Oxytree wood has been gaining popularity in recent years. The topic is still somewhat new, so we’ll try to shed some light on it. Will Oxytree wood be suitable for holiday cabins? A manufacturer who stays on top of trends will certainly consider such a possibility. As a respected producer of wooden houses, we’ve also taken an interest in the subject, because the quality of the wood we offer to our Clients matters a great deal to us.
What is Oxytree wood and where did it come from?
Oxytree wood was developed by Spanish scientists. It is a cross between two pioneer tree species from Asia: Paulownia elongata and Paulownia fortunei. These trees drew scientists’ attention due to their low life requirements and exceptionally rapid mass growth. Through in vitro hybrids, a new species was created that still retains low life requirements and large growth rates. At the same time, it does not reproduce from seeds nor spread through its root system, making it less invasive than Paulownia trees. Oxytree plantations can be found in many parts of the world, including Poland, where it is tested for its performance as a breathable tree in our climate. Increasingly, wooden structures made from Oxytree are also appearing, including holiday cabins. A manufacturer of wooden constructions, including timber-frame houses and Canadian-style houses, who tracks current trends, surely already knows this wood. We have decided to take a closer look at it as well.
Why is Oxytree wood so special?
Oxytree is a non-invasive broadleaf tree that boasts many notable features. It is a hardy, low-maintenance plant that tolerates temperatures from -25°C to +45°C. It grows very well on well-drained soils, so it can be planted on fallow land and barren plots; however, it requires substantial water, linked to its rapid growth—if groundwater levels are too low, irrigation may be necessary. Noteworthy is Oxytree’s carbon dioxide absorption ability: it can bind up to ten times more CO2 than our native beech. With its enormous, often 40 cm+ wide leaves, Oxytree produces impressive amounts of oxygen. This is where the name of the new species comes from—Oxytree, meaning “oxygen tree”—a species that may become our ally in the fight against smog.
Oxytree wood - a chance for wooden constructions?
Due to the very rapid growth of the oxygen-producing tree, Oxytree wood is seen with great potential. In many opinions, it is a species of the future that many timber house manufacturers will appreciate. Oxytree reaches 18 metres in height just six years after planting, with a trunk diameter of about 30–40 cm. This wood is already ready for further processing, but that is not the end of a single Oxytree seedling. After felling, the oxygen-producing tree regrows and is ready for harvest again after another four years. It is reported that such regrowth cycles can be at least four.
Applications of Wood from Oxytree
According to Carbon Solutions, a company established to commercially utilise the Spanish researchers’ work, Oxytree wood is light in colour with a yellow-white hue. Its structure and colour are most similar to ash. It does not contain knots, making it smooth and clean, and easy to work with, so it can be glued, painted, and varnished without issue. Every wood construction producer will likely appreciate that Oxytree wood is lightweight and has good thermal insulation properties, while remaining flexible and resistant to warping, so it does not shrink or deform. It is also said to be water-resistant and highly resistant to wood pests, and it dries quickly. Many producers of Canadian-style houses or other wooden homes may be rubbing their hands already, but in our view it is best to wait before drawing hasty conclusions.
Cechy drewna Oxytree
According to Carbon Solutions, this is an excellent structural timber that will perform well in the manufacture of fittings, structural and cladding elements, and even furniture. Wood from Oxytree is used for boards and panelling, as well as pallets and finishing components. It is used to manufacture not only furniture but also various sports equipment and even musical instruments. Can you build holiday cabins from it? A timber-construction manufacturer will probably do so without a problem, but it is difficult at this moment to determine how this wood will look after several or several dozen seasons. Oxytree is currently fashionable timber, but it is hard to predict whether it will remain so in 5, 10, or 15 years.
Applications of Wood from Oxytree
In accordance with applicable regulations, even small garden pavilions with light construction can be built without notification and a permit. This applies to structures without enclosed walls and foundations. When planning such a construction, it is worth taking the plan to the office and asking for details to be sure that the building will not be treated as self-built construction.
Oxytree wood in Drewnolandia?
It is still too early to speculate whether Oxytree wood will truly be a salvation for Polish and global wooden constructions. It is a rather new topic in Poland, and time will tell whether it is truly worthy of attention. For now, Drewnolandia does not plan to switch proven materials for new ones. As a recognised market producer of wooden houses and other wooden structures, we do not chase fleeting trends or test novelties on our Clients, because they, as end users, could suffer most from ill-judged decisions. We do not rule out introducing Oxytree wood in the future, but only after confirming its quality and durability over time. High durability and resistance to environmental factors are traits that distinguish our holiday cabins. A trustworthy timber-frame house producer is one that does not experiment with materials at the expense of its clients, but relies on proven solutions.