Paulownia short rotation coppice: yields, density, cycles and biomass releases
Direct answer: paulownia TCR is feasible, but yields vary greatly depending on the site. Without deep soil and water management at start-up, growth quickly stalls. The most frequent use is as biomass (wood chips), sometimes with a secondary use.
The key point in TCR: density x water x control of the first 24 months.
Europe’s benchmark for short rotation (poplar/sapling): often 5 to 18 t of dry matter per hectare per year, depending on conditions.
Paulownia can do very well on a favorable site, but you shouldn’t reason without specifying the inputs (water, fertilization).
TCR: definition and uses
Short-rotation coppicing consists of planting fast-growing trees ( ) and then cutting them down to produce shoots. The trees are then harvested at short intervals.
The most common output is biomass energy in the form of wood chips, sometimes pellets or panels, depending on the local industry. The economics of the system are based on three points: productivity, harvesting costs and farm-gate price.
Why consider paulownia for CRT?
- Rejection after recutting possible depending on taxon and pipe.
- Rapid biomass production on favorable sites.
- Possibility of secondary recovery depending on the sector.
The key is to match site x water x pipe.
What really changes the results
- Deep, draining, non-phyxiating soil.
- Water available at start-up if spring or summer is dry.
- Clean weeding over 24 months.
- Harvesting logistics and clarified debouching before planting.
In most cases, the problem is a dropout in the 1st or 2nd year.
Yields: key figures + downloadable table
Figures are used to calibrate expectations. They are highly sensitive to inputs (irrigation, fertilization), to plant material, climate and start-up quality.
Useful orders of magnitude
- Short rotation in Europe (reference poplar and willow): often 5 to 18 tons of dry matter per hectare per year, depending on conditions.
- Paulownia: very high values are found in favorable trials, but results in the field can be very different.
- If irrigation and fertilization: there are documented cases with high levels (e.g. Spain under intensive conditions).
If you want to reason economically, don’t just look at yield: also look at the distance to the outlet, the moisture content of the chips, and the harvest window (bearing capacity).
| Country or region | System | Species or taxon | Planting density (plants per hectare) | Rotation or age | Yield | Unit | Measurement | Inputs and conditions | Notes | Source | Reliability level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe (summary) | SRC / short rotation biomass | Paulownia spp. | around 1200 to 2000 | rotation 3 to 4 years | IQR approx. 0.8 to 9.9 (min. approx. 0.5; max. approx. 25.4) | tonnes of dry matter per hectare per year | synthesis and modeling | high variability depending on water, soil, pipework | useful for framing expectations, to be contextualized | merriman et al 2025 (review) | elevee |
| Germany (Baden-Württemberg) | short rotation biomass | paulownia tomentosa | unspecified | historical report (test site) | up to 30 | tonnes of dry matter per hectare per year | annual dry biomass | favorable test site (Augustenberg) | maximum value quoted, to be read as a favorable case | LWF aktuell 96 2013 (ref 1996) | medium to high |
| Poland (experimentation) | planting (3 years) | paulownia tomentosa (13 accessions) | unspecified | 3 years | 0,13 a 5,11 | tons dry matter per hectare (at 3 years) | aerial dry biomass | local conditions, genetic variability | shows wide dispersion in the installation phase | litwinczuk et al 2025 | elevee |
| Italy (north) | planting after pruning | paulownia spp. | unspecified | 0 to 3 years after harvesting | qualitative | unquantified | relative productivity comparison | climate plaine du Po | productivity comparable to robinia, inferior to the best poplar-willow clones | jakubowski et al 2022 | elevee |
| France (summary) | Biomass with short canopy | paulownia spp. or hybrids | depending on conduct | pruning every 3 to 4 years | 200 to 500 cubic metres per hectare per cycle | cubic meters per hectare per cycle | wood volume | depends on pipe and water | to be converted into tons according to density and humidity | CNPF IDF 2025 | elevee |
| Spain (Extremadura) | biomass under intensive conditions | paulownia clones | unspecified | 3-year cycle | 24.3 per cycle (approx. 8.1 per year) | tons dry matter per hectare (cycle and annual) | total dry biomass | irrigation + fertilization + weeding | a good spot if the water is safe | berdon et al 2017 (cited by CNPF IDF) | elevee |
| Germany (comparison benchmark) | KUP short rotation | poplar and willow | example: 10,000 | 3 years (sample calculation) | about 11 to 13 | tonnes anhydrous dry matter per hectare per year | yield level used in technical calculation | depends on site | useful as a biomass reference in Europe | technical brochure KUP Germany | elevee |
Columns are deliberately stable to facilitate comparison and export. If you like, I can also provide you with a “simplified” 6-column table version for readers in a hurry.
