Media release no.
25 May 2001 Farmers or investors considering alternative agricultural enterprises should study the market prospects and environmental requirements of new crops very carefully, Agriculture Western Australia has warned. Dr Peter Taylor said tree farming investment projects were frequently advertised at this time of year in order to appeal to investors. But he said sometimes the growth rates of new species under Western Australian conditions proved disappointing. This deciduous tree is capable of very high growth rates under favourable conditions, but can struggle to perform in a climate with hot dry summers. International research showed that paulownia required deep, well drained soils and high summer rainfall or irrigation, as well as high summer humidity.