The Patented Trees from WeGrow GmbH, Germany
Fast growing Paulownia Trees are known since 2,600 years; however, only now the patented WeGrow hybrids are available, which produce wood that is suitable for commercial use. Over the past 10 years, our Tree Partner, WeGrow GmbH, Germany, has developed patented hybrid trees, that are ideally suited for different climatic zones. Hundreds of hectares of WeGrow hybrid trees have already been planted in highly successful commercial plantations across Europe and Africa, in different climatic zones.
The patented hybrid trees so far are: * Phoenix One® Tree * NordMax21® * H2F3® * H2F4®
When being planted in the right conditions, as we will ensure, our trees will grow more than 5 meters tall within the very first year itself! And while growing at this unbelievable pace, they absorb 14 times more CO2 during the initial 8-10 years than any other tree on earth!!
When being planted simply for Tree Coverage & CO2 absorbtion, our patented trees, which are being crafted in order to be ideally suited for specific climatic zones, can grow for 80-100 years. When planted in commercial plantation for the purpose of wood production (besides numerous additional advantages that come along with each plantation!), they can be harvested after 7-10 years, depending on the climatic zone and the accordingly chosen patented hybrid.
One of the multiple advantages of the WeGrow hybrids is that after harvesting them, the tree grows again from the remaining stem; no uprooting and new planting needed – and this time even faster than when it grew the first time! In our commercial plantations India we can plan a minimum 4 growth cycles = 4 harvests within 28-32 years in most areas across India. In colder regions (e.g. higher areas in the himalayas etc) one growth cycle will be around 10 years (due to extended winters etc), and therefore 4 cycles around 40 years.
Yet another advantage is that our hybrid trees cannot reseed itself; i.e. uncontrolled spreading cannot happen.
Mentioned below are some of the key advantages of Paulownia trees that the report points out; and that are explicitly inbuilt in the tissue-culture Paulownia trees trees available with us:
a.) Very high survival rate of planted seedlings
Due to their properties, plus our in-house hardening in our nursery before planting them, in our plantations more than 90% of seedlings survive and thrive.
b.) Extremely fast growing
Our seedlings grow up to 6 meter in the1st year. When planted in suitable soil, water and weather conditions, the trees will be ready for felling after 6-8 years, depending on trees and environment. E.g. most teak trees need 15-25 years.
c.) Highest CO2 binding of all trees, worldwide
Average mixed forests with leafy trees bind/store 5-6 Metric Tonnes (MT) of Carbon/CO2 per year; though during the first 3-10 years it will be far less. On the other hand – One hectare of our German Phoenix One® Tree bind approx 40 MT per Year! Due to the extremely fast growth rates of our trees, the difference in CO2 storage capacities is even greater during the initial 7-10 years of the plantation as during this time our trees bind approx 14 times more carbon than most other trees.
d.) Lightest Hard/Precious Wood on earth
1 cubic meter of wood of the German Phoenix One® Tree weighs just 280/310kg/m3! In comparison, the weight of teak wood is approx. 450-500kg/m3. This weight advantage translates in substantial cost savings for transport, construction costs, etc.
e.) Very wide range of usage of the wood of the German Phoenix One® Tree
Some of the main areas for which the wood has absolutely ideal features and parameters are: * Construction – especially also outdoors * Facades * Doors & Windows * Plywood & Veneers * Furniture * Interiors * Ceilings & Flooring * Boat Building * Aircraft, Ship & Car Interiors * Sports Equipment incl. cricket bats etc. * Pellets for highly efficient, sustainable Energy Generation * Paper * Bio Fuel * Packaging material; Fodder for Livestock; high protein (18%) * Honey* Perfume * Cosmeceuticals for liver, kidney, lungs etc.
f.) Very low water consumption
With drip irrigation one tree requires just 10 liter of water per day; which means it consumes just 83 Liter for producing 1 Kg of wood. In comparison, Eucalyptus trees require 7,000 Liter per Kg.
g.) Tree grows again from the stump
After cutting – no new seedling needed! Usually, after harvesting a plantation, the tree stumps must be removed etc., which is a costly and tedious effort. In our case this is not needed, instead the tree re-grows immediately.
h.) Excellent for Reclaiming Fallow & Waste Land, Mined Areas, etc.