Technical itinerary: density, root stocking, water, weeding
1) Choice of plot
- Soil: deep, draining. Avoid waterlogged soils.
- Cold: avoid frosty bottoms. Late frost can break the momentum.
- Wind: limit drying wind (windbreaks if possible).
To choose your location and constraints (networks, neighborhood, distances): or plant the paulownia.
2) Density and spacing
In biomass, density aims to close the canopy quickly and produce volume per hectare. The tighter the plant, the greater the need for water and weed control.
A pragmatic reference point
- Biomass platelets: rather high density, mechanized harvesting, short cycles.
- Industrial wood: lower density, larger diameter, longer cycles.
Planting schedule and risk of late frost: when to plant paulownia.
3) The first 24 months: the zone of truth
- Clean weeding (otherwise competition and stripping).
- Repeat watering if spring is dry.
- Game protection if required.
To put these points into a realistic perspective in France: paulownia growth in France.
4) Discharge and waste management
Receiving is controlled: period, cutting height, and choice of number of shoots to retain. In biomass, we accept more stems. To aim for cleaner sections, we select.
See: paulownia and risk of invasiveness.
5) Wafer collection and logistics
- Harvest on dry soil (otherwise costs and damage).
- Controlling humidity: fresh chips are often damp, which penalizes transport and energy value.
- Aligning the filler with specifications: particle size, humidity, delivery schedule.
Compare poplar and willow
In biomass, poplar and willow are references in Europe. They are better documented, itineraries are more standardized, and harvesting is often better equipped. Paulownia may be appropriate on certain sites, but it needs to be matched to the outlet and local constraints.
Poplar and willow assets
- Lots of field feedback and references.
- Pad chain often more “standard”.
- Relatively predictable yields if site adapted.
Where paulownia can be placed
- Hot spots with water available.
- Seeking to diversify uses.
- Agroforestry approach with biomass valorization.
When paulownia TCR is a bad idea
Common situations
- Heavy, waterlogged, asphyxiating soils.
- No water available on two dry lands.
- Frosty lowlands (recurrent late frost).
- Blurred or too far away.
- Acces parcelle complicates (bearing capacity, proximity, constraints).
If you also want to make use of off-cuts or thinning: paulownia firewood.
Useful Paulownia guides
Our plants
For a coherent TCR, driving is as important as variety. We can help you frame density, cycles and constraints.
FAQ
What yields to expect from paulownia RCT in France
This depends above all on the site and inputs. In short rotation in Europe, poplar and willow references often range from 5 to 18 tons of dry matter per hectare per year, depending on conditions. The paulownia can perform well on a favorable site, but you have to think in terms of the water available and the quality of the start-up.
Which rotation for a paulownia TCR
In biomass, harvesting cycles of 3 to 4 years are often quoted. The shorter the cycle, the more solid the harvesting and storage logistics.
What is the priority for success?
The first 24 months: weeding, recovery, water management and protection if necessary. Stunting at the start pays off over the whole cycle.
Is paulownia compatible with responsible management?
Yes, as long as you manage the layout, borders and regrowth according to the context. See the guide: paulownia et risque d’invasivite.
