Travel Notes From China Part 2

by James Lawrence
(Founder / Manager TGG)

Many thanks to Prof. Sun for taking me on a guided tour to see Paulownia plantations and a music instrument factory that uses Paulownia timber. Thanks also to Prof. Wang and his colleagues for their hospitality and kindly taking time out to meet with me and discuss Paulownia.

Prof. Sun (in blue jeans) with colleagues at PRDC Experimental plantation

The 70 hectare Paulownia Research and Development Centre's Experimental Paulownia plantation in Henan province was planted in 1997 and contains various clones grown under different management regimes.

Paulownia grow best with excellent drainage and a low water table. The trees in the PRDC Experimental plantation have favourable conditions, growing on the fertile ancient flood plain of the Huang He (Yellow) River.

An unpruned section of the PRDC Experimental plantation

A moderately pruned section of the PRDC Experimental plantation

This PRDC clone preservation plantation has received no management at all, hence the poor growth.

visit to Lankao - Paulownia country, including instrument factory