Princess Tree (Paulownia)
Paulownia tomentosa • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Generally straight-grained with a very coarse, porous texture. Similar in appearance to ash or chestnut but with much larger pores and a lighter weight. Cathedral figure is common in flat-sawn sections.
Color Description
Heartwood is typically a very light silver-grey to light brown, sometimes with a lavender or reddish hue. Sapwood is yellowish-white and not clearly demarcated from heartwood. Color darkens slightly to a golden brown over time.
Hardness Rating
260-300 lbf (Very Soft)
Durability Rating
Durable to Very Durable regarding rot resistance; however, it is susceptible to insect attack and is not intended for direct ground contact without treatment.
Common Uses
Electric guitar bodies, surfboards, chests (traditionally Japanese Kiri boxes), musical instruments, carvings, veneers, and lightweight furniture.
Geographic Origin
Native to central and western China; widely invasive in Eastern North America and cultivated in plantations worldwide.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$3.00 - $6.00 per board foot for kiln-dried lumber; often found as free waste wood in urban areas due to its invasive status.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly cut (green wood). Visible leaves are wilted but still attached, and cut ends show no significant drying checks or silvering from UV exposure, suggesting it was cut within the last 1-7 days.
Sustainability Status
Highly sustainable due to extremely rapid growth rates (can grow 10 feet in a year). It is considered an invasive species in many parts of the United States.
Workability
Very easy to work with hand and machine tools. Because of its low density, it requires very sharp blades to avoid fuzzy surfaces. Glues and finishes well, though its high porosity requires significant sanding sealer.
Notable Features
Extremely lightweight (one of the lightest hardwoods), exceptionally stable with low shrinkage/warping, and possesses good resonance for instruments. It has a high ignition point compared to other woods.
Finish Recommendations
Requires a sanding sealer or wood filler due to large pores. Responds well to lacquer, polyurethane, and oil finishes. Natural clear coats are best to preserve the silvery-blonde aesthetic.
Identification Confidence
High. The identification is based on the distinctive large, heart-shaped (cordate) leaves visible on the ground and branches, the greyish-brown flaky bark, and the visible light-colored, extremely porous end grain of the cut logs.