Paulownia

Other Names:

Paulownia is a genus of from 6 to 17 species (depending on taxonomic authority) of plants in the monogeneric family Paulowniaceae, related to and sometimes included in the Scrophulariaceae.

Description:

They are native to much of China, northern Laos and Vietnam. Cultivated in eastern Asia, including Japan and Korea.

The timber is a pale, whitish or can be a silver grey or light brown or reddish coloured. It is straight. fine-grained, soft, very light, and warp-resistant.

The timber’s characteristics are – lightweight at 250 - 340 kg per cubic metre (heavy balsa density). Stable, easily machined and glued, attractive and stains well. Some describe the timber as being halfway between balsa and poplar in density.

Whatever happened to paulownia, NZFFA

NZ Wood

Advantages:

Grown in New Zealand. Similar characteristics to heavy balsa.

Disadvantages:

Heavier than balsa.

Handling:

Easily worked and glued.

Suppliers:

Paulownia Co.