The Kiri Tree

kiri tree  (桐)

It is popular in its native China for reforestation, roadside planting and as an ornamental tree. The Chinese species is called Paulownia.  It grows well in a wide variety of soil types, notably poor ones, but needs a lot of light and does not like a high water table because of this it is perfect for Texas.  Paulownia timber is a pale whitish colored wood with a straight grain.  Its characteristics of rot resistance and a very high ignition point ensures the timber's popularity in the world market. The wood is also important in China, Korea, and Japan for making the soundboards of stringed musical instruments such as the gain, guzheng, pipe, Kyoto, and kayagum.  In world war II the wood was used in the Japanese Zero aircraft because of its light weight and great strength. The tree is known to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions ten times more than the average tree and also in return produce ten times more oxygen (O2).  It loves toxic waste and can be used to assist in organic remediation throughout the world. 

Paulownia is its Chinese relative, the sub species in Japan is Kiri.  Known in Japanese as kiri (桐), specifically referring to P. tomentosa; it is also known as the "princess tree".   It has been known as the Japanese Empress Tree in Japan.  It was once customary to plant a Paulownia tree when a baby girl was born, and then to make it into a dresser as a wedding present when she gets married. It is the badge of the government of Japan (vis-à-vis the chrysanthemum being the Imperial Seal of Japan). It is one of the suits in hanafuda, associated with the month of December. Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia (page 1189; Tokyo: Kodansha, 1993. ISBN 4-06-931098-3) states: The genus was named in honor of Queen Anna Pavlovna of The Netherlands (1795–1865), daughter of Tsar Paul I of Russia to copy the tradition given by the Japanese in honor of the princess. Paulownia fortune is a fast-growing tree that is grown commercially for the production of hardwood timber.  Paulownia wood is very light, fine-grained, soft, and warp-resistant and is used for chests, boxes, and clogs (get). The wood is burned to make charcoal for sketching and powder for fireworks, the bark is made into a dye, and the leaves are used in vermicide preparations.  Japanese Shinto Shrines and Chests use wood made from the Kiri Tree and are some of the oldest and useable wood artifacts in existence.  The Japanese constructed their Air force from this tree during WWII.  Today it is the number one tree recognized for Sustainable Forestry and for pollution reduction.

日本語

More recently, it is being used to turn Texas Green.

Kiri Trees in Texas


 

Due to current severe changes in our Earth’s environment, it has become clear that the human race must transform rapidly and do something equally as tremendous in order to maintain a well-balanced existence with our Planet.  One of the most effective and natural methods for detoxifying our Planet comes to us as a magnificent gift from Japan called the Kiri Tree, which is also referred to as the Japanese Empress Tree, and the Paulownia Tree. The benefits of this tree are boundless and amazing. Not only does the Kiri Tree absorb ten times more CO₂ than any other tree but also, it soaks up toxicity in the air, dirt, and water and then expels a massive amount of Oxygen.  In fact, the Kiri Tree flourishes and loves toxic soil and water. It is safe to say that it is the fastest growing tree on the planet. When planted from a seed and grown for eight years, it will be the same size as a 40-year-old Oak tree.

These very unique characteristics make the Kiri Tree the perfect tree for Texas. Texas suffers from extremely contaminated soil, air, and water, which has a harmful effect on all of its residents. So, in order to get the Kiri Tree Revolution started in Texas, Chris Sanders has begun planting seeds and clones to see which genetics will be the toughest survivors in the Texas climate. This Wonder Tree can help purify Texas and make it Green again! It is such a blessing that the Kiri Tree loves toxicity, lots of sunshine, and will reduce the CO₂ levels in our environment.  Since no one has planted Kiri Trees in Texas yet, Chris will be taking pictures and documenting all of the activity so that we have the knowledge to help plant these trees all over Texas and eventually all over the United States!

Kiri Inc.,

We own the license for the Kiri Tree and have passed our species as non invasive in the States of California and Hawaii.  These are the hardest states for invasive requirements.  This is a licensed seed and clone.  Interested parties may contact us regarding tree leases at:   sustainableangels@gmail.com

The First Visible Germination
"How it started in America"

We planted our seeds in Jiffy Peat Pellets that we sat in a water tray.
You can buy this at Wal-Mart for $6.50 for a 72 peat tray.


 
The seeds are tiny and look like little flakes of skin and are extremely fragile.

Only ten days after we sowed the seeds, we began to notice bright
green little sprouts poking their heads through the Peat Pellets.
We have watered it with a small dose of Seaweed Extract mixed with the water.

We make sure to give the little trees LOTS of Sunshine!

Day Three

 

The Life of a Kiri Tree

きり
kiri was the most popular of Japanese crest motifs. "According to Chinese legend, the mythical phoenix... alights only in the branches of the Paulownia tree when it comes to earth and eats only the seed of the bamboo."

"As an explicitly imperial crest, the Paulownia ranks only slightly behind the chrysanthemum, and both are usually taken as the dual emblems of the Japanese throne." In the early 13th century the emperor Godaigo bestowed both crests upon the head of the Ashikaga clan. With that the bestowing of the Paulownia motif was also an Ashikaga prerogative which they used to reward loyalty. The recipient clans wore it as a symbol of "legitimacy and power." In the 16th century, Hideyoshi, who was born a commoner, after adopting it as his own crest also gave out the motif to some of his most loyal supporters. By the late feudal period nearly 20% of the warrior class wore it as their own personal crest.

Source and quotes from: The Elements of Japanese Design, by John W. Dower, pp. 68-9.

Farmers once planted kiri trees upon the birth of a daughter because it was so fast growing that by the time she was ready to marry the tree could be cut down and made into a tansu or chest.

"The name kiri came from the kiru (to cut) as it was believed that the tree would grow better and quicker when it was cut down often." It can grow to more than 30' in height and has fragrant purplish blossoms in April or May.

Source and quote from: Mock Joya's Things Japanese, pp. 358-9.

The image to the left on the bottom is the seal used predominantly by Kuniyoshi.  It is important to note that he did not always use it and that certain students of his also used it occasionally too.

The Phoenix

The phoenix, ho-o, is the bird of immortality in the east as in the west, but in Asia its immortality is gained from sipping dew from the flowers of the Paulownia, kiri, tree.  Thus this bird, which is represented as having attributes of a peacock, a quail, or even sometimes an owl, is usually seen with Paulownia leaves and flowers, the latter being held upright as on the tsutsugaki futon covers, appearing when there are leaves on the tree.  The phoenix and Paulownia were probably most often used for marriage quilts, though there is a question of whether or not the peacock-tailed bird on the child's futon cover in our Tsutsugaki section isn't in fact a young phoenix.