Paulownia is a deciduous fast-growing tree from Paulowniaceae family. Due to fast growth and general usage of wood, it has also been planted in Slovenia in recent years, largely also in Bela Krajina region. To determine the actual growth of young trees and plantations of Paulownia in Bela krajina, 3 plantations with 5 study objects of 7–14 a were studied in the municipality of Metlika. Before and after the end of the 2019 growing season, the diameter and height of each sampled tree were measured, additionally some other tree characteristics were assessed. Soil sampling was performed in two study objects (Lokvica and Križevska vas). Paulownia trees grew very fast: the highest average height increment of trees within an object was 2.8 m, the largest average diameter increment 4.4 cm, the average basal area increment 0.011 m2 and the average volume increment 0.12 m3. The highest stand volume increment was 77 m3/ha in the Lokvica study object. Trees grew faster in soils with a lower proportion of clay and a higher proportion of silt. The results of the research show a very fast growth of Paulownia and much larger increments compared to the main tree species of Slovenian forests.
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