Which Paulownia to Choose in France?
A complete guide by region, climate, soil and goal. Z07, Shan Tong, Tomentosa, Fortunei… find the variety best suited to your project.
Paulownia isn't a single tree: it's a family of varieties with very different characteristics. Choosing the right one depends above all on your climate (especially winter cold), your soil and your goal — timber, biomass, ornamental use or agroforestry. This guide helps you decide, region by region.
The 3 criteria that determine your choice
Before comparing varieties, ask yourself these three questions. They alone rule out 80% of poor choices.
1. How cold is your winter?
- This is the number-one criterion in France.
- Harsh winters (East, mountains): you need a very hardy variety.
- Mild climate (coast, South): almost every variety will do.
2. What is your soil?
- Paulownia hates standing water: drainage comes first.
- Heavy/clay soil: improve it, or choose a tolerant variety.
- Deep, well-drained soil: ideal for every variety.
3. What is your goal?
-
Timber / professional plantation: rather the hybrids (Z07, Shan Tong, 950X).
-
Ornamental, shade, beekeeping: rather the pure species (Tomentosa, Fortunei).
-
Biomass / fast hedges: Elongata, 9503, Z07.
Variety overview table
Here is a synthetic overview of the 8 KiriGreen varieties, ranked by cold resistance.
| Variety |
Type |
Cold |
Strengths |
Ideal for |
| Pao Tong Z07 |
Super-hybrid |
−33 °C |
The hardiest, exceptional vigour, highly adaptable |
All regions, including the coldest |
| Shan Tong |
Hybrid |
−28 °C |
European reference, straight trunk, quality timber |
East, North, continental climates |
| Tomentosa |
Pure species |
−25 °C |
Ornamental, melliferous blossom, adapts to all soils |
Ornament, beekeeping, gardens |
| 9501 |
950X hybrid |
−27/−28 °C |
Versatile, highly adaptable, founder of the line |
Timber, windbreak hedges, mixed projects |
| 9502 |
950X hybrid |
−25 °C |
Uniform, stable growth |
Homogeneous professional plantations |
| 9503 Oxytree |
950X hybrid |
−25 °C |
Very productive, adaptable temperate to tropical |
Industrial timber, biomass, high density |
| Fortunei |
Pure species |
−20 °C |
Warm-climate reference, drought/pollution resistant |
South, Mediterranean, subtropical |
| Elongata |
Pure species |
−18 °C |
Ultra-fast growth, slender habit |
Warm climates, hedges, biomass |
Keep in mind: the cold values correspond to established trees. Young plants remain more sensitive during the first 2 years, whatever the variety — protection against late frosts is recommended everywhere.
Which Paulownia for your region?
North & Hauts-de-France
Cold, wet winters and sometimes heavy soils. Favour very hardy varieties and mind standing water: the Z07 and the Shan Tong are the safe bets. Take care of drainage.
Grand Est & continental zones
This is where the cold bites hardest. The Z07 (−33 °C) is the absolute safe choice, followed by the Shan Tong (−28 °C), specifically selected for these climates.
Brittany & Normandy
Mild but wet and windy climate. Hardiness is less critical, but drainage and wind resistance matter. The Shan Tong (straight trunk) and the 9501 are a good fit; for a windbreak hedge, consider the Elongata.
Nouvelle-Aquitaine & South-West
Favourable climate, hot summers. Almost every variety thrives. For timber: Shan Tong or 9503. For a hot, fast project: Fortunei or 9501, which handles heat well.
Occitanie & the Mediterranean
Heat and summer drought. The Fortunei (drought-resistant) and the Elongata are in their element. The 9501 is also a good candidate: it handles heat and dry climates well. The Z07 remains excellent thanks to its broad adaptability. Plan for irrigation in the first years.
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes & mountain areas
Altitude = cold and late frosts. Stick to the hardiest: Z07 as a priority, possibly Shan Tong in the valleys. Avoid warm-climate varieties (Elongata, Fortunei) at altitude.
Which Paulownia for your goal?
Timber / professional plantation
-
Shan Tong: straight trunk, quality timber, European reference.
-
Z07: maximum vigour and hardiness.
-
9502 / 9503: uniform growth, high productivity.
-
Elongata: very fast growth, straight, slender trunk.
Ornamental, shade, beekeeping
-
Tomentosa: spectacular purple blossom, melliferous.
-
Fortunei: large leaves, fragrant flowers.
-
Elongata: lilac blossom, highly ornamental.
- Also available as seeds.
Biomass / fast hedges
-
Elongata: ultra-fast growth, slender habit.
-
9503 Oxytree: high density, biomass.
-
Z07: exceptional vigour.
Agroforestry
-
9501: versatile, windbreak.
-
Shan Tong: rows, timber.
-
Z07: vigorous and highly adaptable, ideal in rows.
- Always adapt spacing to the associated crops.
Mistakes to avoid
-
Choosing a warm-climate variety in a cold zone. An Elongata or a Fortunei in the mountains is likely to struggle: favour the Z07.
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Neglecting drainage. This is the leading cause of failure. Paulownia does not tolerate standing water, whatever the variety.
-
Confusing the 950X. 9501, 9502 and 9503 share the same parents but have distinct characteristics: they are not interchangeable varieties.
-
Expecting profitability without preparation. A good variety choice is no substitute for prepared soil, consistent watering and formative pruning.
In summary
To choose your Paulownia in France, reason in this order: winter cold → soil → goal. If in doubt, the Z07 remains the most versatile and safest choice across the whole country, thanks to its hardiness and adaptability. For warm climates, the Fortunei and the Elongata excel; for ornamental use, the Tomentosa is a must.
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