The wood of the future is
available for purchase now
World Tree is planting Empress Splendor in an effort to restore our planet by providing an eco-timber solution that sequesters several tons of carbon annually.
Paulownia (fortunei & elongata) lumber has many characteristics that make it attractive to buyers in various segments of the lumber market.
Empress Splendor Lumber is a light, strong hardwood, known as the “aluminum of hardwood”. Its high-growth rate, carbon sequestration, and soil-enhancing properties make it an ideal eco-timber, appealing to green consumers looking for environmentally friendly products.
The Empress Splendor Trees produce a blond timber with a long, straight grain, which air dries quickly with low shrinkage and does not easily warp, crack, or deform. The wood density is very low, making it one of the lightest timbers available on the market. Its commercial importance is due to its high strength-to-weight ratio, excellent insulating properties, and resistance to rot.
I have not encountered a single person who is not shocked at how light this lumber is when they pick it up, and it is much stronger than its closest competitors such as cedar and pine. It presents an option to the industry for truly sustainable lumber that can be grown as a crop instead of being harvested from the forest.
– Matt Snooke, Supervisor
“It is very easy to sculpt, by sanding or with wood tools, and for a hardwood, this is pretty amazing…. It is also a very steady wood, it doesn’t warp and doesn’t chip, all very important for artwork, framing and furniture.”
– Katrien Van der Schueren, Owner & Artist
I had never seen or worked with paulownia prior to this project and was initially skeptical that this incredibly light, but strong, wood would have the necessary tonal properties to make a good stringed instrument. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this remarkable resource.
– Bernie Funston, Owner
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