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New Source For World's Fastest-Growing Hardwood
Hundreds of readers responded to previous articles on the amazing Empress SplendorÖ hardwood trees that produce usable lumber in 7 to 10 years, reaching heights of 50 ft. or more in that time. Leaves on the hybrids measure 2 to 3 ft. across.
  Unfortunately, a few readers had bad buying experiences with the original sources we quoted. So we decided to go directly to the exclusive supplier of Empress trees. Wendy Burton, founder of World Tree Technologies in Scottsdale, Arizona, says, "We're trying to clear up a few huge misconceptions that some dealers have put out there. The truth is that Empress Splendor trees are not invasive. They're actually sterile and their tap roots go straight down to the water table. They will not damage pipes or foundations. Deer do not ælove' the leaves but will eat them if there is no other vegation around."
  Burton works with hundreds of farmers who have started cash cropping hardwoods, or are considering it. She says some farmers process the lumber with their own portable mills. The wood dries well in open air with no need for a kiln. "An acre of Empress trees will produce approximately $90,000 worth of lumber at a rate of 300 trees per acre, planted on a 12 by 12 grid. Under the right conditions, a minimum of 30,000 board feet of lumber can be produced per acre after just 7 years. And because Empress trees will regenerate from the stump up to 7 times after harvest, you won't have to replant for 50 years or more."
  The trees can also be planted on a tighter grid for biomass production or for carbon capture programs.
  For optimum growth, Empress trees are recommended for zones 6 to 11, but Burton says trees are now growing successfully in Canada. They'll survive temps down to 10 degrees below zero and up to 120 degrees.
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, World Tree Technologies, Inc., 9943 E Bell Rd., Scottsdale, Ariz. 85260 (ph 888 693-8733 or 480 948-0188; www.worldtreetech.com).


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2009 - Volume #33, Issue #2