The selective breeding of Paulownia in the 1970s and 1980s was mainly focused on growth rate and adaptability. Along with the comprehensive use of Chinese Paulownia wood and the continuous improvement and development of processing technologies, it became apparent that the old generation of the cloned line could not meet the requirements of the modern times. Today’s selective breeding not only focuses on growth rates and adaptability, but also on improving the quality of wood and overcoming problems in processing and use.

Shan Tong is a new generation of artificially crossed Paulownia species that were grown during 11 years of research. They were obtained by artificially crossing P. tomentosa Steud and P. Fortunei Hemsl on the basis of selective improvements in seed sources. This achievement was evaluated by the Department of Forestry of Shanxi of China. It was awarded the science prize on the progress of Shanxi, introduced into national scientific and technological achievements and passed through an examination organized by the highest committee on China’s subtle forest diversity, which reaches the leading level of similar studies in the world. The successful study of Paulownia by artificially crossing P. tomentosa Steud and P. fortunei Hemsl was of great importance all over the world.

Shan Tong is the newest and improved version of Paulownia developed at China, which has the following advantages in comparison with other species of Paulownia: rapid growth, strong resistance to diseases and insect pests, greater resistance to drought and cold, large volume of wood produced, good quality, large conservation of the land area due to the narrow crown, exceptional adaptability, strong ability to restore, etc.

Fast Growth Rate
In accordance with the comparative test, in the forests grown under identical conditions during seven years, the average individual volume of Shan Tong is greater than the volume of No. 1 Yuza (artificially crossed species of the old generation) by 63.78%. In the semi-arid regions of western China, the diameter of Shan Tong species, grown during seven years, reached 35 centimeters. Its growth rates, especially in the early period, are at the leading level. Rapid growth rate will shorten the felling period, and will also increase the volume of wood obtained.