User:TedtheTreeMan/Paulownia australis

Paulownia Australis (also known as the Phoenix Tree) is a deciduous tree in the Paulowniaceae family, genus Paulownia and is native to Australia. Unlike its Chinese cousin’s, the Paulownia Tomentosa and Paulownia Elongata, the Paulownia Australis is not an invasive species and is not listed as such on the USDA Invasive Species List. Growth of 10 to 20 feet per year is common in the first years; with growth rates slowing down after the third year and maximum heights exceeding 80 feet not uncommon is properly fertilized. This tree has very large heart-shaped leaves in early developmental stages. Leaves can reach 24-48 inches in diameter in the first and second years, but get smaller as the tree gets larger, with mature leaves measuring only 6-8 inches across. To get maximum heights quickly, growers often pollard the young trees, which insures massive growth of young trees.

This tree will produce flowers starting in the 3rd year and continue on for life. The flowers bloom in early spring in the US, before the leaves and last approximately 5-6 weeks. The panicles reach approximately 4-11 inches long with corolla (tubular in shape and lavender in color) of approximately 1.5 to 3 inches in length. The fruit of the Paulownia Australis is a dry oval shaped capsule about 1 to 1.5 inches long and it contains numerous tiny sterile seeds.

Paulownia Australis can survive a multitude of natural disasters including fires, tornados, hurricanes and the like because the roots will regenerate new stems that grow very fast. It is also known as the Phoenix Tree, but it is not clear if that is because of its regenerative powers or because legend has it that it is the only tree the Phoenix bird will land in. This tree is grown in almost all soil types and will tolerate polluted water and air very well, making excellent for toxic clean-up areas. The leaves are extremely high in nitrogen and have a nutritional equivalent to alfalfa, leading many Australian ranchers to bail the leaves and feed them to livestock in the winter.

Used primarily as a forestry tree in Australia, it is commonly known as the fastest growing of all the Paulownia Species and considered by many as the fastest growing hardwood tree in the world and may reach heights of 20 feet in the first year. The wood of this tree is a hardwood that has a variety of uses, most commonly in making musical instruments, furniture and cabinetry and this author believes it will have a huge impact on the pallet industry in the future. These trees can reach harvestable sizes in as little as 4-5 years. Growing in a wide range of climates, this tree does well in all soil types, however, the only draw-back to this tree is it will not do well in low-lying wet areas or at high altitudes.