trees can reach heights of up to 20 meters, with a wide, umbelliform canopy.
The bark is brown-gray, and the blossoms are pinkish-violet. Remarkably, this tree can produce up to one cubic meter (m³) of wood in approximately 5–7 years.
Although it is a native Chinese species, it is difficult to locate truly native individuals in Asia due to its widespread cultivation.
This tree grows both in cultivation and in the wild at altitudes below 1,800 meters. Its cultivation has expanded to North America and Europe. It thrives in climatic zone Z-7.5 (tolerating temperatures as low as -13°C), though it is sensitive to cold.
Thanks to its high adaptability, it can grow in a wide range of climates and soil types.
Paulownia wood is considered semi-precious. It is soft, light, yet strong, with a porous, straight-grained texture and a glossy luster. Additionally, it is almost entirely knot-free.
The average specific weight of the wood is 0.35 g/cm³. Paulownia wood is easily air-dried and exhibits no major drying defects.
