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PAULOWNIA

Paulownia tomentosa
Paulownia tomentosa of the family Scrophulariaceae

Also known as princess tree and empress tree, this is primarily an ornamental landscape tree and has the distinction of being one of the fastest growing trees in world, if not THE fastest growing (aside from bamboo, which is technically not a tree but a grass). The wood is lightweight, fairly soft, and easy to work although sometimes the presence of silica causes tool dulling. It is widely used for carving in Japan (the tree in indiginous to China and Japan but has been successfully replanted in the Americas --- some believe TOO successfully, and it is sometimes considered an invasive species)

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my samples:


sample plank and end grain


end grain closeup of the piece directly above

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The Wood Book pics

flat cut

quartersawn

end grain
paulownia from The Wood Book --- both levels of enlargement are avaiable for all 3 views

Why the wood book images are so much darker than what I have experienced with the wood, I do not know

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web pics:


planks with dubious orange tint


planks, all from the same vendor


planks


bookmatched plank set


planks and closeup


plank and closeup


plank moistened with water


crotch slab