The key to a successful Paulownia plantation is making sure your site is suitable for growing these trees. A World Tree representative will be available at every step of the process. Paulownia trees prefer well-drained clay loam soils. Although Paulownia can grow in a wide range of climates and soils, there are several factors to consider that can inhibit growth or affect the quality of Paulownia grown for commercial purposes. Steps can be taken to help mitigate some of these risks, depending on how serious the problem is.
Factors to consider
- High clay content (+60%)
- Compaction
- Excessively low pH (< 5)
- Risk from grazing animals
- Poor drainage
- Drought or low rainfall
- Excessively rocky soil
If the crops on your property are continually in the presence of grazing animals such as cows, sheep or goats, we will need to look at options for mitigating their impact before planting, and/or put a management plan in place so that both activities can be carried out without causing a problem for the development and quality of the trees.
Silvopasture, or including livestock with your crops, is an excellent way to use your property while the trees grow, but you need to wait to bring in cows or other grazing animals until the trees have gained substantial height and diameter. This usually happens from the first or second year after planting.
After making initial contact with a World Tree representative, we will begin our online land verification process. For this we will need the farm plans, GPS coordinates or an address for your property.
Depending on the location and timing, you will be asked to collect soil samples for analysis, or a World Tree representative will come to your site to carry out an assessment and help you with the soil samples.
Soil analysis
Our advisor will help you take the samples for the soil analysis, which will then need to be taken or sent by Correos de Costa Rica (the national post) to the laboratory of your choice. You will be responsible for sending and paying for the soil samples. Prices vary depending on the laboratory. Below are three laboratories you can use.
If you take the sample yourself, keep the following in mind:
- We recommend analyzing three composite samples for every 3 to 5 hectares: two composite samples for chemical analysis, one at a depth of 20 cm and the second at a depth of 45 cm, and one composite sample for physical analysis at a depth of 30 cm.
- A composite sample is a soil sample made by taking soil from several points in the lot or plot, called subsamples, which are collected in a container or bag and mixed well; the total sample is then quartered (subdivided) to end up with 0.5 kg of soil. We recommend taking between 12 and 15 subsamples for each lot or plot sampled. Label the samples you take (place, date and depth).
- Subsamples can be taken with a narrow spade, a shovel or an auger.
The parameters we normally look to evaluate are:
- pH (ideally 5.1 to 6.5)
- Nutrient availability
- Soil texture
Together, all this information will allow us to create a map of your planting area. It will also give us a better idea of how to approach site preparation and plantation management.