Silva Tree

Dry Season Planting of Great Significance

Updated on Thursday 25th of February 2010

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It is unusual to plant a tree in Panama's blistering dry season as most species succumb to the drought and extreme temperatures experienced from December to April. Paulownia, however, is a robust tropical species that resists drought and, as long as properly acclimatised, will survive the hottest temperatures.

Paulownia does require irrigation during the first few weeks of its life, which is why water wells are being built by Silva Tree in the Princess Project area. The wells also serve local communities as a supply of fresh drinking water during these difficult months.

The latest delivery of seedlings will acclimatise for approximately 3 weeks, a longer period than usual because of the higher temperatures felt during this time of year. During this acclimatisation period, the seedlings will need regular watering of up to twice a day, a process which is labour intensive considering the great number of plants that require maintenance. They will then be planted in the Princess Project plantation and watered relatively infrequently.

This dry season planting is of particular relevance to Silva Tree because it serves as a part of their experimental joint venture with the Panamanian department of environment, ANAM. The government is looking for a tree species that can survive in the toughest conditions, and Silva Tree are working with them to see if the Paulownia tree could be used for widespread reforestation in degraded Panamanian land. The dry season planting which is currently occurring within the Princess Project will be included in the experimental data compiled as an important part of the Silva Tree/ ANAM joint research project.

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