Our plantations contribute to the long-term enrichment of nutrients and the ecological health of the agricultural land. The roots grow up to 5 metres deep and they tap nutrients from lower soil layers. With the autumn leaf-fall, these nutrients reach the soil surface and are quickly transformed into valuable humus. A natural cycle closes. As a result of this natural process, our plantations improve the soil quality as well as water storing capacities of the underground.
i.) Ideal for Intercropping; no loss of crop near the tree
Due to its deep root system, enhanced moisture circulation of its large leaves and very narrow crown, the Paulownia Phoenix-1 is the ideal tree for intercropping with a wide variety of crops; incl. with wheat, tea & coffee plantations etc..There is literally zero loss of crops next to the tree.
j.) Naturally resistant to termites, wood fritters, black carpenter ants & other pests
Due to high tannin content the German Phoenix One® Tree is one of the few trees that are naturally resistant to most wood-feeding pests.
k.) No coppicing after planting = reduced growth cycle by 1-2 years
Our Nursery
Our Nurseries are being conceptualised and set up exactly in accordance with the successfully implemented concept of our German Tree Plant Partner – WeGrow GmbH, Germany; incl. specially designed roller-table systems, which enable a true-to-nature toughening of our plants. Here we carry out another cultivation step, lasting several weeks, to help to prepare and strengthen them, before actually planting in our plantations. We inoculate the young plants with symbiotic microorganisms, and so promote the formation of homogeneous root systems and strong shoots, increasing their resilience and enabling them for uniform, fast growth.
Our Plantations
Before accepting any site for a commercial plantation project, we commence several analysis, incl. soil testing, water quality and availability analysis, weather patterns, approachability, potentially influencing factors within the vicinity of the plantation, risk and viability analysis, to name a few parameters of the multi-factorial evaluation process. We accept only plantation sites that are perfectly suitable in order to ensure an absolutely successful plantation. With each Plantation Partner we set up a dedicated SPV for the respective plantations. This ensures utmost security, clearly outlined accountabilities, work and cash flow, etc.
We commence the planning, preparation and supervision of the plantation sites well in time before the planned planting date. Preparations include soil preparation, fencing, underground and above ground drip irrigation, infrastructure creation, security set up, staff training, and much more.
For our plantations we use specialised planting equipment, incl. dedicated GPS technology. This uniquely precise approach enables us to achieve a maximum utilisation of the plantation area.
Key Operation Management Aspects for our Plantations are:
• Site Analysis
• Site Planning and Site Preparation Supervision, incl. Fencing, Infrastructure, Land Development, Installation of Irrigation systems, etc.
• Planting
• Plantation maintenance
• Harvesting
• Re-cultivation after harvest, for the 2nd growth cycle
• Sales of wood and other agricultural products
Wood of the German Phoenix One® Tree
It is for good reason that Paulownia is known as the “aluminum” of wood, and the “Lightweight Champion”. Its honeycomb cell structure gives the wood its uniquely high relative strength. Combined with its exclusive grain pattern, it is the in-demand modern material for furniture manufacture, natural interior design and sustainable building. The patented trees of our planting partner, WeGrow, Germany, further enhance the general qualities, which makes our wood so unique.
The market for Phoenix One® Tree is large and growing year-on-year; especially also as the wood is perfectly suitable to replace the far heavier and more expensive teak and other timber.
Following are some of the main industries and usages, for which the wood of our Phoenix One® Tree Wood is ideally suited; and slated to replace many of the woods currently used for it:
a.) Construction
b.) Wooden Facades
c.) Doors & Windows
d.) Plywood & Veneers
e.) Furniture
f.) Interiors
g.) Ceilings & Floorings
h.) Crockery & Cutlery
i.) Musical Instruments
j.) Boat Building
k.) Aircraft, Ship & Car Interiors
l.) Sports Equipment; incl. cricket bats, surfboards, skis, snowboards etc.
m.) Pellets for highly efficient, sustainable Energy Generation; they don‘t absorb humidity
n.) Paper
o.) BioFuel
p.) Packaging material, low weight = saving transport cost
Environmental & Ecological Impact of our Plantations
For our partners, WeGrow, Germany and us, acting responsibly means that we follow an integrated approach to environmental protection in the course of all our work. Our projects promote climate protection, conserve valuable resources and contribute to the preservation of an environment worth living in, both on our sites and beyond.
With our sustainable wood production based on Agro Forestry, we successfully combine business efficiency with positive ecological and social aspects, including job creation and skill enhancement programs.
With our fast growing trees and plantations we sustainably reduce the pressure on the world’s vastly depleted forests, and help to thereby protect natural rainforest areas from over-exploitation, illegal deforestation and destruction.