Re: Choosing a tree

Alexandre, Paulownia will eventually get very large and does grow very fast.  A custom in China was to plant a Paulownia when a female child was born, so the lumber of that tree could be harvested to build a dowry chest when the child reached marrying age.  This tree is now grown for timber because of its fast growth.  I don't think it can take severe frost when it is young, although when I was in Washington state, I saw a mature specimen at a nursery that I could not wrap my arms around because the trunk was so large in circumference.  Some consider the huge leaves messy - but if you are raking them - they are easier to get up than smaller leaves.  I have heard the leaves can be fed as forage to cattle.
 
Chinaberry has a multitude of hard coated seeds, which it holds during Winter, when they drop they don't break down easily and it reseeds itself.  It is becoming an invasive species and I see saplings along roadsides and in fields where birds have transported the seeds.  Sometimes the trees are grown for their berries to use in floral arrangements.
 
Having no experience with Rhus, I recently planted four Rhus lancea to screen and shade my well tank and apparatus.  I got them as multi-trunked with rather sparse foliage in five gallon pots.  Even though I planted them the end of June when the weather had turned hot, they must love the heat as they are now putting on lots of new growth and filling out nicely.  I love the feathery look of the leaves blowing in the wind.  Depending upon how these do, I may be planting more in other locations.
 
Karrie, what a great resource that wonder website is, thanks.
 
Linda Starr
 
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