lightweight

Kiri / Paulownia

Description
The Chinese princess or foxglove tree (Paulownia tomentosa) belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family. The tree is native to East Asia and originates from central China. It is sometimes planted as a decorative tree in parks in warmer regions of Europe.

It can reach a height of 10-15 metres with a maximum trunk diameter of 50-60 cm and has a blue to blue-violet blossom and large leaves.

In Japan its wood is known as Kiri. It is usually used to make musical instruments or for furniture, for instance cupboards used to store kimonos.

The researcher Philipp Franz von Siebold introduced the foxglove tree to Europe in 1840 and gave it its Latin name in honour of Anna Pawlowna, daughter of the Russian Tsar Paul I.

Applications
- Furniture
- Musical instruments
- Plywood
- Blockboard