In Luengchou, Kwangsi Autonomous Region, a tropical area where wood rots easily, we saw some Paulownia boards which had been soaked in water for ten years and used to make a coffin had lasted more than 30 years without decay. A coffin made of Paulownia wood more than 200 years ago was unearthed in Luechan County, Hupeh Province and was found to be in good condition. In addition, from the Szechuan Provincial Research Institute of Forestry, in Hong Ya Forestry Farm, it was reported that Paulownia and many other tree species were left in the forest following felling. After 15 - 16 years, the other trees were completely rotten but Paulownia wood only decayed around 1 cm. depth on the surface. However, experiments by the Chinese Academy of Forestry produced a conflicting result that Paulownia wood is not rot-resistant.
More data is required.
This property of Paulownia wood is convenient for wood processing and can save the expense of artificial drying. A comer of the timber yard in Sui County, Henan Province. There was a serious shortage of timber in the past but they are more than self-sufficient in timber today. Logs are air dried. Traditional musical instruments made of Paulownia wood.